New Zealand Journal of Ecology (1978) 1: 126- 131

©New Zealand Ecological Society

Foods of the Australian brush-tailed opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula) in an exotic forest

Research Article
B. Warburton 1,2
  1. Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
  2. Present Address: Protection Forestry Division, Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 31-011, Christchurch, New Zealand
Abstract: 

Foods were identified from stomach contents of 360 opossums collected from May 1975 to May 1976 in Ashley State Forest, Canterbury, New Zealand, where the density of opossums was only 1 per ha and control was practised. Out of 30 foods identified, 7 were eaten extensively: broom (Cytisus scoparius) leaves and flowers; blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) leaves and fruit; pine (Pinus radiata) pollen cones; gorse (Ulex europaeus) flowers; and grasses. No economic damage was caused to pine trees

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