Behind the paperwork, Alice and Oscar are wild common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) — one of Australia’s most widespread and adaptable native marsupials, and a familiar night-time neighbour across much of Brisbane. This page is the serious one. It is where the human observer, rather than the management, does the talking.
Who they really are
The common brushtail is a nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial about the size of a domestic cat, with a bushy tail, large ears and very large dark eyes suited to seeing at night. Females carry young in a pouch. They are native to Australia and protected here — even the ones who behave as though they own your veranda.
Native & protected
Brushtail possums are a protected native species in Australia. It is against the law to harm them or to trap and relocate them without a permit. The kindest, and simplest, approach is to share the space and enjoy the company.
Feeding: the honest version
We put out the occasional carrot chunk or cos lettuce leaf, and this site cheerfully documents it. In the interest of doing right by the animals, here is the responsible position rather than the fun one:
- Wild possums do not need feeding. They forage perfectly well on leaves, flowers, fruit and buds. Treats should be occasional and small, never a food source they come to depend on.
- Offer suitable foods only. Small amounts of native leaves, and modest pieces of fruit or vegetable. Avoid bread, processed food, and anything sugary or salty.
- Never feed by hand as a rule. Alice does take a carrot from a hand, and it is charming — but hand-feeding wild animals is best kept rare, so they stay wild and wary of people who don’t have their best interests at heart.
- Keep it clean. Remove uneaten food so it doesn’t attract rats or spoil.
Living alongside possums
Possums are territorial and will happily adopt a roofline, a tree or a veranda as their own. If one moves into a space you’d rather it didn’t, the humane options are exclusion and patience — sealing entry points after they’ve left for the night, providing an alternative nest box, and letting them relocate themselves — never harm.
If you find an injured possum or an orphaned joey
Contact a licensed wildlife rescue service in your area straight away. In Queensland, the RSPCA Qld wildlife line and local wildlife-care groups can advise. Keep the animal warm, dark and quiet, and don’t offer food or water until you’ve spoken to a carer.
Why bother with all this?
Because the joke only works if the animals are genuinely well looked after. Alice and Oscar are funny because they are wild, free, and entirely uninterested in our rules. The best thing we can do for them is to keep it that way — a light touch, a bit of carrot now and then, and a great deal of respect.