As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle in the Australian sky, the nocturnal creatures of the land down under awaken and begin their nightly escapades. It’s a time when the quiet streets become stages for some of the most unexpected and wild performances nature offers.
For one driver, a regular drive home from the movies turned into a front-row seat at an impromptu wildlife showdown that he couldn’t resist capturing on film.
Riley Eli Jones, a 28-year-old resident of Canberra, found himself in the middle of a scene that could rival any action-packed blockbuster.
As he turned onto his cul-de-sac, his headlights illuminated a peculiar sight: two brushtail possums, poised and ready for combat in the middle of the road.
Initially concerned for the animal’s welfare, Jones quickly realised that he was witnessing a natural display of animal behaviour—a possum duel under the cover of darkness.
‘My first thought was it was an injured animal because of the way it was moving. But then when I sort of slowed down [I realised], oh, okay, no, there’s just two possums just having a nice, casual fight in the middle of the street,’ Jones said.
Without hesitation, he whipped out his phone to film the brawl, eager to share this slice of Australian wildlife with his family and friends.
The footage, now viewed by nearly 100,000 people online, showcased the possums in a tense standoff. With their hands near their faces, as if they were seasoned boxers, the marsupials seemed to be sizing each other up.
Then, in a flash of fur and fury, one possum launched an aerial attack with a move that would make any martial artist proud—a full-on fly kick to its opponent.
‘It was very quick. I never knew that they were capable of such moves, to be honest,’ he said.
Jones, who was serendipitously listening to the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Death Proof’ at the time, couldn’t have asked for a better score to accompany the drama unfolding before him.
‘The stars aligned with the music and the event. Amazing. I listen to all types of soundtracks, especially film soundtracks, and I was in a bit of that mood to listen to that song, and it just, yeah, all worked out,’ he said.
The possums’ scuffle continued for several seconds, a whirlwind of swings and tussles, before they disappeared into the bushes, likely to continue their dispute away from the human gaze.
‘I’m sure they continued their fight elsewhere,’ he said.
Brushtail possums, known for their solitary and nocturnal habits, are no strangers to conflict, especially when defending their territory or vying for mates.
The video, shared online by Jones’ mother, has captured viewers’ amusement and awe with humorous and admiring comments.
‘Fighting on the road is so Australian,’ one viewer said, while another shared, ‘This happens up in my roof cavity all the time. They’re cute looking but fight all the time.’
Another chimed in, ‘7 pm. I’ll meet you on the street, and we shall sort it out once and for all!’
Have you ever had a close encounter with Australia’s wildlife that left you reaching for your camera? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
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