ANIMAL SPECIES:Eastern Pygmy Possum
The Eastern Pygmy Possum is a tiny marsupial.
Identification
The Eastern Pygmy Possum has the following distinguishing features:
- Front teeth Three pairs of upper incisors, one pair of lower incisors.
- Head Rounded head and very large eyes. Long whiskers.
- Ears Large ears.
- Colouring Fawn above, white below. Soft dense fur.
- Tail Prehensile tail with seasonally fattened base, naked underside, furred above, tapers to fine point. 75-105 mm.
Size range
Body 70 mm - 110 mm, Body weight 15 g - 43 gSimilar Species
Sometimes mistaken for a rat or mouse.Habitat
The Eastern Pygmy Possum lives in forests, from rainforest and sclerophyll to heath.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The Eastern Pygmy Possum feeds on nectar and pollen from eucalypts, banksias, and bottlebrushes, supplemented by insects and fruit.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Eastern Pygmy Possums are nocturnal.
Life cycle
Mother Eastern Pygmy Possums nest with their young in tree hollows or in small spherical nests of shredded bark. The possums may also shelter in abandoned bird nests or the forks of trees.
Classification
- Species:
- nanus
- Genus:
- Cercartetus
- Family:
- Burramyidae
- Order:
- Diprotodontia
- Subclass:
- Marsupialia
- Class:
- Mammalia
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Eastern Pygmy Possums on flower View full size
K Atkinson
© Australian Museum
Support us
Your support will have a real impact.
Online Shop
Great gifts.
Australian Museum Members
Join today.
Australian Museum Business Services
Professional consulting.
Museum as a Venue
Unique spaces.
Media Resources
Contact Publicity.