Mountain Pygmy-possum

The mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) was thought to be extinct, but was discovered as a living animal in 1966. Restricted to the high country of Victoria and New South Wales, it is the only alpine dependent mammal in Australia and the only marsupial that hibernates.

Weighing in at around 45g, mountain pygmy-possums are about the size of a small rat or large mouse. They like cool, moist, rocky areas that provide shelter, protection from predators and abundant nesting sites. They hibernate best when the temperature in their nest is 2°C. This requires an insulating layer of snow above them to help keep the temperature constant.

Dr Linda Broome, National Parks & Wildlife Service, explained that the mountain pygmy-possum is one of our most endangered species. Pygmy-possums have to cope with loss of habitat, predation and global warming as well as competition from skiers! Dr Broome stressed the importance of improving environmental management in alpine areas and in ski resorts. Measures such as closing off the main habitat area will prevent compaction of the snow, damage to the vegetation and perhaps waking the possums up from hibernation during winter. In summer, the possums are quite active, with males moving as much as 3 kilometres in a night. Putting possum crossings across the ski runs allows the animals to cross safely without being worried by predators.

Further information

Dr. Linda Broome
Senior Threatened Species Officer
National Parks & Wildlife Service

Produced with the assistance of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Filmed on location at Kosciuszko National Park. No environmental damage was incurred on location.
The conservation values of the areas have been preserved.

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