Pygmy Possums are a group of tiny, nocturnal marsupials that inhabit the forests, heathlands, and alpine regions of Australia. There are five species of pygmy possums in Australia, each belonging to the family Burramyidae. The five species are grouped into two genera, Burramys and Cercartetus:
- Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus nanus)
- Long-tailed Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus caudatus)
- Little Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus lepidus)
- Western Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus concinnus)
- Burramys contains only surviving one species, the Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus), with three other species known only from fossils.
The Mountain Pygmy Possum, one of Australia’s few hibernating marsupials, is a rare survivor from an ancient lineage of mammals that existed over 25 million years ago. Unlike other possums, it spends the harsh winter months in a deep hibernation, living off fat reserves to survive the extreme cold of its alpine habitat.
Weighing just 10 to 50 grams, the species in the Cercartetus genera are agile creatures are remarkable climbers, using their prehensile tails and dexterous limbs to navigate through tree branches and shrubs in search of food. The Mountain Pygmy Possum however is terrestrial, moving over and between boulders.
Brad Leue/AWCEvolved to survive
Pygmy possums have evolved to thrive in diverse, often challenging environments across various environments, from the humid rainforests of the east to the cold, snowy peaks of the Australian Alps.
They have a soft fur which is fawn to grey on top and white underneath and their large eyes allow for excellent night vision, while their acute hearing helps them detect the quiet movements of predators or prey in their surroundings.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, as well as nectar, pollen and small fruits, making them important pollinators, especially of native plant species such as banksias and eucalypts.
During the day, pygmy possums construct small spherical nests out of bark, shelter in tree hollows, dense underbrush, or under rocks, emerging at night to forage. Their ability to store fat in their tails is a key adaptation that enables them to survive periods when food is scarce.
Typically solitary, males have a larger home range than females. Their territories are non-exclusive and overlapping, and sometimes individuals share a communal nest.
In cold conditions, they enter a state of torpor to conserve energy – curling up, folding in their ears and lowering their internal temperature and metabolic rate. This can last for a few hours or for days on end. The Mountain Pygmy Possum is exceptional in hibernating up to seven months under snow.
Wayne Lawler/AWCLearn about the species of pygmy possums protected on AWC wildlife sanctuaries and partnership areas.
