Main Content
Eastern Pygmy-possum
Cercartetus nanus
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species in New South Wales (Threatened Species Conservation Act).
 |
What does it look like?These pygmy possums are tiny (15 to 43 grams) active climbers, with almost bare, prehensile (capable of curling and gripping) tails, and big, forward-pointing ears. They are light-brown above and white below. Adults have a head and body length between 70 -110mm and a tail length between 75 -105mm. (from DEC NSW Threatened Species Profile) |
Where does it live?
They are distributed in suitable habitat in the south-east corner of Australia and Tasmania. Suitable habitat includes rainforest to sclerophyll forest and tree heath provided there is food available. They are patchily distributed with a low abundance.
There have been records for a number of locations in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park however outside there are only two. One was seen in Church Point in 1969 and another was rescued and released in Ingleside in 2005. This low number of sightings should not be seen as indicative of numbers however as they are a cryptic species and may still occur in larger areas of bushland.
What do they eat and what is their life cycle?
Their diet includes Banksia, eucalypt and bottlebrush nectar and pollen. They will also eat insects and soft fruit throughout the year if they are living in areas where nectar and pollen are less abundant. The Eastern Pygmy-possum may play an important role in the pollination of their feed plant species.
A nocturnal species, they live mainly solitary lives and spend some time in torpor during winter. The possums are agile climbers however they are often caught in pitfall traps indicating they spend a proportion of time on the ground. Average home ranges have been estimated at 0.68ha for a male and 0.35 for a female.
| Nests are created in tree hollows or spherical nests are wedged under bark of eucalypts, abandoned bird nests or in branch forks. Breeding can occur throughout the year if abundant food is available, however there is a peak in late spring to early autumn. Most females have two litters a year. The females carry four young in the pouch for 30 days, and are weaned at 65 days. The maximum longevity in the wild is at least 4 years. |  |
Updated: 18 Jul 2011
Related Links
- Eastern Pygmy-possum - DEC NSW Threatened Species Profile