SPECIES: Pseudocheirus occidentalis — Western Ringtail Possum
CLASSIFICATION: Critically endangered
The Western Ringtail Possum, known in Noongar as Ngwayir, is a unique, cat-sized arboreal marsupial found only in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Sporting dark grey-brown fur, pale underparts, and a remarkably long tail with a white tip, this nocturnal leaf-eater is a forest specialist that feeds predominantly on peppermint, jarrah, and marri foliage. During the day, they rest in leafy nests called dreys or tree hollows, becoming active at night to forage.
Once widespread from Perth to Albany, its current distribution is now confined to fragmented coastal peppermint woodlands between Mandurah and Waychinicup and small inland reserves. The main drivers of decline are habitat loss and fragmentation from urban development, agriculture, and logging; predation by introduced foxes and cats; inappropriate fire regimes; and climate change.