It spends four or five months in the pouch. The young then rides on the mother's back for another two months before it is weaned. Brushtail possums are usually solitary and young weaned possums must find another nest site. In the wild many young possums die during the dispersal period. Ringtails are more social animals and will often share a nest or hollow, the mating seasons are similar, but the females will sometimes have two or occasionally 3 young in the pouch at a time.
Possums communicate by sound and scent.
Sharp hisses, screeches and deep guttural coughs are used often, particularly during the breeding season. Secretions from glands under the chin, on the chest and near the anus also are used to mark home ranges and to define occupancy of a homesite. The main problem is maintaing a constant body heat. If you do try, all feeding equipment must be sterilised. The baby possum needs to be lubricated daily with a mixture of Sorbolene Cream with 1 -2 drops of olive oil mixed in.