Western Ringtail Possum

Natural Shelter

They are known to adapt well in urban areas if given enough of an opportunity (such as controlling cats, providing habitat, and driving carefully). Western Ringtail Possusms build spherical drey made from leaves, grasses, and shredded bark. They build their dreys in the fork, hollow, or thick canopy of a tree. Several individuals may share the one nest.

Novel Shelter

Below is a habitat box template for Micro-bats. Ideally, install the box on a mature tree close to the main trunk or a thick horizontal limb. Speak with the local government or local Landcare before installing or maintaining a nestbox for Western Ringtail Possums. Before you build:

• Nest-boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
• Chipboard is okay, but degrade after a year of use.
• Hardier and untreated timber (i.e. Jarrah) will last longer and are less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
• Keep away from treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
• Avoid using metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder on the inside of the nest-box is much more suitable or grooved timber will work well.
• Maintenance is critical to ensure wildlife remain safe. Last thing you want is a side panel falling off with an animal or its young still living inside.
  

Providing natural sources of food

Ringtails predominantly eat the leaves of peppermint trees. Preserving mature peppermint trees in a garden is a critical first step in keeping them around the neighbourhood.They will occasionally browse on other plants from time to time. It is strongly discouraged to purposely provide them fruit and other food stuffs around the garden.

Providing sources of water

Ringtails will visit bird baths and other water sources available to them within the canopy. Avoid leaving water near the ground as this puts them in greater risk of cat, dog, or fox predation.