Facts about Lumholtz's Ringtail Possum

1. 10

   Predation by introduced feral cats and habitat loss have reduced Lumholtz's ringtail possum populations by approximately 50 percent since the 1980s in northeastern Queensland.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14shareconservationthreatpopulation
2. 09

   Lumholtz's ringtail possum's curved toe pads contain specialized friction ridges that allow adhesion to wet bark and leaves, crucial for maintaining grip during rainforest humidity.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14shareanatomyadaptationrainforest
3. 08

   Lumholtz's ringtail possum produces loud, distinctive vocalizations including high-pitched screams and clicking sounds to communicate threats and establish territory within rainforest territories.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharebehaviorcommunicationbiology
4. 07

   In 1888, German naturalist Ernst Lumholtz first documented this species in the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, establishing scientific recognition of the animal bearing his name.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharehistorytaxonomynaturalist
5. 06

   During Queensland's dry season, Lumholtz's ringtail possum reduces its metabolic rate by up to 30 percent to conserve energy when food availability decreases.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharephysiologyadaptationmetabolism
6. 05

   Female Lumholtz's ringtail possums typically give birth to a single joey after a gestation period of approximately 28 days.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharereproductionbiologymammals
7. 04

   Social groups of Lumholtz's ringtail possums typically consist of 2 to 4 individuals sharing a communal nest built from leaves and bark in tree hollows.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharebehaviorsocialhabitat
8. 03

   Nocturnal foraging sessions of Lumholtz's ringtail possum focus primarily on eucalyptus leaves, which comprise up to 90 percent of their diet in northeastern Queensland rainforests.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14sharedietbehavioraustralia
9. 02

   Lumholtz's ringtail possums possess a prehensile tail comprising approximately 24 vertebrae, enabling them to navigate dense rainforest canopies with precision.

   Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 14shareanatomybehaviorlocomotion
10. 01

    Weighing only 1.5 to 3 kilograms, Lumholtz's ringtail possum inhabits the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia.

    Lumholtz's Ringtail PossumMay 13sharebiologymeasurementgeography