Habitat: Upland and lowland tropical rainforest and adjacent woodlands
Distribution: North Queensland from Mount Spec, near Townsville, to Iron Range in Wet Tropics Region and lowland New Guinea
Lifespan: 5 years
Conservation status: Listed as Least Concern in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
Main threats: Habitat loss and forest fragmentation caused by human activities
About
The striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata) is unmistakable due to its bold, skunk-like appearance, featuring striking black and white stripes along its body and a white-tipped tail. Its toes are elongated and slightly covered with fur.
In adults, transitions between black and white markings are more gradual, and the white areas tend to turn grey with age. This possum's distinctive bushy tail is much longer than its body, typically darker on top, with the tip being either black or white.
Other than their markings, striped possums possess several distinctive features: they have an elongated tongue and fourth finger, long incisors, and a rounded braincase.
Image: P&M Wildlife and Nature Photography
They also give off a strong sweet musty odour, but the reason for this is unknown.
Fun fact: Next time you hear croaking frogs in the rainforest, keep your eyes peeled for a striped possum. The mammals’ distress call is actually a series of 5-6 loud “croaks”. They also growl!
Behaviours
The striped possum is a shy, solitary creature that ventures out at night to feed on flowers, fruits, beetle larvae, and pollen. It is most easily located by the sounds it makes while chewing and drinking in the forest.
During the day, it rests on a bed of leaves inside a tree hollow or a clump of ferns. In areas with coconut palms, it's common to hear a commotion as the possum uses its chisel-like teeth to gnaw through leaves and bark in search of insects, causing shreds of leaves and trunk to fall to the ground.
It also bites into dead branches or fallen logs to find borers or grubs.
Image: Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises
Not much is known about the mating system of the striped possum, as it can be difficult to observe due to its shy nature and fast movements, but it seems there is intense rivalry among the males for breeding females.
They chase each other and when in close contact make threatening, raucous vocalizations. They mate in the dry season (between February and August in Australia, peaking in June to July), whereas in New Guinea, it is as early as January until as late as October.
Image: Tony's Tropical Tours
The females have well-developed pouches and bear one to two young, almost always two. There is no detailed information available about the development of the young or the age of sexual maturity. Once they are weaned, females continue to carry their offspring with them on their backs until they reach maturity.
Having a connected rainforest is crucial to the long-term survival of this species. You can help protect striped possum habitat in the Daintree. Find out how.