I recently saw that someone had posted a possum sighting on one of my favourite websites iNaturalist. It was in Gosnells which is only a 20 minute drive from my house but pretty much in central suburban Perth. This pricked my interest so I invited a friend to come and explore. We travelled to John Okey Davis Park which backs onto a bush corridor on the upper reaches of the Canning River.
I am always optimistic prior to exploration but just as we got there, I thought – how likely are we to see anything? Well 3 minutes later we had seen our first brushtail possum!
We also heard something large dash away on the ground – possibly a cat or maybe a fox? We walked a little further and saw our second, then a third! There were possums everywhere.
The best technique for spotlighting is to either have a good headtorch or place the torch on the side of your head near your eyes – that way you can pick up the eyeshine of nocturnal animals. You need to scan the trees and the undergrowth looking for a little double glow. With possums and many mammals it is an orange/red colour. After a while you get your eye in – my friend didn’t spot the first few but then was finding his own.
We were also able to get very close to a few to get some really nice photos. They must be pretty used to people as there is housing all around outside the bush strip.
I also managed to find a Moaning frog – just from the dual white eye reflection on the ground. Cute little guy (or gal – hard to tell!).
And not far from the Moaning frog – this Slender tree frog hiding in some vegetation. The only frog heard calling was Squelching Froglets but we never found any – they are pretty small. I have heard these Moaning frogs can drive people mad. If you live near a wetland and they burrow into your grass near your bedroom window they can call all night long – listen to one here.
What an amazing evening – probably 20 possums or so all up, 3 moaning frogs and a slender tree frog. Not bad for a suburban park in Gosnells.
The map below shows roughly where the possums were found and the crosses where the frogs were located.
If this has inspired you to get out and look for possums and other wildlife around Perth, I’ve written a few other posts that might help. Quenda are another species worth looking for in suburban bushland remnants – they are surprisingly findable if you know what to look for. The Where to See Wildlife in Western Australia index covers locations right across the state, and Craigie Bushland in the northern suburbs is another great spot for a similar suburban spotlighting experience.
Possums in Perth FAQ
What possums live in Perth?
The Common Brushtail Possum (Koomal, Trichosurus vulpecula) is by far the most common and widespread – found in suburban gardens and any bushland remnant with mature trees. The Western Ringtail Possum (Ngwayir, Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is also present in Perth particularly in areas with Peppermint trees, though it is Critically Endangered. See the Possums of Australia hub page for a full guide to both species.
Where is the best place to see possums in Perth?
Almost any suburban area with mature trees is worth checking after dark – brushtails are very common across Perth. John Okey Davis Park in Gosnells (this post), Craigie Bushland in the northern suburbs, and any bushland corridor along the Canning or Swan River are all reliable. For Western Ringtails, Peppermint tree habitat in Nedlands, Dawesville and Busselton are the best options.
What time do possums come out in Perth?
Shortly after dark is the most reliable time – brushtails become active as soon as the light drops. A torch or headtorch held near eye level is the best way to spot them by their orange-red eyeshine in the trees. They are active throughout the night but the first hour after dark tends to produce the most sightings.
Are Perth possums dangerous?
No – brushtails are generally placid and well habituated to people in urban areas. They may hiss or lunge if cornered or handled, but will almost never approach aggressively. The best approach is to observe quietly without trying to touch or feed them.
Like this photo? It’s available as a print
Brushtail possum prints are available to order – paper, canvas, metal, acrylic or framed, shipped anywhere in the world. Prints from US $2.
Further Reading
- Possums of Australia — full species guide including Brushtail, Ringtail, Noolbenger and Pygmy Possum
- Quenda — where to see them in WA
- Craigie Bushland — Quenda, possums and a bat
- Possums with my new thermal camera
- Where to See Wildlife in Western Australia — full location index
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