Herbert River ringtail possum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Herbert River ringtail possum
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Diprotodontia
Family:	Pseudocheiridae
Genus:	Pseudochirulus
Species:	P. herbertensis
Binomial name
Pseudochirulus herbertensis (Collett, 1884)
Herbert River ringtail possum range
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The Herbert River ringtail possum (Pseudochirulus herbertensis) is a type of possum. You can find it in the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia. This possum is usually dark brown or black. Sometimes, it has a white belly.

For a long time, people thought the Herbert River ringtail possum was the same species as the cinereus ringtail possum (P. cinereus). However, they look quite different! These two possums are the only ones from their group (genus) that live in Australia. Most of their relatives are found in New Guinea. The Herbert River ringtail possum lives only in tropical rainforests. Its home stretches from Mount Lee (near Ingham) to the Lamb Range (near Cairns).

Challenges for the Herbert River Ringtail Possum

What do Herbert River Ringtails Eat?

The Herbert River ringtail possum mainly eats leaves that are full of protein. They also munch on other plants like pink bloodwood, cadaghi, bumpy satinash, and white basswood. Pink bloodwood and cadaghi are both types of Eucalyptus trees.

How Climate Change Affects Possums

Because these possums rely on Eucalyptus trees, scientists are worried about them. Ecologist John Kanowski believes the Herbert River ringtail possum is one of "seven rare marsupials" at risk from global warming. Global warming means the Earth's temperature is getting hotter.

Mr. Kanowski thinks that both the Herbert River ringtail possum and the Daintree River ringtail possum are in danger. As temperatures rise, these marsupials have to move higher up the mountains. This means they have less good habitat to live in.

The Problem with Carbon Dioxide

Scientists are also concerned about the increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the air. When there's more CO₂, it changes how trees grow and process their food (their metabolic process). This can change the amount of protein in their leaves. It also makes trees produce more tannins.

Tannins can make it hard for animals that eat leaves to digest protein. If there are too many tannins, they can even be poisonous! So, even though the Herbert River ringtail possum seems safe now, its strong link to the rainforest makes it easily harmed by anything that damages its home.