What is Possum?
{{Taxobox | name = Possums | image = Brushtail possum.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Common Brushtail Possum<br>(''Trichosurus vulpecula'') | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammalia]] | infraclassis = [[Marsupialia]] | ordo = [[Diprotodontia]] | subordo = '''Phalangeriformes''' | subordo_authority = [[Szalay]] in [[Archer (biologist)|Archer]], [[1982]] <!-- | subdivision_ranks = [[Superfamily|Superfamilies]] and [[Family (biology)|Families]] | subdivision = [[Phalangeroidea]] *[[Burramyidae]] *[[Phalangeridae]] [[Petauroidea]] *[[Pseudocheiridae]] *[[Petauridae]] *[[Tarsipedidae]] *[[Acrobatidae]] --> }} [[File:A possum.JPG|thumb|right|Ringtail Possum at night. Possums are often found in towns at night]] The '''possum''' is an [[Australasia]]n [[marsupial]] which was later introduced to [[China]] and [[New Zealand]]. There are about 69 [[species]] alive today. Possums are members of the '''Phalangeriformes'''. This is a [[Order (biology)|suborder]] of the [[Diprotodont]]s, a large order which includes the [[kangaroo]]s and its relatives. Possums are native to Australia and are protected there. Possums spend the first four months of their lives in their mother's pouch. By the time they are six months old, the young possums live outside the pouch. They are [[nocturnal]] and at least partly [[arboreal]]. Some of the smaller species are [[glider]]s. They have sharp claws and a keen sense of smell. They eat the leaves of trees, insects, berries and bird's eggs. The first possums were brought to New Zealand in 1837 from [[Australia]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.peskypossum.com.au/pest-control/possum-removal/types-possums-found-australia/| title= Types of Possums found in Australia }} Thursday, March 2, 2017 </ref> In New Zealand, possums have no natural enemies, so possum numbers increased quickly. It is thought of as a pest in New Zealand. The possum has done a lot of damage to the native plants, animals and birds. So, there are Possum Removal taking plac