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Tasmania has two species of pygmy possums, both of which are also found on mainland Australia and on some offshore islands. The Little Pygmy Possum Cercartetus lepidus is around 7g, while the Eastern Pygmy Possum Cercartetus nanus is around 24g (Complete Book of Australian Mammals). These possums are mice-sized, very secretive, and not very much is known of their natural history.

The biology of Pygmy Possums is not particularly well known, especially in Tasmania. This is largely due to the difficulty of trapping live animals for research purposes. Nonetheless, they are sometimes encountered by firewood cutters (probably animals disturbed from tree hollows) and through domestic cats bringing them home as prey. From these sources they are often brought into Animal Rescue shelters in Tasmania. Other observations come from chance encounters by such people as bushwalkers and birdwatchers, and from wildlife surveys. Generally, though, very few people see Pygmy Possums and they are notoriously difficult to find.

< Eastern Pygmy Possum
   (photo: Geoff Fenton/ Qug McKendrick)
 

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For information on Don's project please contact Don Hird at

donald.hird@education.tas.gov.au
or
dgh52@netspace.net.au

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