The short‑eared brushtail possum is a nocturnal, forest‑dwelling marsupial from eastern Australia. It is a robust animal with thick grey to dark‑grey fur and comparatively small rounded ears. During the day it usually shelters in tree hollows or dense cover, then emerges at night to move through the canopy and down onto the forest floor to feed.
Closely related to other brushtail possums, it was historically treated within a “mountain brushtail” complex before being recognised as a distinct species. Although it is generally assessed as Least Concern, local populations can still be influenced by habitat fragmentation and road mortality, especially where forests are dissected by infrastructure.
Taxonomy and naming
This species is a marsupial in the order Diprotodontia, family Phalangeridae, genus Trichosurus. The scientific name is Trichosurus caninus. Common names include Short‑eared Brushtail Possum and Short‑eared Possum.
Physical features
Short‑eared brushtail possums are stocky and thick‑furred, typically grey to dark grey with relatively little colour variation compared with the common brushtail possum. The ears are rounded but smaller, which is one of the easiest field clues. The tail is long, bushy and almost body‑length, and the underside near the tip may be less furred, helping with grip. Scent glands under the chin, on the chest and near the anal area are used for marking and communication; the chest gland generally produces a clear secretion rather than staining the fur.
Range and habitat
They occur in eastern Australia, mainly in moist forest landscapes from south‑eastern Queensland through eastern New South Wales into eastern Victoria. They are most associated with wetter forests, including tall eucalypt forest and rainforest edges, where dense understorey and hollow‑bearing trees provide shelter. Day roosts are typically in tree hollows or protected cavities; at night the animals often forage on the ground among shrubs and fallen logs as well as in the canopy.
Behavior and activity
Individuals are usually solitary and territorial. Home ranges can overlap—especially between males and females—but boundaries are maintained with vocalisations and scent marking. Being nocturnal, they spend daylight hours resting in hollows and become active after dark. When threatened they readily climb to escape, and they are also capable swimmers if they need to move through water to avoid danger.
Diet
The diet is mainly herbivorous and includes leaves, buds and shoots from shrubs and trees, plus fruit and bark. They also eat fungi and may take insects occasionally. Because much foraging happens around fallen timber and low shrubs, they can influence seed dispersal and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
Reproduction and life cycle
Breeding may involve multiple mating opportunities where ranges overlap, though seasonal pair formation has also been suggested. Females have a very short gestation of about 15–17 days and typically produce a single young. The joey remains in the pouch for the first months, then continues to depend on the mother while learning to forage and navigate the home range. Average wild lifespan is around 7 years, with a recorded maximum of about 17 years.
Relationship with people
Unlike the highly urban‑adapted common brushtail possum, this species is more strongly tied to wetter forests and is less frequently seen in cities. In forested landscapes, however, night movement can bring animals onto roads, increasing the risk of vehicle strike. In some plantation settings, bark stripping or browsing may cause localized concern.
Conservation status and threats
The short‑eared brushtail possum is generally listed as Least Concern (LC). Even so, forest clearing and fragmentation can reduce hollow availability and increase exposure to roads and predators. Practical conservation focuses on retaining hollow‑bearing trees, maintaining connected moist‑forest habitat, and reducing road‑kill risk in known crossing areas.
