New Zealand Possum
By Dwyllis
9 Nov, 2011
10 likes
I have been enjoying the pics of the grey squirrels, so thought I would put up a pic of our NZ equivalent ... the possum. Very cute to look at, but those claws are super-sharp & it is a very destructive critter. Sadly, as it has no natural predators, it has multiplied to the extent that it is a very real threat to our native bird population, some of which are already close to extinction ... it will kill our lovely flightless native kiwi, which is an NZ icon, & many others. So it is considered to be a pest & as such, it is hunted or poisoned by the thousands .... the fur is incredibly soft & is now used in the production of winter clothing, as also very warm to wear .... possum fur is even knitted up into jerseys & is way more expensive than even the finest merino wool. It is sad when the balance of nature gets out of kiltre, causing human interference.
Comments on this photo
can you eat possum?
9 Nov, 2011
I`m sure you could make a tasty treat out of one sticki ha!ha!
9 Nov, 2011
just thought it might help the problem??!!
9 Nov, 2011
Not sure about eating possum, as I'm a vegetarian LOL. I haven't ever seen it on a menu anywhere, or in a supermarket. Kev ... they can be very nasty when threatened. Size-wise, they would be around the same as a medium-sized cat, or perhaps a little smaller, when fully grown. They mainly live in the bush, or the countryside, up trees, but will come into private gardens sometimes. Occasionally, people will find a very young one & will keep it as a pet, though I don't know anyone who has done that. The rare albino possum is quite lovely.
9 Nov, 2011
There really strange Dwyllis,to me there something you would expect to see at halloween or on a supernatural movie,I think there heads look a bit like a bat.
Thanks for info Dwyllis.
9 Nov, 2011
Poor possum lol. In NZ they are considered to be 'The Enemy' & the Govt is out to totally eradicate them .... but then I suspect if they ever became an endangered species due to all the hunting & poisoning of them, there will be a big outcry to save them. I personally don't have anything against them. A lot of them end up dead on the road, as they don't move very quickly. I remember when I was living in England over a decade ago, that people were saying the grey squirrel is a pest & was killing off all the lovely red squirrels. Nature really is about 'survival of the fitest' isn't it?
9 Nov, 2011
Are they nocturnal, Dwyllis?
14 Nov, 2011
Yes David, they are nocturnal. I sometimes see them scampering across the road when I come off duty at 11pm & am driving home.
15 Nov, 2011
Many Thanks for the reply, Dwyllis. Had seen Possums in the USA during a holiday, and always after dark, and same in Australia. Coincidentally, I am often walking down to my work carpark about that time, and get to enjoy Badgers foraging around. Still to get some pics, though. :-)
18 Nov, 2011
How amazing to see badgers in the wild, David. That must be just the biggest thrill ... or would be for me. I have only seen photos of them.
23 Nov, 2011
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Think I would sooner have the squirrels Dwyllis,them possums look quite nasty to me,how big are they Dwyllis & do they bite ?
9 Nov, 2011