WALT.. to write a report

Possums

By Lucy

   

Possums are a pest in New Zealand. They are native to Australia and were brought to New Zealand in 1858.

Bovine TB

TB is the worst part of a possums. Cows and deer get it from sick possums. Farmers hate this disease, when an animal gets this disease they get very sick and will almost die. The government pays lots of money for poison to be laid to kill the possums.

Baby possums

Baby possums may look cute and cuddly, but you are being fooled. A possum is normally pregnant in April to March. When a baby possum is born they are the size of a bee. They drink milk and live in a pouch this makes them marsupial. Twins are very rare which is very good because new possums are born every year, and if they were all twins, we would have heaps! In six months they are the size of an adult and still ride on their mothers back.

Pests

Possums were brought to New Zealand in 1858 for their fur. 70 Million possums are out there killing Kiwis and other birds, and also eating eggs. Unfortunately the traps people put out can also kill kiwis.

When you are next out in the bush at night take a gun and look out for the red eyes because they are the naughty  little possums.