The Australian possum that eats its own waste to survive on eucalyptus leaves

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Eastern Ringtail Possum is a master of efficiency. To thrive on a diet of tough, nutrient-poor leaves, it employs a digestive strategy similar to rabbits: it consumes its own faecal pellets. This unique process allows the marsupial to extract maximum protein and energy from an otherwise challenging forest diet.

The Eastern Ringtail Possum, or Pseudocheirus peregrinus, is a cat-sized marsupial native to the forests and suburban gardens of Eastern Australia. It is uniquely adapted for an arboreal life, using its long, prehensile tail as a fifth limb to navigate between branches and powerlines. Its forefeet feature a distinct gap between the second and third fingers, providing a secure grip while climbing through the canopy. During the day, these nocturnal creatures retreat to spherical nests known as dreys, which are constructed from grass and bark.

The most remarkable aspect of the ringtail possum is its digestive system. Like rabbits, it practices caecotrophy, a process where it produces special faecal pellets called caecotropes during the day. By re-ingesting these pellets, the possum digests its food twice, allowing it to break down tough plant cell walls and extract nitrogen-rich bacterial protein. This recycling mechanism is essential for maintaining an energy balance while consuming low-quality foliage, such as eucalyptus leaves, which are often high in tannins and toxins.

Beyond its diet, the species exhibits rare social behaviors for a possum. It is the only known possum species where the male actively assists in caring for the young, often carrying them on his back while the mother feeds. Despite their adaptability to human environments, they face ongoing threats from land clearing and introduced predators like the red fox. Their ability to conserve water and manage their internal temperature through facultative hyperthermia further highlights their resilience in the diverse Australian landscape, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Australian marsupial that conquered the suburbs but became a pest abroad
• Why Australia's Possums Are Not Actually Related to the Opossums of the Americas
• How do koalas survive on a diet of toxic eucalyptus leaves?
• The honey possum is the only mammal that survives entirely on nectar and pollen.
• The Australian marsupial that hunts like a cat but thrives on a unique diet
• The common swift is a master of the air that rarely touches the ground.
• Can a bird really talk? The truth about the common hill myna's voice
• The common toad is a master of survival, from ancient folklore to modern roads.
• The common eider is a master of survival that turns invasive species into dinner
• The chicken-sized dinosaur that fundamentally changed our understanding of bird evolution
• The Australian snake that hunts by turning its own tail into a lure
• This ancient, toothless bird reveals how flight evolved long before modern avian growth rates

More in Vertebrates · More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics