At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Leadbeater's possum is a small, fast-moving marsupial and a faunal emblem of the Australian state of Victoria. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It depends on old trees with hollows for nesting.
Range & habitat
Mountain ash forests of Victoria, Australia.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss of old-growth forest with nesting hollows
- Bushfires
- Logging
Why it matters
Tied to old-growth mountain ash forest, Leadbeater's possum is a flagship for protecting Australia's tall wet forests from logging and fire.
Sources
Sources for Leadbeater's Possum
- IUCN Red List — look up Leadbeater's Possum (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Leadbeater's possum need old forests?
It nests in hollows that form only in very old, large trees, so the loss of old-growth forest to logging and fire directly removes its homes.
Why is Leadbeater's possum Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss of hollow-bearing old-growth forest, bushfires, and logging. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: