Nocturnal visitors

This guy, a small bushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula, is not such a welcome quest. His relatives devastate fruit frees and prize plants around here this time of year and seem to be flourishing in tree lined street of Melbourne. Whilst they are officially protected in Victoria, most locals consider them pests. Despite looking cuddly and docile these small marsupials have sharp teeth and claws as many dogs and cats soon find out.

This is the species of possum that has caused such environmental destruction, when they were introduced to New Zealand.