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Common brushtail possum vision: the science and the numbers

Trichosurus vulpecula · order Diprotodontia · Mammals: all the numbers

Its sharpest vision resolves 4.8 cycles per degree, against 63.75 for people in this dataset.[6] Both eyes see the same 125° in front of it.[8] The common brushtail possum stops seeing flicker at 22.4 Hz, against 60 Hz for people.[22]

See it on your photoBack to How does the common brushtail possum see?
  • 4.8cycles per degree (sharpness)Measured
  • 125°seen by both eyesMeasured
  • 22.4hertz flicker fusion (motion)Measured

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a mammal in the order Diprotodontia. Its eyes belong to the vision type Small prey mammal (UV): two or three cone types, often including ultraviolet, low sharpness and a near-panoramic field. Measured in this species: sharpness, field of view, night vision and motion (flicker fusion). Measured core: measured values on at least 3 of the 6 dials.

This is a simulation built from published eye measurements, not what the animal experiences.

Method: How we know what animals see (the See Like Animals vision engine) · Sources · Last updated . Every value below carries its evidence level and sources; nothing is typed by hand.

What the common brushtail possum sees: colour receptors

Common brushtail possum colour receptor peaks, 300 to 700 nmCommon brushtail possum: 3 receptor peaks at 424, 502, 538 nm; you: 3 at 421.5, 532, 558.4 nm. ultraviolet300400500600700
Common brushtail possum: 424, 502, 538 nmPeople: 421.5, 532, 558.4 nmWavelength in nanometres

What stands out

  • Its sharpest vision resolves 4.8 cycles per degree: the finest stripe pattern it can tell apart from grey.
  • Both eyes see the same 125° in front of it (binocular overlap), where depth is judged best.
  • It stops seeing flicker at 22.4 Hz, against 60 Hz for people in this dataset, so fast motion looks choppier to it.[23][24]
  • Activity pattern: nocturnal.

The six dials

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. "Measured" means a value measured in this species; "Estimated" values come from a close relative or an eye-size formula. The last column gives the values for people from the same catalogue.

Vision values for the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), catalogue-v1
DialValueEvidenceSourcesPeople
ColourColour receptors
3 receptor classes: 424 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 502 nm (MWS (green)), 538 nm (MWS (green))
receptor set of nearest measured relative Setonix brachyurus (same order Diprotodontia)
Group default[1][2]Colour receptors: 3 receptor classes: 421.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 532 nm (MWS (green)), 558.4 nm (LWS (long)) Measured (not re-verified)[1][3][4][5]
SharpnessAcuity
4.8 cycles per degree
median of 1 anatomical-ganglion rows (method priority rule)
Measured[6]Acuity: 63.75 cycles per degree Measured[7][6]
Field of viewBinocular overlap
125°
median of 1 rows (eyes-at-rest rows preferred)
Measured[8]Binocular overlap: 122.5° Measured[8][9]
Total field of view: 200° Measured (not re-verified)[10]
Blind area behind the head: 160° Derived[10]
Eye placement: frontal Derived[8][9]
Sharp zones (foveas)Number of foveas
0
median of 80 relatives in class Mammalia: Canis lupus, Vulpes lagopus, Acinonyx jubatus, Felis catus, Crocuta crocuta, Enhydra lutris
Group default[11]Number of foveas: 1 Measured[11]
Fovea type: fovea Measured[11]
Fovea type
area centralis		Group default[11]
Night visionActivity pattern
nocturnal
mode of 6 rows (of 6 rows): nocturnal
Measured (not re-verified)[12][13][14][15][16]Activity pattern: diurnal Measured (not re-verified)[12][17][13][1][14][15][18][16]
Pupil shape: vertical Group default[19][20]
Reflective layer (tapetum): no Measured[21]
Rods vs cones: cone-dominated Derived[12][17][13][1][14][15][18][16]
Rods vs cones
rod-dominated
nocturnal -> rod-dominated; crepuscular / cathemeral / mixed -> mixed; diurnal -> cone-dominated
Derived[12][13][14][15][16]
Motion (flicker fusion)Flicker fusion frequency
22.4 Hz
median of 1 rows (no bright-light flag) (behavioural/whole-eye ERG rows; all rows: [22.4])
Measured[22]Flicker fusion frequency: 60 Hz Measured[23][24]

All mammals side by side: Mammals: every measurement. Method: how we know what animals see.

Sources

  1. Longcore 2023
  2. VPOD in-vivo (MSP / single-cell) lambda… 2025
  3. Kirwan
  4. Müller et al. 2009
  5. Thermal Activation and Photoactivation of Visual… 2004
  6. Veilleux et al. 2014
  7. Kirk et al. 2004
  8. Heesy 2004
  9. Heffner et al. 1992
  10. Campbell & Green 1965
  11. Kopania et al. 2025
  12. Anderson et al. 2017
  13. Wilman et al. 2014
  14. Maor et al. 2017
  15. Jones et al. 2009
  16. Moura et al. 2024
  17. Borges et al. 2018
  18. Schmitz et al. 2011
  19. Banks et al. 2015
  20. Cervino et al. 2021
  21. Guareschi et al. 2025
  22. Haarlem et al. 2026
  23. Healy et al. 2013
  24. Inger et al. 2014

Every value cites its sources (all sources). Values were extracted from these works and converted (units, medians, derived values); changes are ours, and the listed sources do not endorse this site. Data: catalogue-v1, built 2026-09-29. Accuracy notes: how accurate is this? Method: how we know.