common brushtail possum
Refers specifically to Trichosurus vulpecula, a marsupial native to Australia. In Japanese, the name literally means 'pouch fox'.
In Australia, common brushtail possums are often seen even in urban areas.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Compound of 袋 (fukuro, 'pouch') + 狐 (kitsune, 'fox'), referring to the animal's fox-like face and marsupial pouch. The exact origin of the Japanese name is uncertain, but it likely arose from early descriptions of Australian wildlife.