Possum Pest Control

The possum is one of the greatest threats to our natural environment.

The possum (Trichosurus vulpecular) is an Australian marsupial that was introduced into New Zealand in 1837 to establish a fur trade. Possums have invaded over 90% of the country and are now estimated to number some 70 million. Today the possum poses one of the most serious threats to the environment and agriculture.

They are the most destructive pest of native forests and native birds, eating and killing trees and raiding bird nests for eggs and chicks.
The possum has a thick, bushy tail, thick body fur, a pointed snout and large, pointed ears. There are two colour forms of the species – grey and black, with many variations in appearance. Possums can walk, jump and bound and their prehensile tail helps them move around tree branches.

The size and weight of possums vary across New Zealand. Typically, adult possums are 65 to 95 cm long and weigh 1.5 to 5 kg.

The young possum is born between late March and early May after a 19-day pregnancy. The newborn baby is hairless, blind and very small. It crawls through its mother’s fur into her pouch where it stays, attached to a nipple, for 5 months. Reproductive maturity is reached when the possum is about two years old.