My "pet" ringtail possum returns for another feed - Australian native wildlife

My "pet" ringtail possum is now a regular visitor to my backyard, arriving around 10pm each night hoping for a feed of mango peels. I don't feed her every night to ensure she retains her natural feeding abilities. Sometimes I'll just go out and talk to her for a while - quite often she'll stay around me for 30 to 45 minutes befoe she decides its time to head off to her other feeding grounds.

A few nights ago we had a heavy downpour of rain and I found her trying to take shelter in my grapevine. As soon as the rain eased I went out with my camera and some mango peels and this movie was the result. I always like the way she cleans her hands after eating - you'll get a good view of this aound 1:40 into the clip.

This ringtail possum is a fully grown female. The bulge around her pouch appears to be getting bigger so I think she could have a baby in there. Guess we'll know in a few weeks.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• poathtv
• ringtail possum
• australia
• australian
• nature
• animal
• cute
• furry
• marsupial
• pet
• tame
• feeding
• food
• eating
• melbourne
• friendly
• railfans
• railfan
• poathjunction
• オーストラリア原産の野生生物
• Australian
• einheimische
• Wildtiere
• Satwa
• liar
• asli
• Australia

[beefspit1]

Love the video very well done.

I am so impressed by your 1080 camera, could you share brand and model, what lighting are you using? tripod or someone else filming?

love any info, my 1080 is not a touch on yours?

any info appreciated

[PoathJunction]

@beefspit1

Camera is a Sony PMW-EX3, lighting for this one was just a couple of low voltage garden lights and it was filmed 'handheld' by me at the same time as I was feeding and patting the possum.

The good news is this possum is still a regular visitor to my backyard, and she currently has a baby in her pouch.

[upinsmoke656]

thats really cool! what do you feed it?

[PoathJunction]

@upinsmoke656

She likes sweet juicy fruits such as mango and peach, with apples another favourite. For some reason she will not eat any variety of grapes yet one of her relatives likes to strip my grapevine of them as soon as they're ripe. Occassionally I'll give her a special treat like a small unflavoured corn chip or piece of popcorn, and sometimes I finely crush an almond to coat the fruit which she enjoys. She also likes the taste of my finger...

[ALCOPRO]

Grooms itself better than most Rail Enthusiasts from Railpage Lol

[Shrubbs]

That's so cute!

[abadgaem]

Loved when she wrapped her prehensile tail around your finger.

[SupaAmi]

Aww, she's really seems to trust you, even lets you pet her!

[beefspit1]

@upinsmoke656

I love the clip but also am so very impressed by your 1080 camera, what make and model? what lighting are you using? use a tripod? would love any info or tips

I also have possums all over my house, but only ever hear them.

[leptoceratops]

@leptoceratops I meant ringTAIL, of course! :P I was also watching bird videos when I posted that!

[leptoceratops]

That is so cute! I feed the brushtail possums apples in the park, but I've never seen such a tame ringneck.