White possums in peril
About this episode
This episode discusses the plight of the Lemuroid ringtail possum, a species endangered by climate change and habitat loss.
The Lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides) is a species endemic to Far North Queensland and only found in old-growth rainforest. It is a high-elevation specialist that appears to be highly vulnerable to heatwaves, forest loss and disturbance. Just like polar bears, they are highly sensitive to extreme temperature change. The white possum was once abundant in cool rainforests on Mount Lewis in northern Queensland, but its population collapsed abruptly following a severe heatwave in 2005. Today, just a handful of individuals are left, another possible victim of our new extreme climate, according to Bill Laurance at James Cook University in Cairns.
People in this episode
Host: ABC Australia
Topics covered
- Lemuroid ringtail possum
- climate change
- species vulnerability
- rainforest ecology
- heatwaves
Keywords
- Lemuroid ringtail possum
- climate change
- heatwaves
- species extinction
- rainforest
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: James Cook University
Books & works: The Science Show
Places: Far North Queensland, Mount Lewis, northern Queensland
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