Long-tailed pygmy possum


The long-tailed pygmy possum is a diprotodont marsupial found in the rainforests of northern Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea. Living at altitudes of above 1,500 m, it eats insects and nectar, and may eat pollen in place of insects in the wild.

Names

It is known as sumsum in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.

Description

The long-tailed pygmy possum has large eyes, mouse/rodent-like ears, a pouch that opens anteriorly, and a tail that is about one and a half times as long as the body, giving the possum its name.

Behavior

Not much is known of this possum's behaviour, but what is known is that this species is both nocturnal and arboreal. In cold weather, it becomes torpid and looks and feels dead, but wakes at night. Not much is known on the origin of this torpor.

Life cycle

This species breeds twice a year. Females have one to four young born around January and February and sometimes a second litter from late August to early September. The young leave the nest when they are 45 days old.
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