Pygmy Possum
by Tahlia and Rhiahn
Description
The Mountain Pygmy Possum's total length is 10cm and over half is its tail. The fur is soft and fine, there is grey-brown fur and a creamy colour under its body. It has dark shadows around its eyes and has a pink nose.
Distribution
The Pygmy-Possum lives on the highest mountains of Victoria and NSW in alpine regions including the Kosciuszko National Park.
Habitat and Ecology
The Pygmy-Possum lives on the ground in rocky areas below mountain peaks. It east mainly invertebrates and has four babies in spring.
Threats
Predation from the red fox and feral cat is a big threat.The pygmy-possum can be mistaken for vermin when they enter ski lodges and other buildings and are killed by people.
Recovery Strategies
We need to control foxes and feral cat populations and we should not lay any rat traps around.
The Mighty Mountain Pygmy Possum Part 1 (Winter)
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons.
Information is from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/