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There are 5 known species of pygmy possums in Australia: The mountain, western, eastern, Tasmanian, & the long-tailed pygmy possum. All possums are marsupials (rear their young in pouches located on their stomachs, called a marsupium). These are among the very few Australian animals that can’t kill you. They may want to, but they just can’t. Most pygmies are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Burramyidae Weight: Up to 1.6 oz Length: Up to 3.9 inches Lifespan: Up to 12 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) Its fur is fine but very dense keeping the animal warm in sometimes freezing temperatures.

2.) The Mountain Pygmy possum is the only Australian marsupial that hibernates.

3.) Pygmy possums primarily eat nectar, but some eat insects.

4.) They have prehensile tails that they use to grasp branches and to assist in climbing.

5.) Like other marsupials, their tails swell with fat reserves when there is ample food supplies.

But wait, there’s more on the pygmy possum! 6.) It’s hard to know the exact amount and distribution of pygmy possums since they are very hard to capture.

7.) The pygmy possum is a solitary creature and males have a larger home range than females.

Did you know…? The Mountain Pygmy Possum is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN!

8.) Pygmies are nocturnal (active at night).

9.) Owls , Tasmanian devils , dingoes , quolls , goannas , and snakes are the primary predators of pygmy possums. Feral cats , foxes , and dogs have also been added to this predator list.

10.) They usually have between 3 – 4 babies each year.

Now a Short Pygmy Possum Video!

Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel . Videos added frequently!

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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here ! toolTips('.classtoolTips5','

This is a state of metabolic depression and inactivity in endothermic (warm blooded) creatures. It is displayed as a reduced heartbeat (by up to 95%), low metabolic rate, slow breathing, and low body temperature. Critters that hibernate typically prepare for it by building up an abundance of body fat during late summer and autumn that helps provide them with energy throughout the winter months. There are 2 types of hibernation : facultative & obligate hibernation. Facultatives hibernate when it’s too cold and food supply has been reduced. Obligates are able to sleep despite access to food and comfortable temperatures. A facultative hibernator would be the black-tailed prairie dog . A few obligate hibernators are: ground squirrels , mouse lemurs , and butterflies .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator. The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

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Organisms that are nocturnal are active at night. Animals that fit into this category are typically prey animals that rely on the cover of darkness as a defense. Granted, there are no shortage of predators at night. Some organisms adopt a nocturnal lifestyle due to climate issues. Many desert dwelling animals are nocturnal as it is simply cooler outside at night. Aardvarks , badgers , bandicoots , and aye-ayes are just some examples of nocturnal creatures.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips29','

Coming from the Latin term omnis (meaning all or everything) and vorare (meaning to eat or devour), omnivores are animals that consume plant and animal matter. Some animals that fit into this category are pigs , dogs , coatis , bears , hedgehogs , chimpanzees , and more.');

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The World’s Cutest Possum, the Pygmy Possum