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Coppery brushtails are nocturnal and have large eyes. A similar species, Trichosurus vulpecula, makes a variety of vocalizations, including alarm calls, screeches, hisses, grunts, clicks, and guttural coughs.
Communication Channels: acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Because Trichosurus johnstonii was only recently declared a separate species from Trichosurus vulpecula, little is know about its distribution. Trichosurus vulpecula is considered a species of least concern by the IUCN. Although they occur in some protected areas, T. vulpecula is considered a pest species to plantations and are frequently removed from agricultural areas. Changes in fire regime negatively affect these species.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
Negative effects of coppery brushtails on humans have not been recorded. A similar species Trichosurus vulpecula, however, damages crops, gardens, and plantations and are considered a pest species.
Coppery brushtails have small home ranges and rarely come into contact with humans. Because they are similar in appearance to other brushtails, they may be accidentally harvested for their fur.
Coppery brushtails may act as seed dispersers, as they consume some fruits.
The diet of Trichosurus johnstonii consists mainly of leaves and other plant material. They primarily feed upon the fruit of Solanum mauritianum, the leaves of Ipomoea, and the leaves of Cape Lilac (Melia azedarach).
Plant Foods: leaves; fruit; flowers
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Frugivore )
Coppery brushtail, Trichosurus johnstonii, are found in Koombooloomba and Kuranda in northeastern Queensland, Australia. Little information is available regarding this species, as it was once considered a subspecies of silver-gray brushtail possums (common brushtails, Trichosurus vulpecula).
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Coppery brushtails mainly inhabit rainforest edges and tall open forests in the Atherton rainforests.
Habitat Regions: tropical
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest
The average lifespan of coppery brushtails is currently unknown. Closely related silver-gray brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, have an average lifespan of 7 years in the wild. The oldest known silver-gray brushtail lived 15.9 years in captivity.
Coppery brushtail possums get their name from the coppery, reddish colored fur that covers the majority of their medium sized body. The underside is covered in a creamy, lighter colored fur than the rest of the body. The head and body size of females ranges from 400 to 470 mm, while males tend to be slightly larger, reaching lengths of 490 mm. Tail length ranges from 300 to 380 mm in females and averages 400 mm in males. The hind feet of females and males measure 53.1 to 55.7 mm and about 59.3 mm respectively. Coppery brushtails have relatively large ears from 46.3 to 49.6 mm in length. Females weigh from 1200 to 1800 g, and males average 1800 g.
Scientists use differences in skull shape to distinguish this species from silver-gray brushtail possums.
Range mass: 1200 to 1800 g.
Range length: 400 to 490 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Known predators of Trichosurus johnstonii include barking owls, powerful owls, red foxs, cats, and domestic dogs. Coppery brushtails evade terrestrial predators by fleeing up into trees.
Known Predators:
Little is known regarding the mating systems of coppery brushtails.
Little data is currently available regarding the reproduction of coppery brushtails. Their reproductive habits are expected to be similar to those of silver-gray brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Trichosurus vulpecula typically breeds twice a year, only giving birth once. Female silver-gray brushtails reach sexual maturity at 24 to 36 months of age, and males at around 48 months.
Female silver-gray brushtail possums have an estrous cycle of about 25 days. Gestation lasts an average of 17.5 days, after which a single young is born. After 4 to 5 months, the young leaves the pouch but continues to remain with the mother. At 6 to 7 months, the young is weaned, and it leaves the mother at 8 to 18 years of age.
Breeding interval: Coppery brushtails likely breed twice a year.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Parental investment of coppery brushtails is likely similar to that of silver-gray brushtail possums. Female silver-gray brushtails carry their young in their pouch for 4 to 5 months. Young are weaned at around 6 or 7 months, but they remain with their mother until about 8 to 18 years of age. Mothers likely provide protection or nourishment for a portion of this time.
Parental Investment: female parental care ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents
