Where does the mountain pygmy possum live?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

One 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.

Answer 3

The 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.

Answer 4

An 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.

Answer 5

The mountain pygmy possum has thick grey fur to keep it warm during hibernation.

Answer 6

Mountain 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.