Pygmy Possum
By Bronte and Senece
Description
The pygmy-possom has grey -brown fur and has a pink nose. It has dark shadows around the eyes and it has 5 (not 4) front toes. It is only 10 cm long.
Distribution
The pygmy-possom only lives in alpine and subalpine areas on the highest mountains of Victoria and NSW.
Habitat and Ecology
The pygmy-possom lives on the ground in rocky areas where boulders have accumulated below mountain peaks. 70% of its diet is invertebrates and it also eats fruits and seeds. They have four babies in spring.
Threats
Pygmy Possums are killed by the Red Fox and Feral Cats. They are also mistaken as rats and mice and killed buy people. Global warming is reducing snow cover reducing food and leaving them open to attack.
Recovery Strategies
We need to control foxes and feral cats in their habitat. Do not use rat traps or poisons and support action to reduce global warming.
Act Wild for Mountain Pygmy-possums
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons.
Information is from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/