Well we had a very drama filled night two nights ago. Big Mumma ventured out and thought it time the new brushy baby start being a little more independent. This was a bit too early it seems, mumma was sitting with me eating her pear and baby was a few branches above when big daddy became a little too curious. He started heading towards the baby with malice in his eyes. Baby let out huge cries and that's when big mumma swung into action. She dropped her pear and within a few seconds it was on! she attacked daddy with all she had, he still headed towards the baby when big mumma slashed her claws into him and gave him a few choice bites with her iron jaws. This was enough to make him turn and head for the hills. But the baby brushy in her frightened state managed to find herself just hanging on upside down on a very narrow branch. The whole time I'm outside witnessing this event. I saw the baby struggling and was so afraid she was about to fall at any moment. I whipped my shirt off and held it between my arms to catch the baby if she fell while still hoping she wouldn't. Mumma was frantic trying to reach her crying baby but she was under the lip of the roof on a branch too thin to hold mumma up. Mumma came down near me and i pointed up and said "there she is, there she is" and with that big mumma scaled the tree and the next minute i see her stretched over the lip of the roof and hoisting up baby in her jaws and swiftly rescuing her. I must say i was relieved as were both Big mumma and baby. Mumma came down about 10 minutes later after they had a chance to calm down, baby was safely tucked up in mumma's pouch and mumma was ready for more pear. I'm not saying Big Mumma understands me or understood what i was pointing out, that's just nature and her mothering instincts that saved that little baby but i think she realised I'm no threat. So glad that they are safe and still unsure why the daddy brushy wanted to hurt the baby.
Here is big Mumma enjoying her pear, baby is keen to get back into the safety of the pouch.
But the other exciting news is that her previous child came back to visit us after almost two months of being absent. He is about twice the size now and looks very handsome. He still remembers us but is a little more timid of humans which isn't a bad thing. He is unmistakable with his almond shaped eyes and jaw line. Scary but after so many years with the possums i don't find it at all difficult to recognise any of them they all have unique points which make them easy to tell apart. We were very relieved to see him as his departure was sudden and all sorts of thoughts went through our heads about what happened to him, now we know he's safe and well. Its not unusual that the ringtail or brushtail kids try and return but typically are chased off by the parents. Strange thing was that Stumpy and Grabby the ringtail girls recognised him too and were happy to sit on the same branch to eat together which is something they wont do with the daddy brushtail and rarely with the mumma brushtail. I think because the little boy grew up so close with the ringtails he doesn't get aggressive with them. Anyway each day with the possums is a blessing and I'm just so lucky to share their space.
