Brush-tail Possum
The Brush-tail Possum, Trichosurus vulpecular, is the most common marsupial in eastern Australia. The size and colour of the Possum varies from a copper colour to a silver-grey back with a white to pale grey belly. The tail is bushy, although the underside is partly bare with either a black or white tip. The brush-tails have large eyes with pointy, prominent ears.

The Possum is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) nocturnal animal that lives in hollow trunks and braches throughout open forests and woodlands however are often seen in cities. At night the possum will spend some time on the ground in search for fresh growth of trees. The brush-tail forms it diet mainly from leaves and supplemented with fruit and blossoms.

Breeding normally only one young in autumn, the young will stay in the pouch for 4-5 months and then remain with its mother for another 6-8 weeks in the nest or on the mums back. Possums are quite territorial and as a result the males can be heard hissing and screaming while they defend their territory.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
Brush-tailed possum / Silver-grey Possum	Trichosurus vulpecula	Brush-tail Possums
locations seen (17)  ..  habitats seen (6)  ..

Allied Rock-wallaby
The Allied Rock-wallaby, Petrogale assimilis, is common within the Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve. Weighing up to a maximum of 6kg and growing to 45-59cm body length and 45-54cm tail length they have a predominant grey-brown body colour that may alter, depending on the surrounding rock colour.

The Allied rock-wallaby may be found on steep rocky slopes, cliffs, gorges and rocky outcrops in open forests, normally covering a home range of approximately 9-11 hectares. Feeding on grass shoots, fruits, seeds and flowers the breeding pairs will often eat together while individuals prefer to eat with other individuals. Reaching sexual maturity at 23 months for males and 17.5 months for females, the Rock-wallaby breed continuously throughout the year forming monogamous pairs, although females may have extra-pair copulations.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
Allied Rock-wallaby	Petrogale assimilis	Kangaroos and Wallabies
locations seen (6)  ..  habitats seen (2)  ..

Koala
The Koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, is a large arboreal mammal measuring 70cm and weighing 6kg. Koalas are mainly nocturnal and are inactive for approximately 20 hours per day, a trait that allows for the digestion of eucalypt leaves.

Between the 1880s and 1930s, Australia’s koala population suffered massive declines due to bushfires, disease, habitat loss and hunting with millions of Koalas being killed for the international fur trade. Taking action against this many naturalists took koalas to island sanctuaries where their population could improve and at the same time develop a tourist venture. On Magnetic Island the District Inspector of Stock relocated 18 koalas from Bowen to the Island in 1932. The Magnetic island koala population is now several hundred and represents one of the largest and most concentrated populations in North Queensland.

Koalas Click to enlarge

Koalas

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
Koala	Phascolarctos cinereus	Koala
locations seen (3)  ..  habitats seen (1)  ..  documents (1)  ..