Eastern Pygmy Possum
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| Cercartetus nanus (Desmarest, 1818) |
The Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus nanus) is a diprotodont marsupial of south-eastern Australia. Occurring from southern Queensland to eastern South Australia and also Tasmania,[1] it is found in a range of habitats, including rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heath.
This pygmy possum is very small, weighing from 15 to 43 grams and having a body length of between 70 and 110 millimetres. It is light-brown abouve and white below, with big, forward pointing ears and a long, almost bare, prehensile tail.
The Eastern Pygmy Possum is an active climber. It feeds mostly on nectar and pollen, especially from Banksia, Eucalyptus and Callistemon species. It also feeds on insects, and will eat soft fruits when flowers are not available. It is a largely solitary animal, sheltering in tree hollows and stumps, abandoned bird-nests, and thickets. During winter it spends time in torpor.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 45. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ^ Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group (1996). Cercartetus nanus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
