The Northern Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus arnhemensis) is a nocturnal marsupial

Marsupial

Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...

 inhabiting northern Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. It is closely related to the Short-eared Possum

Short-eared Possum

The Short-eared Possum is a species of marsupial in the Phalangeridae family. It is endemic to Australia.Found north of Sydney the species was once classed as a Mountain Brushtail Possum for which is its closest relative....

, Mountain Brushtail Possum

Mountain Brushtail Possum

The Mountain Brushtail Possum, or Southern Bobuck , is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae native to southeastern Australia...

, Coppery Brushtail Possum

Coppery Brushtail Possum

The Coppery Brushtail Possum is a species of marsupial possum in the family Phalangeridae. Coppery Brushtails are found within the Atherton Tablelands area of Queensland, in northeastern Australia. These mammals inhabit rainforest ecosystems, living within the tree canopy. Though they have a...

, and the Common Brushtail Possum

Common Brushtail Possum

The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...

, the other four species of its genus.

Appearance

Its fur is a grey in colour, with a white underbelly and pink skin. The Northern Brushtail Possum can grow up to 55cm in length, not including its tail, and are around the size of a small cat. Unlike its relatives and despite what its name suggests, the Northern Brushtail Possum does not have a bushy tail

Tail

The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...

.

Lifespan and reproduction

The Northern Brushtail Possum breeds year round, with a gestation period of around 17-18 days and pouch period of 4-5 months. It can live for up to 15 years.

Relationship with humans

The Northern Brushtail Possum is well adapted to rural and urban areas and is sometimes considered a pest in high numbers. Like other possum

Possum

A possum is any of about 70 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupial species native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi .Possums are quadrupedal diprotodont marsupials with long tails...

s, the Northern Brushtail Possum is rather tolerant of humans and can sometimes be hand fed, although it is not encouraged as their claws are quite sharp and can cause infection or disease to humans if scratched. The Northern Brushtail Possum is a traditional food source for some indigenous Australians.

Diet

The Northern Brushtail Possum eats a variety of plant matter, including fruit, leaves, flowers and seeds.