Abstract

Sixty-four wild possums, housed in individual cages, were divided into four groups based on sex and colour phase (dark or grey). The animals were assessed for fur quality and growth in March and were pair-matched for sex, colour phase, fur quality and growth. One possum from each pair was implanted with a 18 mg melatonin implant. By June there was a small improvement in fur quality which was independent of the localised regrowth of patches of missing fur. No overall change in the level of fur growth representing seasonal pelage renewal was recorded. The younger possums had a higher fur quality than older animals (p<0.001) but over the course of the experiment the difference (p0.05) than male pelts. Melatonin had no effect, either on pelt characteristics or on live weights.

RJ, Parker, and AM Nicol

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 50, , 275-278, 1990