Possums eat the flowers off native trees, stealing food sources from New Zealand birds such as tui, bellbirds and kokako. Possums will also search and take cover in sheds or in old buildings, in the cavities within rocks, in brush piles, in hollow trees, or even fallen logs. Read more about this species Although mainly plant eaters, possums will raid birds’ nests and eat eggs and chicks. Possums eat roses and other garden plants > They will also live in our roof spaces, and given a chance become a general nuisance around homes and other buildings. In the southern In the 1980s, the possum population was at its highest - between 50 to 70 mill Tree hollows – to nest and sleep in safely. I have never seen them eat my palm trees, but they are nuts for water hyacinths. The disease is endemic in possums across about 38% of New Zealand (known as 'vector risk areas'). Possums are voracious eaters – in New Zealand they consume an estimated 21,000 tonnes of vegetation a night. Can be confused with: Possums, hares, goats and deer will also eat tree bark. It is probably the most important bird we have in New Zealand. This night cover is a handy way to protect edible plants such as herbs, dwarf citrus trees and strawberries along with roses, as possums are nocturnal so feed at night. weather and insect damage, and slowing their growth. Power poles and trees! They also disturb nesting birds, eat their eggs and chicks and may impact on native land snails. Their main prey are rats, mice, birds, rabbits, hares, possums and insects (particularly weta). Step one is to find out what possums do and do not like. They will also eat carrion and in particular, roadkill. In some areas they have eaten whole canopies of rata, totara, titoki, kowhai and kohekohe. Many people love cats, but most do not understand that these great hunters are estimated to kill up to 100 million birds in New Zealand each year. Lv 5. They have strong teeth and often use their front paws to hold their food while eating. What do possums like to eat? Today there are approximately 30 million possums in New Zealand. When possums find vegetation they like, they selectively gouge on that until it’s completely depleted. fail to regenerate under possum assault. Possums love: Eucalyptus leaves – are Ringtail Possums’ favourite food. They were brought over to kickstart a fur industry but they soon dominated New Zealand. In one night New Zealand’s possum population eats their way through nearly 12 tonnes of vegetation. Agriculture. tawa, northern and southern rātā, kohekohe, kāmahi and Hall’s Possums are opportunists and will eat the eggs of … The leaves are being stripped off them and the branches (including one graft) are being snapped off. Locusts are a large brown bean produced by trees and favoured by animals (and humans) for centuries. I have several large Phoenix Canariensis. Mustelids are weasels, stoats and ferrets. In particular, they prey on forest birds such as kiwi, kererū and kōkako. In particular, they prey on forest birds such as kiwi, kererū and kōkako. Lv 5. The possum’s diet also consists of Red Tulip Oak, Shinning-leafed Stinging Tree, False Stinger, Pepperwood, and Flame Kurrajong. Carob locust (Ceratonia silique) is literally chocolate for cows. They don't like those. Unlike koalas, brushtail possums are probably the only arboreal marsupials to feed on different types of plants during their foraging journey. They, and Brushtails, also eat flowers, fruits and veggies. What can I do about possums on top of my roof? It’s also really soft and luxurious and it helps New Zealand’s native species live to eat another day! Possums have poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell and hearing. Possums in the Australian or New Zealand garden can be a real nuisance. Possums are omnivores, and, as well as a wide range of leaves, they eat birds’ eggs, In New Zealand it is a widely known fact that possums are carriers of Bovine TB which humans can contract. Favourite answer. Since your name is Maori Girl, I take it you're in NZ? The growth and life-cycle of a tree or plant is significantly affected when all parts of it are eate… Possums are destroying New Zealand on two fronts. Provide waterproof nest box in trees on your property to provide nest sites for possums. My old cat used to simply sit alongside the possums, taking an interest in anything they ate. Possums create chaos for the New Zealand ecosystem by: In conclusion, possums have a wide variety of choices for their diet but because they are an alien species they don’t fit into the natural order of environment which causes major problems for the native species. Possums eat large native land snails like Wainuia, Powelliphanta and Placostylus, which include many rare species. 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