Interesting facts about kuzu. Kuzu is a charming forest animal native to Australia.

Or body.

The caring duck warmed the tiny baby (who weighed only 340 grams) with her warmth all night, covering him with her wing.

It is unknown whether the duck brought the baby in its beak, mistaking it for its chick, or whether the chilled orphan Daisy crawled into the nest to warm bird at night by myself.

It is only clear that smart bird all night she protected the baby possum and warmed her with her body.

The farmer handed over the helpless exotic baby to specialists who feed and rescue orphaned and distressed wild animals from the Fauna Rescue of South Australia (FRSA).

Baby Daisy will be raised and cared for there until she grows up and gets stronger, and then she will be released into the wild.

Now adorable little Daisy lives in a warm house and has a lot of delicious food. She even got a half-brother, about the same age, and now the little possums will be raised together.

Shelter workers say that it was only thanks to the caring duck that tiny Daisy did not die from hypothermia.

What kind of exotic animal is this that has three cool names at once:

Brush-tailed possum, or fox kuzu, or brush-tailed cuscus (lat. Trichosurus)

Kuzu belongs to the genus of mammals of the possum family. Includes five types.

Possums are distributed throughout Australia, Tasmania and nearby islands. They were also brought to New Zealand, where they quickly multiplied and began to pose a threat to the unique local fauna, including the rare flightless kiwi bird.

Body length brush-tailed gliders reaches 60 cm (plus tail 35 cm), with a weight of 1.2 to 5 kg.

The animals are covered with soft and silky fur, the color of which varies from grayish-white to brown and black. Big ears the bodies are triangular in shape. The possum's tail is densely furred and prehensile, and it does not make a single movement. tall trees, without first securing the tail around the branch.

Kuzu are arboreal climbers. Their natural habitat is forests, although they are also found in almost treeless areas and semi-deserts. Sometimes they are even seen in gardens and city parks.

During the daytime, possums hide in hollow trees, as well as in attics and sheds, and at night they go out in search of food, sometimes going down to the ground.

Although gliders are excellent tree climbers, they are lazier and slower than squirrels and other animals with a similar structure.

As a rule, they lead a solitary lifestyle, marking their territory.

Kuzu mainly feed on plant foods: tree leaves, fruits and flowers. Sometimes the animals eat insects and small vertebrates, for example, bird chicks.

The female brings one (rarely two) cub once or twice a year. The mother carries the baby for only 16-18 days, and then it develops in a warm pouch, with two nipples, until 7-8 months.

At about six months, the baby stops sucking mother's milk and begins to feed on his own.

The mother carries the grown cub on her back and continues to carefully protect it.

Brush-tailed gliders become sexually mature in their second or third year of life. Average duration The lifespan of a kuzu in nature is 10-15 years.

TAXONOMY

Trichosurus vulpecula(Kerr, 1792), Sydney, Australia.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The coat of the kuzu is silky, soft, and the color can be different - gray, black, reddish, brown, or white. The ears are large and slightly pointed at the top. The tail is covered with fur (as is the entire body).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

The kuzu is found throughout eastern and south-western Australia and Tasmania and, until recently, the animal was distributed throughout much of central Australia. Kuzu is also currently common in New Zealand, where it was introduced approximately 150 years ago.

Kuzu usually lives in forests and wooded areas, but this species is extremely versatile and can live in various types habitats, including semi-arid areas devoid of trees, and in suburban and urban areas.

BEHAVIOR, NUTRITION AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

In general, kuzu is a solitary, nocturnal, and tree-dwelling animal. It usually nests in tree cavities, but may also nest in treetops or in burrows dug in the ground. In areas of low populations, adults can be extremely territorial, but where population densities are high, the home ranges of adults overlap and do not cause aggressive behavior in animals.

Kuzu eat a wide variety of plants, and their diet may sometimes include small animals and insects.

Reproduction occurs all year round, although in terms of numbers the birth of offspring reaches a maximum in autumn and spring. The female usually gives birth to one or, rarely, two children annually. After a gestation period of approximately 18 days, the baby is born and remains in the mother's pouch for six to seven months.

CONSERVATION STATUS AND SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Because the animal is common in many areas, the kuzu possum is not considered to be in danger of extinction, although the kuzu possum population has declined significantly in central and southwestern Australia.

Because the koozoo is common in areas such as city parks and suburban backyards, this possum species is in closer interaction with humans than any other Australian mammal. The skins and fur of these opossums are often sold in various stores in Australia. In many areas, the kuzu is considered an agricultural pest and potential carrier of disease, and the kuzu is also a pest in New Zealand, where it is a newly introduced animal.

Unusual and interesting fauna Australia, and there are reasons for this. The continent is famous for its cloudless blue skies, generous sun and quite favorable mild climate. There are practically no sharp temperature changes in this area of ​​the planet.

There are several natural areas Australia. Animals and the birds that live in them undoubtedly have their own characteristics, because constantly wet, evergreen forests, savannas and deserts are distinguished by individual vicissitudes of climate, the nature of the soil, the terrain and the presence fresh water.

The continent itself is located at the junction of two endless oceans: the Indian and the Pacific, and their waves rage in the southern tropical zone. The shores of the fifth continent are separated from the expanse of water by mountains.

That is why the restless ocean almost does not interfere with the life of this blessed land. The climate here is dry. True, the comfort of existence of organic life is often affected by the shortage of fresh water: many rivers are depleted, lakes are too salty, and tropical desert captured about half of the entire territory.

The world of Australian nature is extremely unique. For a long time, the continent was hidden from the rest of the world, separated from other continents by a boundless area of ​​​​ocean space.

That is why the distant tropical continent is not just unusual, but, in some way, fantastic, because Australian animals have originality and uniqueness.

In general, the climate in the described part of the world is very favorable for organic life, so the flora is very rich. As for the fauna: the number of species on this continent is in the tens of thousands.

Description of Australian animals, birds and other living organisms can be continued ad infinitum. But this is not the only reason why the fifth continent has been declared a continent-reserve everywhere.

About two or three of the presented types of highly developed life are endemic, that is, inhabitants of a limited area, inhabitants exclusively of a given continent.

What animals live in Australia to date? It should be noted that with the advent of civilization in this past wild continent, many animals and birds were brought to its territory from other parts of the world, and many species of local fauna disappeared from the face of the fifth continent, and all that remains is to remember: what animals are in Australia lived in the vastness of the mainland in past, blessed times for wildlife.

But in the present, the pristine Australian nature is protected in national parks and nature reserves. Here are some representatives of the fauna of this distant continent.

Platypus

An unusual creature for other continents, but quite typical for Australian nature, is the platypus, classified as oviparous mammals.

Like all representatives of this class of vertebrates, the animal traces its origins to reptile-like ancestors. Such creatures seem to be assembled piece by piece from elements various representatives fauna.

The appearance of this creature is characterized by short front legs, its hind legs are so strong that they make it possible to move quickly, making long jumps.

The appearance of a kangaroo is complemented by an impressive tail. There are enough varieties of such animals. But red kangaroos are especially famous. The creatures actively communicate with their relatives, living in groups, and also willingly coming into contact with humans. Large red kangaroos reach a height of about one and a half meters.

In the photo there is a red kangaroo

Wallaby

List rare animals of Australia more than extensive. Among them or. These creatures are half a meter tall with a tail as long as their body. Tree branches are their main living space. And they are easily capable of climbing to a height of more than two tens of meters. They feed on leaves and berries.

Pictured is a wallaby

Short-faced kangaroos

Among the kangaroo species, representatives of a very small size are known (sometimes less than 30 cm). Short-faced kangaroos are quite rare animals. They have a long tail and spend their lives on the ground. Their fur is soft and thick, gray-brown or reddish in color. They unite in flocks and build nests from dry grass.

The photo shows a short-faced kangaroo

Three-toed rat kangaroos

Animals weighing about a kilogram. With a large tail and elongated muzzle they resemble. The color is brown, chestnut or gray. Move with high speed The animal is helped by powerful legs.

Three-toed rat kangaroo

Great rat kangaroo

Lives in semi-deserts and Australian steppes. The height of the mammal is about half a meter. The color is brown, reddish or gray. Animals develop their activity at night. They feed on grass leaves, mushrooms and root vegetables.

Great rat kangaroo

Short-tailed kangaroos

- harmless creatures that can easily become prey for predators. These animals of australia, name“short-tailed kangaroos” owe their external similarity to other species of kangaroos.

However, they have a short tail. They are the size of a cat, go out for a walk at night, feed on grass, so they prefer to inhabit grassy, ​​dry areas.

In the photo there are quokkas

Kuzu

A marsupial mammal representing the family. A small animal (length no more than 60 cm), has triangular ears and a long tail. Its soft fur can be black, brown or grayish-white in color.

It prefers to lead an active lifestyle at night, masterfully climbing branchy trees, and a tenacious tail helps such a creature move. Bark, leaves, flowers and bird eggs serve as daily food for these creatures.

In the photo there is an animal called Kuzu

Wombat

Another marsupial of the Australian continent. Looking at this animal, it is difficult to understand who is in front of your eyes: a small or a large rodent. In fact, they have very little in common with the animals mentioned.

Like rodents, these creatures dig holes. Their thick, hard skin is an excellent defense against enemy attacks. And the rear part is protected by a shield located on the pelvic bones, which can be very useful when attacking enemies from behind. The fluid in the animal's body is preserved almost like that of, and the process of processing food lasts an unusually long time.

Pictured is a wombat

Koala

It is related to the wombat, a very peaceful animal, touching the observer with its appearance. These creatures are extremely trusting of people, and even allow them to pick them up.

Their life is spent on trees, the branches of which they wrap their tenacious paws around, and their food is eucalyptus leaves. The existence of these animals is mostly calm and measured.

Just like wombats, they look like funny bears, they can long time do not need to replenish the body with water reserves, but the food they consume, rich in protein, is digested extremely slowly.

Wongo

A marsupial that lives in an arid zone, outwardly resembling a harmless one, but even smaller in size. Nevertheless, it is a predator. It poses a serious danger only to insects, which serve as prey for it.

The teeth of these creatures are like those of rodents, the back is grayish, the belly is lighter, and the tail has short fur. Possess interesting feature: If they lack food, they go into hibernation.

Wongo animal

Nambat

Having a long tongue that helps it catch termites. These tailed animals, distinguished by their sharp muzzles, do not have a pouch, but their cubs grow up clinging to the mother's fur and firmly sucking on the nipples.

The length of an adult individual usually does not exceed 25 cm. Numbats live in eucalyptus forests and move on the ground. And they build their nests by finding a suitable hollow in a fallen tree.

Anteater nambat

Saltwater crocodile

The unique world of the continent’s fauna is not only interesting, but also fraught with danger, because in wildlife Australia's dangerous animals can meet every minute.

One of them is the comb - an insidious and swift cannibal predator that lives in northern waters continent. The antiquity of these animals is estimated at hundreds of thousands of years.

They are excellent swimmers, dangerous by their cunning, and their pale yellow color hides them even from the attentive gaze of troubled waters reservoirs of the tropics. Male individuals can reach a length of more than 5 m.

Saltwater crocodile

Tasmanian devil

Aggressive in nature, a voracious marsupial that can cope with many fairly large opponents. makes terrible screams at night, because it is during this period of the day that he leads an active lifestyle.

And during the daytime it sleeps in the thickets of bushes. It has asymmetrical paws, a massive body and a dark color. Lives in a shroud near the coast.

The animal in the photo is a Tasmanian devil

Tiger cat

About the color and appearance of this bright representative predatory animals of Australia The name itself says it all. This ferocious creature is also called marsupial. It is found in eucalyptus forests and has such developed paws that it can climb trees.

Tiger cats catch birds on the fly and feast on their eggs. When hunting, predators patiently track their prey, seizing the most opportune moment to attack. Small kangaroos and tree gliders can become their victims.

Tiger cat

Taipan

Poisonous snake, very common in Australia. One bite contains enough poison to kill hundreds of people. Quick to attack and very aggressive. Likes to hide in sugar cane thickets. There is a vaccine against the bite, but it helps if administered immediately.

Poisonous taipan snake

Great white shark

IN ocean waters washing the coast of the mainland, a meeting with an incredibly large and strong ancient sea ​​monster, capable of cutting through human flesh in an instant. , nicknamed “white death”, can reach a length of more than 7 m, it has a huge mouth and a powerful, mobile body.

Big white shark

sea ​​wasp

This is a sea stinger, capable of killing a victim in one minute. Its size is small, but its arsenal contains so much poison that it is enough to kill six dozen people. These are the creatures to watch out for in the high seas off the northern coast of Australia.

The appearance of this creature is impressive: the numerous tentacles hanging from its bell are capable of stretching up to a meter in length and are equipped with several hundred stingers.

Sea wasp jellyfish

Irukandji

Another one, a meeting with which can be fatal for a person. Its dimensions are very modest, but less than half an hour is enough for the poison released by it to end the life of the victim. Like sea ​​wasp, its tentacles are replete with stings, which are also located on the stomach.

Irukandji jellyfish

Mosquitoes of the genus Biters

In the world of original Australian nature mortal danger can represent not only large animals, but also small insects. Among them are tiny ones. The bite of these carriers of encephalitis and fever can be fatal and is transmitted into the victim’s blood through the insect’s saliva.

Poisonous mosquito

Leukoweb spider

The most dangerous on the mainland (up to 7 cm long). Its strong and powerful chelicerae are capable of biting through human skin even through the nail plate. It acts mercilessly and lightning fast, usually inflicting several bites at once.

And its poison is able to penetrate the inside of the bone. Insects make their shelters in rotting tree trunks and deep burrows that they dig underground. Children most often die from the bite of such spiders.

Leukoweb spider

Ostrich Emu

A relative of the ostrich, outwardly similar to its relative, the species of which was previously called Australian ostrich, but is currently classified by biologists as belonging to the cassowary family. The size of this creature is no more than two meters, its long plumage resembles wool.

They live in flocks and constantly roam in search of food and sources of moisture. Their eggs are impressive in size, weighing half a kilogram and have dark green color. It is surprising that it is mainly papa emus that incubate future chicks.

In the photo there is an Emu ostrich

Cockatoo

A large parrot belonging to the category rare birds. At one time, these interesting birds were brought from Australia to all European countries, becoming favorite pets for many.

They are attractive because they can play various melodies, perform acrobatic acts and even dance. The feathers of most parrots are colored white. They have a yellow crest and feed on small insects, seeds and fruits.

Cockatoo parrot

Cassowary

An inhabitant of deep Australian forests, remarkable for its large size and weight of about 80 kg. It's a bird, but it can't fly. It is black in color and has a kind of helmet on its head, which is a keratinized substance of a spongy structure, which often becomes a useful defense against the vicissitudes of fate and attacks from predators.

The bird consumes small rodents as food, and also finds berries and fruits in the forest. A kick can cripple a person. Having once become the object of rampant hunting, these creatures were subjected to significant extermination.

Pictured is a cassowary

Bowerbird

The forest bird is a real designer. Male individuals build huts for their girlfriends, decorating their buildings with feathers, shells and flowers, painting them with the juice of wild berries, thereby gaining the favor of the “ladies.”

The birds are relatives and resemble their brothers in appearance. Their size is about 35 cm, the upper part of the beak is curved with a hook, the legs are thin, and the eyes are bright blue.

Bowerbird bird

Pelican

Occupant sea ​​coast, found in inland lakes and lagoons. The body length is just under two meters. The bird's powerful beak is equipped with a leather bag that can hold about 13 liters of water.

It serves this unusual bird as a kind of sap for catching aquatic inhabitants on which it feeds. are long-lived. The wingspan of some individuals can be up to 4 m.

Pelican in the photo

Narrow-snouted crocodile

Relatively small reptile. The muzzle is narrow, the teeth are sharp; The color is light brown, the back and tail are decorated with black stripes. It feeds on mammals, reptiles, many species of birds and fish. When hunting, he usually sits in one place, waiting for his prey to pass by him. It is considered harmless to humans.

Narrow-snouted crocodile

Gecko

A lizard that prefers to spend its life in the arid territories of the fifth continent. It has a relatively small size. Amazes the observer with his eyelids; and her brittle tail is able to regenerate.

This creature makes many interesting sounds, for which it received the nickname of the singing lizard. For this feature and interesting colors, they are often bred in home terrariums.

Pictured is a gecko

Varan

Counts largest lizard on the planet, often reaches the size of . The creatures' paws are tenacious, and their muscles are well developed. They have a long tail the size of their body. The color is dominated by black, brown, sand and gray tones, often with stripes and spots. are active predators.

Pictured is a monitor lizard

frilled lizard

The body of this reptile has a pinkish or dark gray color. This one got its name due to the presence of a peculiar collar in the form of a leather membrane, reminiscent of a cloak. Such decoration, as a rule, is painted in bright colors and is normally lowered, but in moments of danger it can scare the enemy to death.

frilled lizard

Moloch

Telling about animals of Australia, it is impossible not to mention. On this body interesting creation thorns grow that can scare away his opponents. And the condensation that settles on such growths accumulates and flows directly into the mouth of the moloch. Depending on condition external environment these creatures slowly change their color.

Lizard moloch

desert frog

It has a large head and developed swimming membranes. The adaptability of these creatures to unfavorable conditions simply amazing. At complete absence moisture, they bury themselves in the silt, waiting for rain. And they can remain in this state for up to five years.

desert frog

The animal, due to its proximity to humans, is considered the most studied of the possums. Also, the fox kuzu is the most numerous species among all mammals in Australia.

Description of the fox possum

Trichosurus vulpecula has several official names (fox possum, brushtail, common foxtail) and belongs to the cuscus family of the order Two-incisor marsupials.

Appearance, dimensions

This is a cute, although somewhat overweight animal with a pointed muzzle, on which protruding erect ears stand out, split upper lip and dark round eyes. The large incisors of the lower jaw contrast with the small canines.

The weight of an adult fox body varies from 1.2 to 4.5 kg (less often up to 5 kg) with a body length of 35–55 cm. The pubescent tail, growing up to 24–35 cm, is bare only at the tip, covered with hard skin. The body of the fox-shaped possum is squat and elongated, the neck is short, and the head is elongated. Yellowish or brown hairs grow on top of the ears (completely naked inside). The whiskers are long and black, the second half of the tail is the same color.

The soles of the kuzu are hairless, and flat claws are noticeable on the big toes of the hind paws; on the remaining toes, the claws are sickle-shaped, long and strong. Fox kuzu have a special skin gland (near the anus) that produces a secretion with a strong musky odor.

Fact. The most spectacular representatives of the species, with the thickest fur (including on the tail), live in Tasmania. Local kuzu are 2–3 times heavier than their relatives living in Northern Australia and having sparse fur with an inexpressive brush on the tail.

The habitat determines the color of the animals - it can be different, from whitish-gray to brown or black, and the fur on the underbelly and lower neck area is always lighter. Albinos are also found among fox-like possums.

Lifestyle, behavior

Fox kuzu is a loner, sticking to certain territory and observing a conventional hierarchy. The establishment of a personal area, in the center of which there is a pair of nesting trees, occurs no earlier than 3–4 years of life. The male’s plot reaches 3–8 hectares, the female’s is slightly smaller, 1–5 hectares.

Kuzu mark boundaries, daring off strangers (mostly same-sex and peer-to-peer individuals), but allow fellow tribesmen of a different gender or lower social status to be on their territory. During the day, the fox-shaped possum sleeps, going out in search of food 1–2 hours after sunset.

They usually find refuge in:

• dense thickets;
• "nests" or tree hollows;
• abandoned or little-used buildings (attics and barns).

On the ground, the kuzu moves slowly, but in the tree it also does not show much agility, despite its excellent adaptability to climbing. The regularity of his movements makes him look not like a nimble squirrel, but like a slow sloth.

The key role when traveling along trunks and crowns is played by the tenacious tail, with the help of which the animal secures itself on a branch and only then uses its sharp sickle-shaped claws. In search of provisions, the kuzu does not limit itself to inspecting the surrounding trees, but also scours the ground, checking nearby buildings if they come across its path.

The fox-like possum is not embarrassed by its close proximity to people, from which it only benefits. Animals occupy gardens and parks, creating numerous and rather noisy colonies there.

Kuzu loves to talk with expression, which is why he is recognized as one of the most vocal marsupials - a person can hear his cry at a distance of up to 0.3 km. Diversity sound signals, according to zoologists, is explained by the presence of a cartilaginous part of the larynx (about the size of a pea), which is absent in other marsupials. Thanks to this instrument, kuzu hiss, squeal heart-rendingly, click, grunt and even chirp.

How long does a fox kuzu live?

The brushtail lives on average about 11–15 years, and sets records for longevity when placed in captivity. By the way, the fox-shaped possum is easily domesticated, gets used to new food without problems and does not show aggression towards its owners at all (it does not scratch, does not bite or snarl). However, there are very few people who want to keep a kuzu at home: such a specific aroma emanates from its body.

Sexual dimorphism

The difference between the sexes can be seen in size - female fox kuzu are smaller than males. In addition, males have a better developed skin gland located on the chest. The female can be distinguished by a more pronounced leathery fold on her belly, where she carries her baby after giving birth.

Range, habitats

The range of the fox possum covers most of it (especially its eastern, northern and southwestern regions), as well as Kangaroo Islands and Tasmania. In the arid and semi-arid regions of the Australian mainland, the fox kuzu is quite rare. In the century before last, the species was introduced into New Zealand. Here the kuzu proliferated so much that they became a real threat to local game.

Interesting. Zoologists suspect that it is the kuzu (big lovers of bird eggs and chicks) that are to blame for the decline in the kiwi population, which nests exclusively in New Zealand.

Brushtails most often settle in wooded areas or dense bushes, but they also inhabit treeless and semi-desert landscapes. Kuzu are not afraid of cities where they inhabit gardens and parks.

Diet of the fox body

In some regions, up to 95% of the kuzu's daily diet comes from eucalyptus leaves, and in the tropical jungle its main food is ironwood leaves, which are extremely poisonous to livestock.

In general, the diet of the fox possum includes both plant and animal ingredients:

• mixture of leaves;
• flowers and fruits;
• berries;
• invertebrates;
• bird eggs;
• small vertebrates.

If animals live close to livestock grazing areas, they willingly eat pasture crops or feast on flower buds, settling in city gardens.

Reproduction and offspring

In Australia, the mating season of foxes is not limited by strict limits, but a surge in sexual activity is observed in spring and autumn (some couples have offspring in both periods). In south-eastern Australia, peak fertility occurs in May–June. In New Zealand mating games kuzu lasts from April to July. At this time, the females are extremely nervous and with great difficulty allow suitors to approach them, keeping a safe distance of about 1 meter from them.

To achieve reciprocity, the male cunningly gives quiet sound signals, reminiscent of the voice of a cub. Upon completion of sexual intercourse, the partner leaves the fertilized female, completely abandoning paternal responsibilities. Dingo dogs;

feral cats.

The list of enemies of the fox body is headed by a man who exterminated animals for their sake. valuable fur, which was exported in large quantities from the Australian mainland.

Fact. It is known that in 1906, 4 million fox skins were sold in the fur markets of London and New York, offered under the names “Australian possum” and “Adelaide chinchilla”.

The natives of Australia and New Zealand killed brushtails not only for their light and warm fur, but also for their meat, despite its pungent musky aroma.

The fox possum or fox kuzu (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a representative of the cuscus family (Phalangeridae), one of the largest marsupials of Australia. Dwelling in distant sparsely populated areas and suburbs of most Australian cities, the brushtail (also called the koozoo) is probably the most widespread of all Australian mammals and the most studied of all possums.

The kuzu's habitat covers almost all of Australia from rain forests to semi-desert areas and the island of Tasmania. In the 19th century, the animal was introduced to New Zealand: here it lives and thrives to this day.

This is a medium-sized animal: body length 35-55 cm, weight 1.2-4.5 kg. Males are noticeably larger than females. The tail is long, the body is elongated, the neck is short and thin, the head is elongated, the muzzle is short and pointed, ears average size, pointed, large eyes, with an oblong pupil.

The silky fur of the animal is gray, gray-brown or gray-black.

In the temperate climate of Tasmania, kuzu boast thick fur and a bushy tail, and their weight can reach a record 4.5 kg. Changes closer to the tropics appearance and the size of the animals decreases. For example, individuals living in Northern Australia weigh no more than 1.8 kg, have sparse hair and only a small brush on the tail.

How does the fox kuzu live in nature?

Kuzu, like most other gliders, is an arboreal animal. It is active at night, but during the day it rests in hollows or in peculiar nests.

Fox gliders climb trees slowly and carefully and are not capable of graceful jumps. An important role when moving along branches is played by a grasping tail with a patch of bare skin. A prudent animal will not begin to move without securely securing itself with the help of its tail. Another adaptation to woody image life are curved and sharp claws on the paws and the opposition of the first toe to the rest on the forelimb.

Continuation of the family line

With the exception of the period of reproduction and feeding of young animals, possums lead a solitary lifestyle.

By the end of 3-4 years of life, the animal defines a small territory for itself, in the center of which there are 1-2 nesting trees. Kuzu protects her from individuals of the same gender and social status. He is tolerant of the opposite sex or lower-ranking individuals within these territories. Individual areas of males can be 3-8 hectares in size, females - 1-5 hectares.

Female kuzu are very aggressive towards males and do not allow them to come within 1 meter of them. In order to achieve favor, the male needs to try. During the courtship period future spouse gradually overcomes the hostility of his chosen one, carefully approaching her and emitting quiet calling sounds that are similar to the sounds made by cubs. After everything has happened, the male loses all interest in the female; He also does not take part in raising the young.

Females begin to breed at the age of 1 year, bringing 1-2 cubs annually. Pregnancy, like that of other marsupials, is short - only 16-18 days.

The baby kuzu leaves the mother's pouch at the age of 5-6 months and moves to the mother's back, and after another 2 months milk feeding ends. Soon the young possum begins an independent life.

In populations living in temperate and subtropical zone In Australia, the breeding season usually occurs in March-May, and approximately 50% of females give birth again in September-November. Where seasonality is less pronounced, there are no birth peaks.

The population density of fox gliders varies depending on the habitat from 0.4 individuals per 1 hectare in sparse forests and copses to 1.4 individuals per 1 hectare in suburban gardens, and in copses where livestock are grazed it can be 2.1 individuals per 1 ha.

How do kuzu communicate?

These are one of the loudest marsupials: a person can hear the cries of a kuzu at a distance of up to 300 meters. To communicate, animals use several sound signals, reminiscent of clicks, hissing, grunting, loud squealing, and chirping. Only members of this genus have a pea-sized cartilaginous compartment of the larynx, which apparently expands their sound repertoire.

Diet

The diet of possums is varied: fruits, flowers and leaves, and sometimes invertebrates, eggs and small vertebrates. In some areas, up to 95% of the kuzu's diet consists of eucalyptus leaves, but in general it is a mixture of tree leaves different breeds. IN tropical forests The main food of the kuzu is the leaves of the iron tree, which, by the way, is very toxic to livestock. In habitats occupied by pastures, up to 60% of the diet of these possums consists of pasture plants, and in suburban gardens these marsupials are addicted to flower buds.

Fox gliders in New Zealand

In 1840, the first Australian kuzu were brought to New Zealand to develop the promising fur trade (and the fur of these possums, it must be said, is very light and incredibly warm). Until 1924, as a result of further importation and release of animals bred in captivity, the population increased greatly, and the sale of skins became an important source of income. However, the happiness of the marsupial conquerors was short-lived. It turned out that in addition to spreading cattle tuberculosis, the possum causes enormous damage to the local flora.

Having settled in the forests of New Zealand, kuzu quickly mastered a new food resource - tasty leaves of valuable species of endemic trees, simultaneously increasing the population density to 50 individuals per hectare, which is about 25 times more than in Australia. By the time their numbers had somewhat stabilized at 6-10 individuals per hectare, some tree species had disappeared in many areas, and the kuzu had switched to other available but less palatable trees.

By gathering on individual trees and practically clearing them of foliage, fox kuzu accelerated their death. With such an abundance of food, these usually solitary animals forgot about their hostility to each other, unlike their Australian counterparts, and began to occupy small, highly overlapping habitats. Over time, possums recognized the advantage of unpalatable trees, and in New Zealand, a subtle but stable change in forest structure continues.

Currently, the New Zealand fox possum population consists of approximately 70 million individuals, which is twice the number of sheep in the country.