Possums come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny pygmy possum to the cat-sized common brushtail possum. If you’re wondering which possum species is the largest, you’ve come to the right place!

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The largest possum species is the common spotted cuscus, which can weigh up to 7.7 lbs and grow over 3 feet long including the tail.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the largest possum species, including their size, appearance, habitat, diet, and more. We’ll also overview other large possum species so you can get a complete picture of these fascinating marsupials.

The Common Spotted Cuscus is the Largest Possum Species

Average Size of the Common Spotted Cuscus

The Common Spotted Cuscus, scientifically known as Spilocuscus maculatus, is the largest species of possum. An adult Common Spotted Cuscus can reach a length of around 60-100 cm with a tail roughly the same length again. Their average weight ranges from 3-6 kg.

The females tend to be a bit smaller than the males on average.

To give some perspective on their size, the Common Spotted Cuscus is about the size of a house cat or a small-medium sized dog breed. They are much larger than the other possum species like Sugar Gliders which only reach about 15-20 cm in length.

Distinctive Features of the Cuscus

The Common Spotted Cuscus has thick, soft fur that is typically light grey or brown in color with obvious darker spots or blotches all over. Their fur helps camouflage them in the treetops. They have a round head with small ears and large eyes.

One of their most distinctive features is their prehensile tail which they use to securely grip branches. Their toes are also specialized for grasping and climbing. They move slowly and deliberately through the canopy.

Habitat and Range of the Cuscus

The Common Spotted Cuscus is native to tropical rainforests, lowland forests, and mangrove forests of northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and some neighboring smaller islands. They spend nearly their entire lives up in the trees.

Cuscuses play an important role in seed dispersal and pollination of these forests as they feed on leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers. Their habitat range is decreasing due to deforestation. Some conservation efforts are in place to replant and protect these forests.

Other Large Possum Species

The Common Brushtail Possum

The common brushtail possum is the second largest possum species after the common wombat. These nocturnal marsupials can reach up to 4 feet in length and weigh around 15 pounds. They have grayish brown fur, a bushy tail, and sharp claws that help them climb trees and grip branches.

The common brushtail possum is found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand where it was introduced. These adaptable animals inhabit forests, woodlands, urban parks, and even roof spaces. They are solitary and territorial, feeding on leaves, flowers, fruits and insects.

The common brushtail possum plays an important role in pollinating trees and dispersing seeds. Though not endangered, their populations have declined due to habitat loss. When confronted, they can become aggressive and bite or scratch to defend themselves.

The Greater Glider

The greater glider is Australia’s largest gliding possum with a body length up to 17 inches and weighing around 2 pounds. Their fur is thick and soft, ranging from gray to brown with white underparts. They have a long bushy tail, large eyes suited for night vision, and gliding membranes between their limbs.

True to their name, greater gliders are adept at gliding between trees, reaching distances over 150 feet! They inhabit eucalyptus forests along Australia’s eastern coast where they feed primarily on eucalyptus leaves. Greater gliders play an important role in seed dispersal for these trees.

Due to extensive habitat loss, greater gliders are now listed as vulnerable to extinction. Conservation efforts include preserving mature eucalyptus forests and building rope bridges between isolated forest patches to enable their movement and breeding.

The Common Ringtail Possum

The common ringtail possum is smaller than a domestic cat, with a body length of 12-18 inches and weighing only 1-3 pounds. It has soft gray fur, rounded ears, large eyes and a slender prehensile tail. This nocturnal folivore inhabits forests along Australia’s east and southeast regions.

The ringtail possum fills an important niche feeding on a specialized diet of leaves from a small range of eucalyptus and other trees. It rarely descends from the treetops and builds a nest called a drey to rest in during the day. Ringtails are territorial and solitary.

The major threat to their survival is massive deforestation that has destroyed their habitat and food sources. Their populations are in decline and the IUCN Red List classifies the common ringtail possum as near threatened.

Diet and Behavior of Large Possums

Herbivorous Diet

The largest possum species, including the common brushtail and ringtail possums, are primarily herbivorous and feed on a variety of plant matter (1). Their diet consists mainly of leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.

They particularly favor eucalyptus leaves and are important for dispersing the seeds of eucalyptus trees. Large possums also consume shoots, herbs, fungi, and insects to supplement their predominantly vegetarian diet (2).

Being herbivores allows them to inhabit a wide range of forest ecosystems across Australia and New Guinea.

Nocturnal Nature

All possum species are nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they are most active at night or during twilight hours (3). The largest possum species sleep in dens during the day to avoid predators and emerge at dusk to begin foraging.

Their excellent night vision and ability to grip branches with their opposable thumbs and prehensile tail make them well-adapted for navigating trees in darkness. Being nocturnal helps them avoid daytime predators like birds of prey.

It also enables them to take advantage of the cover of darkness while foraging for food.

Tree-Dwelling Lifestyle

Large possums like ringtails and brushtails lead an arboreal lifestyle, meaning they spend most of their time in trees (4). They are excellent climbers and can jump between trees and grip branches with ease thanks to their anatomical adaptations.

Their prehensile tails act as a fifth limb to give them extra grip and balance. They make nests called dreys in the forks of tree branches by weaving sticks and leaves together. Living in trees provides safety from ground predators and proximity to abundant food sources like leaves, flowers, and fruits.

However, deforestation and habitat loss threaten many arboreal possum species. Protecting forests and woodlands is crucial for conserving their tree-dwelling way of life.

Threats and Conservation Status

Deforestation and Habitat Loss

The greatest threat facing possums is the loss and fragmentation of their natural forest habitats due to human activities like logging, land clearing for agriculture, and urban development. An estimated 80% of the rainforests possums originally inhabited have already been destroyed.

Large-scale deforestation across Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea has severely depleted the old-growth forests that provide ideal possum habitat. With less suitable habitat, possum populations decline. Sadly, some species are now entirely limited to small pockets of remaining forest.

Forest fragmentation also impacts possums by isolating populations and increasing territorial conflicts. This makes them more vulnerable to stressors like food shortages, predators, and bushfires in their reduced territories.

Habitat connectivity is crucial for possums to disperse, breed, and maintain genetic diversity.

Predators and Road Mortality

Introduced predators like cats, foxes, and dogs take a heavy toll on possums. These swift hunters are very effective at catching and killing unsuspecting gliders and possums. Dingoes also prey on possums in Australia. And pet cats allowed outdoors readily kill possums at night.

Many possums fall victim to vehicle collisions as well when forced to traverse roads near their habitat. An estimated 4 million wild animals are killed annually on Australia’s roads alone. Their arboreal nature and slow-paced movement on the ground make possums especially susceptible.

The combination of shrinking habitat and mounting predation causes substantial mortality rates among some possum species. Their arboreal nature also makes injured or orphaned animals very difficult to rehabilitate and return to the wild successfully.

IUCN Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List provides valuable data on the population status and extinction risks for possums and gliders. Of the 59 evaluated Australian species, 10 are classified as Near Threatened, 7 as Vulnerable, and 4 as Endangered.

The Christmas Island Shrew Opossum is Critically Endangered with less than 100 left in the wild.

Conservation Status # of Possum Species
Least Concern 38
Near Threatened 10
Vulnerable 7
Endangered 4
Critically Endangered 1

Targeted conservation efforts are needed to protect the 21% of possums currently at risk. Preserving remaining habitat, connecting forest corridors, managing predators, and road mitigation can support populations.

But habitat loss remains the most critical factor for their future survival in the wild.

Conclusion

In summary, the largest possum species is the common spotted cuscus, which can grow over 3 feet long from head to tail and weigh up to 7.7 lbs. Other large possum species include the common brushtail possum, greater glider, and common ringtail possum.

These magnificent marsupials have adapted to thrive in forest ecosystems across Australia and New Guinea. However, habitat loss and other threats have made some species vulnerable. Understanding and protecting these unique animals is key to preserving possum diversity.

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