Lemur-like Ringtail Possum

Taxobox
name = Lemur-like Ringtail PossumMSW3 Groves|pages=50-51]


status = NT
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group|year=1996|id=9869|title=Hemibelideus lemuroides|downloaded=26 December 2006]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
infraclassis = Marsupialia
ordo = Diprotodontia
familia = Pseudocheiridae
subfamilia = Hemibelideinae
genus = "Hemibelideus"
genus_authority = Collett 1884
species = "H. lemuroides"
binomial = "Hemibelideus lemuroides"
binomial_authority = {Collett, 1884}

The Lemur-like Ringtail Possum ("Hemibelideus lemuroides"), also known as the Lemuroid Ringtail Possum or the Brushy-Tailed Ringtail, is one of the most singular members of the ringtail possum group. In fact, it is more closely related to the Greater Glider ("Petauroides volans") than to other ringtail possums.

This possum is found in a small area between Ingham and Cairns in Queensland, Australia. It is also found in an isolated population on Carbine Tableland.cite book | last = Menkhorst | first = Peter | year = 2001 | title = A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia | publisher = Oxford University Press | pages = 98]

It has a bushier tail when compared to other ringtails, and can be distinguished from the Greater Glider by its lack of gliding membrane and much shorter, hairless ears. It is a social possum, and is found in two main colour forms: the more common chocolate brown form, and a rare white form, which is mostly found in the Carbine Tableland population.

References

External links

* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hemibelideus_lemuroides.html "Hemibelideus lemuroides" on Animal Diversity Web]