Update 6th May 2018

Tarzan is becoming less tolerated by Sasha. A month ago he was able to tear food out of her mouth, but now she bites him and chases him off if she sees him eating food in her vicinity.

Tarzan - 23^rd April 2018

Update 18th May 2017

I'll start with a picture of Raffi again.

Raffi - 3^rd May 2017

Raffi is in good health and looks as if he might grow into a big possum; although you can't see in in the photo, he seems to have very long legs.

Update 20th Apr 2017

I'll start with a picture of Raffi.

Raffi - 14^th Apr 2017

Raffi is a cute little possum and normally a young brushtail like him would have featured more prominently on this blog. Unfortunately he's been overshadowed by the recent ringtail drama.

Update 8th Apr 2017

About two weeks ago, there was a visitation by a 2 m carpet python. At that time, the possums, who had previously been visiting regularly (often as many as five possums would appear together at 6:40 pm) went into hiding. I had been waiting for them to reappear before posting again - or at least that's my excuse for not posting in a while.

I am pleased to report that, since Niva reappeared yesterday, all of the regular possums (except for Mischa, who was expected to leave the area sometime soon and has grown into a big strong possum, so is unlikely to have been eaten)  have now been accounted for. It makes sense that Niva, who is the smallest of the possums, and an easy meal for a python, would remain in hiding the longest.

I would also like to mention, in case anyone's wondering, that cyclone Debbie [I'm disappointed they missed the opportunity to name it Donald] didn't affect Possum TV. There were no strong winds here and only about a day and a half of continuous, but not particularly heavy, rain. We are too high up for flooding, so the main effect was that the possums had an unpleasant couple of nights out in the wet.

Here is Niva on the night of her return in a typical acrobatic pose. She can twist around nearly 180° in this position.

Niva - 7^th April 2017

When Niva reappeared, Wasabi was watching over her. It has been interesting to see how Koji (her older brother) and Wasabi (her father) have been taking turns taking care of her.

Update 9th Feb 2017

Ruby's babies have been named Nebo and Niva. Their genders are unknown, and at this stage (like with Koji and Keeta), they can be told apart by the length of the white tip on their tails. Nebo has the longer white tip.

Niva and Nebo back-riding on Ruby with Koji at top right - 30^th Jan 2017

Ruby and her babies are often seen with Koji. Keeta (Koji's twin) hasn't been seen for a while.

Update 25th Dec 2016

The brushtails are all present and healthy. The ringtails have been visiting less often, with only Ruby, Koji and Wasabi having been seen in the past few days.

Mischa - 13^th Dec 2016 [Photo by Xesce]

Mischa is doing well and seems to be evading attacks by the larger possums. His eye wound is now only barely visible.

Update 19th July 2016

Sasha, Farley, Wasabi and Ruby have been visiting fairly regularly. Maple has been seen a couple of times, and Toto has also visited a few times recently. Flynn hasn't been seen for a considerable time and has probably left the area. It's a very dangerous time for young possums when they leave to find their own homes and I wish him all the best.

Farley - 16^th July 2016

Farley has been picking up a few pluckings and scratches, which is normal for him. Luckily there hasn't been any sign of infection.

Update 13th June 2016

All of the usual brushtails - Sasha, Farley, Toto and Flynn - are still visiting. As far as the ringtails go, Ruby is still visiting, Maple is often seen with her and Wasabi has started visiting again. On one occasion Maple may have visited with Wasabi.

Maple - 1^st June 2016 [Photo by Xesce]

Maple is a very active little ringtail, leaping around the trees like a little Ninja.

Update 28th Feb 2016

Recently, Wasabi and Ruby brought their babies (who have been named Maple and Clover) to the house.

Wasabi (left), Ruby (right) and Maple (back-riding) - 17^th Feb 2016 [photo by Xesce]

Maple rode on Ruby's back, but Clover stayed in a nearby tree, making faces at the other possums.

Update 10th Feb 2016 - Introducing Flynn

Sasha's baby has been named Flynn.

Flynn - 9^th Feb 2016

Flynn is now at the stage where he is starting to take food from hand.

Wasabi's Second Stay in Hospital

Wasabi has had to go to hospital again. It was the same problem as last time - an infected wound on his tail - and like last time he was treated successfully and released.

Wasabi's hospital room

I'll document what happened in (moderate) detail for the benefit of anyone who might be looking at treating possums. I'll concentrate on what I did differently to last time, so if you haven't already seen Wasabi's first stay in hospital, I'd recommend reading this first to get a full picture of the process.

Update 10th May 2015

Kiki, Toto, Comet, Farley, Sasha, Wasabi and Tilda are all currently visiting. In addition, a mother ringtail (probably Ruby) and her baby have been seen close to the house several times, having apparently been encouraged to visit by Wasabi. Once Wasabi brought the baby to the house himself; he is a good father and willing to share parenting duties.

Sasha - 7^th May 2015

There is still a possum in the ceiling, and I am not sure whether this is Sasha. 

Wasabi pays a visit

For the first time since October last year, Wasabi has come to visit. He's been seen around a few times since then but this the first time he's actually come to visit the humans.

Wasabi - 17^th Feb 2015

Earlier in the night a mother and baby ringtail were seen in the trees (unfortunately too far away to photograph), so Wasabi might have been in the area keeping an eye on them. Wasabi is a responsible father.

Update 17th Jan 2015

Kiki is doing well. The latest baby (her 12^th!) is now bulging her pouch significantly.

Kiki (with the mystery orange powder in evidence) - 8^th Jan 2015

Kiki hasn't been seen in any of the boxes for quite a while, but going by past form, we might see her come into Box 7 before too much longer. Last year, Kiki's baby (Oz) made his first appearance in Box 7 on Australia Day, and her latest baby will now be at a similar stage of development. So it's worth keeping your eye on the box cameras.

Update 23rd Dec 2014

Wasabi was seen a bit over a week ago, looking very healthy.

Wasabi feasting on flowers - 12^th Dec 2014

Although it was nearly two months since he was last seen, he wasn't interested in visiting the humans. The reason for this soon became apparent.

Update 2nd Oct 2014

Although still just a little ball of fluff, Comet is very independent and adventurous. He often goes off on his own and on several occasions has visited the house by himself.

Comet - 18^th Sept 2014

He looks to be at least as independent as his older brother Oz (who, by the way, hasn't been seen since he left home early in August).

Update 13th Sept 2014 - Comet back-riding

Comet is now fully out of the pouch and back-riding. Here is a photo from his first visit to the house.

Comet riding on Kiki's back - 7^th Sept 2014

Update 29th Aug 2014 - First photo of Kiki's new baby, Comet

Kiki's latest baby has been named Comet. He (I'm not 100% sure, but he looks like a male in the box camera footage) seems to be a particularly energetic little possum. I managed to take his photo when he put his head out of the nestbox yesterday.

Comet - 28^th Aug 2014

Comet is now leaving the nestbox riding on Kiki's back, but returns to the pouch before Kiki visits the house. He will be back-riding for longer periods every night from now on, and will become less and less energetic when he returns to nestbox.

Update 1st August 2014

There has been hardly any change since the last update. This counts as good news because it means everyone is still healthy and happy. Kiki, Oz and Wasabi are still visiting regularly. Dexter, Prok and various ringtails are also around, but none are any closer to tolerating human company.

Oz - 31^st July 2014

Oz continues to monopolise Box 7.

Update 17th July 2014

Kiki, Oz and Wasabi have been visiting regularly. Dexter and Prok have been seen around the place but still shun human company.

Kiki - 15^th July 2014