Ringtail possums have just entered the first month of their eight month breeding season, which lasts from April until November each year.

According to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, the majority of Ringtails will be born between May and July, however they will stay in their mum's pouch for up to four months. After that, they will travel on their parents' backs.

For those of you who struggle to tell the difference, or perhaps didn't realise that there was a difference, between Ringtail and Brushtail possums, it's relatively simple.

“A Ringtail's tail has a white tip on the end, and is much thinner, and less furry than a Brushie's tail,” said Ms Susanna Bradshaw, CEO of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.

The Ringtails, which are breeding at the moment, are a lot quieter than the Brushtails when they run across your roof. They are also quieter in respect to the noises that they make, which sound a lot like 'wiffle', according to the FNPW.

The Ringtail possum tends to build nests in trees rather in your roof, so you can sleep easier in Ringtail mating season.

Ms Bradshaw said that they used to relocate unwanted possums, but don't do it anymore.

“Possums don't cope well with the change,” she said.

“Relocated possums can get bullied by the local possums, or they can't find enough food to eat in their new environment.

“So now we focus on living more harmoniously with our possum buddies,” Ms Bradshaw said.

This is relatively easy to do as Ringtail possums are fairly shy around humans, and rarely show aggression unless handled or provoked.

They are nocturnal, so the biggest threat presented by the Ringtails is that they will eat your favourite plants.

“It's important to understand that these possums have had to adapt to urban life in order to survive,” Ms Bradshaw said.

“We're not saying that you have to just put up with their desire to nibble on your flowers, you just need to be as smart as they are and come up with a solution that both parties will be happy with,” she said, suggesting solar lights near your plants or sprinkling 'Blood and Bone' fertiliser around the base of smaller plants to ward off your night-time visitors.

As for Ringtail mating season, just be patient and enjoy the sights of baby possums riding on their parents' backs in the months to come.

To report an injured possum, call your local wildlife carer.