Western Pygmy Possum. Weighing an average of just 13g and growing to around 80mm these tiny possums are one of Australia’s smallest marsupials. Patchily distributed across southern Australia, Western Pygmy Possums can be found in southern WA and SA, and western VIC and NSW. Unfortunately due to habitat loss and and predation by foxes and cats, they are listed as endangered in NSW and threatened in VIC. We still have them around the Chittering area, and actually have them on our property. They are rarely seen due to their nocturnal nature. They are mostly arboreal; spending much of their time hidden in trees. It is here that they move stealthily and carefully between branches, foraging through leaves in search of nectar, pollen and invertebrates. These possums can breed at any time during the year, having up to three consecutive litters of six if conditions are ideal. When in torpor, Western Pygmy Possums are found with their ears folded around their face, tail curled towards their body and fists in balls covering their eyes. Torpor can last from as little as one day up to two weeks.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:25:07 +0000
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