Mountain Pygmy Possum - Definition and Overview

The Mountain Pygmy Possum (Burramys parvus) is a small, mouse-sized (weighs 45g) nocturnal marsupial of Australia found in dense alpine rock screes and boulder fields, mainly southern Victoria and Tasmania but also around Mount Kosciusko in New South Wales. It is approximately 11cm long; although its prehensile tail is longer than the head and body at almost 14cm. The Mountain Pygmy Possum eats insects (such as moths), fleshy fruits, nectar and seeds. It is covered in a thick coat of fine grey fur, but the long tail is hairless.

As of 1992, there were two geographically isolated populations, Mt. Bogong - Mt. Higginbotham/Mount Hotham (Victoria) and Kosciusko NP (New South Wales). For most of the year, males and females live apart from each other. The females live on the better part of the rocky slopes, while the males live on the margins, usually lower on the mountain. In order to breed the males migrate to the females habitat. However, on Mt. Higginbotham, the males had to cross a road at the peak of the sky season and their survival was put in danger. To solve the problem, the Tunnel of Love was constructed under the road.