<P> The common brushtail possum has a head and body length of 32--58 cm with a tail length of 24--40 cm . It weighs 1.2 - 4.5 kg . Males are generally larger than females . In addition, the coat of the male tends to be reddish at the shoulders . As with most marsupials, the female brushtail possum has a forward - opening, well - developed pouch . The chest of both sexes has a scent gland that emits a reddish secretion which stains that fur around it . It marks its territory with these secretions . </P> <P> The common brushtail possum is perhaps the most widespread marsupial of Australia . It is found throughout the eastern and northern parts of the continent, as well as some western regions, Tasmania and a number of offshore islands, such as Kangaroo Island and Barrow Island . It is also widespread in New Zealand since its introduction in 1840 . The common brushtail possum can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forests, semiarid areas and even cultivated or urban areas . It is mostly a forest inhabiting species, however it is also found in treeless areas . In New Zealand, possums favour broadleaf - podocarp near farmland pastures . In southern beech forests and pine plantations, possums are less common . Overall, brushtail possums are more densely populated in New Zealand than in their native Australia . This may be because Australia has more fragmented eucalypt forests and more predators . In Australia, brushtail possums are threatened by humans, tiger quolls, dogs, foxes, cats, goannas, carpet snakes and powerful owls . In New Zealand, brushtail possums are threatened only by humans and cats . </P> <P> The common brushtail possum can adapt to numerous kinds of vegetation . It prefers Eucalyptus leaves but will also eat flowers, shoots, fruits and seeds . It may also consume animal matter such as insects, birds' eggs and chicks, and other small vertebrates . Brushtail possums may eat three or four different plant species during a foraging trip, unlike some other arboreal marsupials, such as the koala and the greater glider, which focus on single species . The brushtail possum's rounded molars cannot cut Eucalyptus leaves as finely as more specialised feeders . They are more adapted to crushing their food which enables them to chew fruit or herbs more effectively . The brushtail possums' caecum lacks internal ridges and cannot separate coarse and fine particles as efficiently as some other arboreal marsupials . The brushtail possum cannot rely on Eucalyptus alone to provide sufficient nitrogen . Its more generalised and mixed diet, however, does provide adequate nitrogen . </P> <P> The common brushtail possum is largely arboreal and nocturnal . It has a mostly solitary lifestyle, and individuals keep their distance with scent markings (urinating) and vocalisations . Brushtail possums usually make their dens in natural places like tree hollows and caves but will also use spaces in the roofs of houses . While they sometimes share dens, brushtails normally sleep in separate dens . Individuals from New Zealand use many more den sites than those from Australia . Brushtail possums compete with each other and other animals for den spaces and this contributes to their mortality . This is likely another reason why brushtail possum population densities are smaller in Australia than in New Zealand . Brushtail possums are usually not aggressive towards each other and usually just stare with erect ears . Brushtail possums vocalise with clicks, grunts, hisses, alarm chatters, guttural coughs and screeching . </P>

What is the favorite food of a possum