Burramyidae - pygmy possums
There are five species of tiny marsupials in this family. They are mouse-sized and are found in
Australia and New Guinea. The have small, triangular heads; long,
prehensile
tails, and big round eyes. They are nocturnal, live in trees, and eat insects. Species in this family include: the
mountain pygmy-possum, the
long-tailed pygmy possum,
the western pygmy possum, eastern pygmy possum, and the
Little pygmy possum.
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable
Endangered Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
None
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None |
Additional Information
Key: Profile Photos Video Audio
Little Pygmy Possum - Cercartetus lepidus
The little pygmy possum is also known as the Tasmanian pygmy possum. It is found on the island of Tasmania and on the on the mainland of Australia at the border between south-eastern South Australia and northwestern Victoria.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Little Pygmy Possum - Cercartetus lepidus
At between 2-3 inches in length, not including its tail, the little pygmy possum is the smallest of all possum species.
Source: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Long-tailed Pygmy Possum - Cercartetus caudatus
The long-tailed pygmy possum is found in temperate rainforests in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mountain Pygmy Possum - Burramys parvus
The mountain pygmy possum is the largest of the pygmy possums.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mountain Pygmy Possum - Burramys parvus
The mountain pygmy possum is nocturnal; during the day it sleeps curled up in a ball to conserve heat.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mountain Pygmy Possum
See what is being done to save the mountain pygmy possum.
Source: Zoos Victoria Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School
Mountain Pygmy Possum - Burramys parvus
The mountain pygmy possum was only known from fossil records until it was discovered in the Australian Alps in 1966.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mountain Pygmy Possum - Burramys parvus
The mountain pygmy possum has a mouse-like body covered in thick grayish fur.
Source: Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mountain Pygmy Possum - Burramys parvus
The mountain pygmy-possum hibernates under the snow in winter.
Source: Australian Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Western Pygmy Possum - Cercartetus concinnus
The western pygmy possum is found in southwestern, southern, and southeastern Australia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Western Pygmy Possum - Cercartetus concinnus
The western pygmy possum is nocturnal. During the day it is found in leaf-lined tree hollows, grass trees, and old birds' nests.
Source: Australian Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School |