Striped Possum
Dactylopsila trivirgata
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderDiprotodontia (Kangaroos, Possums, Wombats, and Allies)
- FamilyPetauridae (Wrist-winged Gliders, Trioks, and allies)
- GenusDactylopsila (Trioks)
- SpeciesDactylopsila trivirgata (Striped Possum)
About the Striped Possum
The striped possum or common striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata) is a member of the marsupial family Petauridae. It is found mainly in New Guinea. The species is black with three white stripes running head to tail, and its head has white stripes that form a 'Y' shape. It is closely related to the sugar glider, and is similar in appearance.
The striped possum was first described by John Edward Gray in 1858 from a specimen sent from the Aru Islands (in Indonesia) to the British Museum by Alfred Russel Wallace. Gray gave the species the name Dactylopsila trivirgata in 1858, the name the species retains today. The illustration that appeared alongside the first description was produced by Joseph Wolf.
The striped possum is most commonly found in New Guinea as well as several other small islands in the area (including the Solomon Islands). It also lives in Queensland, Australia, in rainforests and eucalypt woodland along the east coast of Cape York Peninsula and as far south as Townsville, but is uncommon and rarely seen in Australia.
This possum looks like a black and white squirrel. It is solitary, mostly nocturnal, arboreal, and builds... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Striped Possum in Daintree National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Daintree National Park
Squirrel Glider
Petaurus norfolcensis
Red-legged Pademelon
Thylogale stigmatica
Bennett's Tree-kangaroo
Dendrolagus bennettianus
Musky Rat-kangaroo
Hypsiprymnodon moschatus
Agile Wallaby
Macropus agilis
Cinereous Ringtail
Pseudochirulus cinereus
Swamp Wallaby
Wallabia bicolor
Green Ringtail
Pseudochirops archeri
Long-tailed Pygmy Possum
Cercartetus caudatus
Rufous Bettong
Aepyprymnus rufescens
Greater Glider
Petauroides volans
Mareeba Rock Wallaby
Petrogale mareeba
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Striped Possum in Daintree National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Striped Possum sighting in Daintree National Park, based on 43 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Striped Possum in Daintree National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Striped Possum in Daintree National Park in our monthly data.