[3] The Herbert River ringtail's diet mainly consists of leaves with high levels of protein.

[4] Some secondary food sources are pink bloodwood, cadaghi, bumpy satinash and white basswood.

[4] Since the P. herbertensis diet consists of these Eucalyptus trees, ecologist John Kanowski of the Rainforest Cooperative Research Centre at Atherton believes P. herbertensis is one of "seven rare marsupials" threatened by global warming.

[5] Kanowski believes that both the Herbert River Ringtail Possum and Daintree River Ringtail Possum are at risk because the increased temperatures from global warming force them and other marsupials to retreat up the mountains, thus “reducing [their] area of favorable habitat.”[6] However, Kanowski is more worried about the increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels.

"[6] Therefore, while P. herbertensis may seem secure, their dependency on the rainforest "makes them vulnerable to habitat destruction.