Pygmy-possums

A pygmy-possum is the size of a mouse, with a tail that can curl around and grip branches. This is called prehensile (say pree-hen-sighl). Pygmy-possums are nocturnal - active at night and asleep in the day in tree hollows. Because they are so small, it is difficult for them to stay warm in very cold weather, so they stay inactive, or torpid, for a few weeks at a time in winter to save energy.

The tiny Mountain pygmy-possum is the largest of the pygmy possums. Photograph with permission from The Melbourne University Voice

Pygmy-possums are marsupials, which mean the babies are born very undeveloped, and climb into the mother's pouch where they finish developing . Pygmy-possums then keep their young in a nest until they are fully developed.

Little pygmy-possum	Found in Tasmania & in Victoria's Mallee.	The smallest possum. Weighs about 9 grams and measures about 6.5 cm, with a 7.5 cm tail.
Eastern pygmy-possum	Found in forests along the eastern coast of Australia and in Tasmania.	Eats pollen, nectar, fruit & insects. Tongue has a brushy tip to gather pollen.The base of its tail stores fat, which helps it survive when torpid.
Long-tailed pygmy-possum	Found in rainforest of northern Queensland & New Guinea	They make their nests of leaves. Eat insects, nectar.
Western pygmy-possum	Found in southwestern areas of South Australia and Western Australia.	Feeds mainly on insects.
Mountain pygmy-possum	Found only in Mt Hotham in Victoria and Mt Kosciuszko in New South Wales, above the snowline. Loss of habitat, which has been developed for skiing.	Endangered. Once thought to be extinct, then re-discovered. The largest pygmy- possum: body 10-12 cm long, tail 15 cm. The only marsupial that ibernates in winter. In summer eats Bogong moths, insects, spiders, worms. Stores seeds to eat in winter. When snow is over a metre deep, it gets about in tunnels close to the ground. It also gets torpid (sleepy) for days.
Feathertail glider	Forests and woodlands of eastern Australia. Arboreal (living in the treetops) The smallest gliding mammal in the world. Preyed on by owls and other birds, snakes, large lizards, foxes, feral cats.	Bluish grey colour, body about 8 cm, prehensile tail about 8 cm with fringe of hair either side so it looks like a feather. Weighs less than 15 g. Thin skin between front and back legs each side stretches when animal glides between trees (up to 20m distances). Has unusual extra pad on sole of foot for extra grip for vertical surfaces.

If you use any part of this in your own work, acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Pygmy-possums [online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2000)