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A mountain pygmy possum is a small, nocturnal marsupial, about 45grams in weight, found in the alpine and sub-alpine regions of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia.
One of Australia's few hibernating marsupials, the Mountain Pygmy Possum feeds on invertebrates, such as the Bogong moth, as well as fruits, nuts, nectar and seeds.
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∙ 13y ago
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∙ 14y agoOne of the main threats to the mountain pygmy possum is the human interference as a result of the possum's habitat coinciding with the location of Australia's main ski resorts. The possum's habitat is broken up by ski runs and human activities are a threat to this delicate creature. Introduced animals such as wild cats and foxes are also a problem. Another major threat to their survival is the introduced blackberry species which is gradually making its insidious way up the slopes of the mountains, choking out native species, and thus threatening the mountain pygmy possum's food source.
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∙ 13y agoThe mountain pygmy possum can only be found in Australia's alpine and sub-alpine regions above 1400m elevation, in New South Wales and Victoria. In NSW, it is found only in the Kosciuszko National Park, while in Victoria it can be found around Mt Bogong and the high Bogong Plains, parts of Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Mt Hotham, and between Mt Loch and Mt Higginbotham. Its habitat seems to be where Australia's main ski resorts are, and this is the biggest threat to its survival.
The mountain pygmy possum shelters in rock crevices and among the boulder-strewn slopes of these snowy areas, but only where the Mountain Plum Pine trees grow.
The mountain pygmy possum is Australia's only marsupial that is known to hibernate. At most, it hibernates for only three weeks at a time.
A distribution map for the Mountain pygmy possum can be found at the related link below.
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∙ 13y agoAn adult mountain pygmy possum weighs only about 45 grams and easily fits into a human adult's hand.
Prior to a prolonged hibernation period, the possums fatten extensively and can weigh up to around 75-80g.
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∙ 10y agoThe mountain pygmy possum has thick grey fur to keep it warm during hibernation.
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∙ 12y agoMountain pygmy possums need to be small so that they can shelter in rock crevices and among the boulder-strewn slopes and scree slopes of Australia's high, mountainous, snowy areas.
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Is there any pictures of a mountain pygmy possum?
A distribution map for the Mountain Pygmy Possum of Australia can be found at the related link below.
How many babies does the Mountain Pygmy Possum have?
The Mountain Pygmy possum generally has a litter of four joeys each breeding season.
What is a life span of a pygmy possum?
It depends on the species of the Pygmy possum. with the eastern Pygmy possum! for example! males tend to live to just four years! while females can easily reach eleven years. For the Mountain Pygmy possum, the life span is usually up to an extra year for both males and females.
Where does the pygmy possum live?
Mountain Pygmy possums live in the tops of mountains in the Victorian Alps. They can also be found in Mt kosiosko and in Papa New Guinea
Should you save the mountain pygmy possum?
Absolutely. This rare and delicate creature has as much right to live as other species.
What is an endangered animal in the alpine?
An endangered animal in the alpine is a Mountain Pygmy Possum
What do Pygmy Opossums eat?
There is no legitimate species called the "pygmy opossum".There are five species of pygmy possums.Mountain pygmy possums eat invertebrates including the Bogong moth, which migrates annually from the tablelands and lowland pastures of New South Wales to Australia's alpine region in the south-east, where it spends the summer before returning north again in autumn. This is its main source of food. It also eats fruits, nuts, nectar and seeds. The fruits and seeds of the mountain plum-pine, Podocarpus lawrencei, are especially important for the mountain pygmy possum in the summer and autumn when the Bogong moth is absent.The long-tailed pygmy possum, western pygmy possum, eastern pygmy possum and Tasmanian pygmy possum (or "Little pygmy possum") all eat insects, as well as pollen and nectar from native trees such as eucalyptus, callistemon and melaleuca.Pygmy possums eat beetles and small insects, and insect larvae, selected flowers, nectar and pollen. The Mountain Pygmy possum, which lives only in Australia's alpine regions, feeds on Bogong moths.
What do pygmy possums do when they have no food?
== == As with any species, if the mountain pygmy possum cannot eat, it will starve. This is becoming an increased possibility as, with the warming climates, the pygmy possums are coming out of hibernation up to a month before the bogong moths, (their preferred food) arrive after winter. It may be that the pygmy possum may learn to adapt, out of sheer desperation, but whether another food source can provide its unique dietary requirements is unknown. The mountain pygmy possum faces the very real possibility of extinction.
What type of Possum lives in Victoria?
Numerous possum species live in Victoria, but the state is best known for its faunal emblem, the Leadbeater's possum.Other species include the Common Brushtail, Ringtail, Mountain Pygmy possum, Feathertail Glider, Greater Glider and Sugar Glider.
When was Long-tailed pygmy possum created?
Long-tailed pygmy possum was created in 1877.
Which marsupials go into torpor?
Marsupials which go into torpor include the numbat, marsupial mole and other species of pygmy possums except for the Mountain Pygmy possum.
What do Mountain Pygmy Possums eat?
Mountain pygmy possums eat invertebrates including the Bogong moth, which migrates annually from the tablelands and lowland pastures of New South Wales to Australia's alpine region in the south-east, where it spends the summer before returning north again in autumn. This is its main source of food. It also eats fruits, nuts, nectar and seeds. The fruits and seeds of the mountain plum-pine, Podocarpus lawrencei, are especially important for the mountain pygmy possum in the summer and autumn when the Bogong moth is absent.
