Scaly-tailed possum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scaly-tailed possum |
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The scaly-tailed possum (Wyulda squamicaudata) is a special animal found only in northwestern Australia. It lives in a rocky area called the Kimberley. These possums are light grey with short ears and a short nose.
Their most unique feature is their tail. It's mostly hairless and covered in rough, rasp-like scales. This strong tail can curl around tree branches, helping the possum hold on tightly while it looks for food. It's so strong it can even hold the possum's whole weight! Scaly-tailed possums like to live in rocky places with lots of thick vines and fruit trees, which are a big part of their diet.
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Discovering the Scaly-tailed Possum
The scaly-tailed possum was first introduced to the world in 1918. A biologist named Wilfred Backhouse Alexander discovered this new species. He worked at the Western Australian Museum at the time.
Alexander shared his findings with the Royal Society of Western Australia. His description included a painting by George Pitt Morison. There were also photos of the possum's skull. The first possum studied came from Violet Valley Station in the Kimberley region.
Alexander gave the possum a new scientific group, or genus, called Wyulda. He got this name from an Indigenous word. The people near Lyons River used "weeoolda" for a common possum in their area.
Besides "scaly-tailed possum," other names for this animal include ilangurra and yilangal. The Wunambal people of Mitchell Plateau use "yilangal."
What Does the Scaly-tailed Possum Look Like?
The scaly-tailed possum is a tree-dwelling animal. It has a strong, stocky body. Its head and body together are about 30 to 39 centimeters long. Its special tail is about 30 centimeters long. These possums usually weigh between 1.3 and 2.0 kilograms.
Their fur is light grey with brown spots on their upper body. It turns a reddish-brown color near the tail. A faint line runs down their back, from their tail to between their eyes. Their belly fur is creamy white. The base of their tail has some fur, but the rest of it is bare and covered in those unique rasp-like scales.
Scaly-tailed possums grow slowly. Females are ready to have babies when they are about two years old. At this age, they weigh around 1.1 kilograms. This is a bit less than a fully grown adult. Male and female possums are about the same weight.
This possum is related to other Australian animals. These include the cuscuses (Phalanger) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus).
You might confuse them with other possums. The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) has a fox-like face and a furry tail. It is also larger. Another rock-dwelling possum, the rock-haunting ringtail possum (Petropseudes dahli), has fur on only half its tail. It also has white patches near its ears.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
The scaly-tailed possum is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night. They usually live alone. They are shy and quiet when they are looking for food in trees or on rocks.
They are very good climbers. Their strong, prehensile tail helps them a lot. They can hang from a branch with their tail while reaching for leaves and other food.
Scaly-tailed possums have their babies during the dry season in northwestern Australia. This is usually between March and August. Sometimes, they might give birth a bit later. The baby possum stays in its mother's pouch for about 150 to 200 days. After that, it takes another eight months to become independent. Female possums can start having their own babies when they are two years old.
These possums mostly live in dense wooded areas. But they might also look for food in open spaces. Their diet mainly includes leaves, seeds, roots, and flowers from plants. They also eat nuts and insects. Studies have shown that fruits make up most of their diet, sometimes up to three-quarters of what they eat.
Where the Scaly-tailed Possum Lives
The scaly-tailed possum lives in a small area. You can find them in the rainy coastal parts of the northern Kimberley. This is between Yampi Sound and Kalumburu. There is also a smaller group living inland in the eastern Kimberley, at Emma Gorge.
They are quite common in the Artesian Range. You can also find them on Bigge Island and Boongaree Island. These possums prefer sandstone woodlands. They find shelter in rock piles and cracks. They also feed in the trees.
They like areas with thick plants over rocks and boulders. These spots give them shelter during the day and protect them from fires. They prefer thick vines, not the open woodlands or mangrove areas that other possums like. The scaly-tailed possum's home is limited by how complex the rocky habitat is. This provides more safe places and protection from fires.
The first scaly-tailed possum ever found was in the eastern Kimberley, near Warmun. But most records of them are from the north-west of the region. For a long time, the 1917 discovery was the only record in the eastern Kimberley. But in 2010, they were found again at Emma Gorge in the Cockburn Range. It's possible that the eastern and north-western groups are separated.
Sadly, scaly-tailed possums have disappeared from some places. This is likely because of frequent and intense fires. Also, wild cats that hunt them are a problem.
Protecting the Scaly-tailed Possum
The scaly-tailed possum is listed as "near threatened" by the IUCN Red List. This means their population could become endangered if things don't improve. In 2014, it was estimated that there were between 5,000 and 10,000 scaly-tailed possums. However, their numbers seem to be going down. Efforts are being made to protect their unique habitat and help their population grow.
See also
In Spanish: Falangero de cola escamosa para niños
