Overview
Distribution
Range Description
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IUCN
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Geographic Range
The scaly-tailed possum is restricted to the Kimberly division in the north of Western Australia.
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
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Australia
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
The pelage of the scaly-tailed possum is short, fine, and dense. The general dorsal color is pale or dark ashy gray while the underside color is white. A dark stripe, which may be obscure or distinct, runs along the mid-dorsal line from the shoulders to the rump. The scaly-tailed possum has a prehensile tail that is densely furred at the base and has nonoverlapping, thick scales for the remainder of its length. The head is short and wide with short ears. The claws are short and not strongly curved.
Average mass: 1400 g.
Average mass: 1700 g.
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Habitat
The scaly-tailed possum inhabits areas with trees and rocks in the broken sandstone country of savannah woodlands in hot tropics.
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
The diet mainly consists of fruits, blossoms, and leaves of Eucalyptus, Terminalia, etc. The scaly-tailed possum has also been known to feed on insects and small vertebrates.
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Animal Diversity Web
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Life History and Behavior
Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 4.3 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 6.0 years.
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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
© Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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AnAge
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Reproduction
Reproduction
The scaly-tailed possum is known to breed in the dry season. The recorded litter size is one. Information on the reproductive behavior of the scaly-tailed possum is limited.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 540 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/near threatened(Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Conservation Status
The scaly-tailed possum was once considered endangered but is now less threatened.
US Federal List: threatened
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient
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Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 12/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10)
Where Listed:
Population detail:
Population location: entire
Listing status: E
For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Wyulda squamicaudata , see its USFWS Species Profile
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Trends
Population
Population Trend
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Threats
Threats
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IUCN
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Management
Conservation Actions
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IUCN
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
No information
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Animal Diversity Web
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Wikipedia
Scaly-tailed Possum
The Scaly-tailed Possum or the Ilangnalya (Wyulda squamicaudata) is found in northwestern Australia. It is restricted to the Kimberley region in Western Australia.[3] As it is monotypic in its genus, it is sometimes known simply by its genus — the Wyulda.
The Scaly-tailed Possum is a member of the family Phalangeridae, which means that it is related to cuscuses and brushtail possums. It is a solitary nocturnal forager that feeds on leaves, flowers and fruit.[3]
As its name implies, its distinguishing feature is a hairless, scaly tail.
The possum has a limited range and is found in high rainfall coastal regions of the north Kimberley between Yampi Sound and Kalumburu, populations also inhabit Bigge Island and Boongaree Island. The preferred habitat of this animal is sandstone based woodlands where it can shelter in rock piles and fissures and feed in the trees.[4].
References
- ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 50. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ McKnight, M. (2008). Wyulda squamicaudata. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is data deficient
- ^ a b Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 84.
- ^ "Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes". 1996. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/marsupials/27.html. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
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