Photo credit: Marina Murua
The Mountain Pygmy-possum
The Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is an enchanting marsupial species endemic to the alpine regions of Australia. This nocturnal, tiny possum is unique for several reasons:
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Hibernation: Unlike most Australian marsupials, the Mountain Pygmy-possum hibernates during the winter months. It stores up body fat and seeks refuge beneath the snow, which acts as an insulating blanket.
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Diet: Their diet is diverse, ranging from Bogong Moths, which provide a high-energy food source during summer, to seeds and fruits. This adaptability helps them thrive in the harsh alpine environment.
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Conservation Status: The species is Critically Endangered, with habitat fragmentation, climate change, and human activities threatening their survival. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their habitat and boost their population.
Despite being rarely seen by the public, the Mountain Pygmy-possum has become an icon of Australia's unique wildlife and a symbol of the pressing need for conservation. Their story is a remarkable testament to the resilience and adaptability of life in extreme conditions.
Key Threats to the Mountain Pygmy-possum:
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Predation: Feral cats and foxes are major predators of the Mountain Pygmy-possum. These introduced species have a significant impact on the possum population. Feral cats are highly efficient hunters and can decimate possum populations, particularly in areas where the possums are already struggling due to other threats. Foxes pose a considerable threat as they can cover large areas and hunt both adult possums and their young. Predation pressures make it challenging for the possum population to recover and thrive.
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Climate Change: The Mountain Pygmy-possum's habitat is extremely sensitive to climate change. Warmer temperatures and reduced snowfall disrupt their hibernation, as the insulating snowcover they rely on diminishes. This can lead to increased energy expenditure during winter, making it harder for them to survive. Additionally, climate change affects the availability of their food sources, such as the Bogong moth, which is a critical part of their diet. Shifts in climate patterns can lead to a decline in moth populations, further threatening the possums' survival.
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Habitat Fragmentation: Roads, ski resorts, and urban development have divided the once-continuous alpine habitat of the Mountain Pygmy-possum into isolated patches. This fragmentation not only limits their movement and breeding opportunities but also leads to smaller, isolated populations. As a result, there is reduced genetic diversity, which can weaken the population's resilience to diseases, reduce reproductive success, and lower their ability to adapt to environmental changes. This genetic decline makes the species more vulnerable to extinction.
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Weed Invasion: Invasive plant species, such as blackberries and willows, encroach upon the possum's habitat, altering the natural landscape. These invasive weeds can outcompete native vegetation, reducing the availability of food and shelter for the possums. The dense growth of invasive plants can also make it difficult for possums to move around and find suitable nesting sites. Weed invasion, therefore, contributes to habitat degradation, further complicating conservation efforts.
These threats collectively endanger the survival of this unique alpine species.
Photo credit: Marina Murua
About our project
The North East CMA are nearing the end of the second year of a 5-year recovery program focussing on threat control, species monitoring and increasing opportunities for First Nations groups to shape and contribute to all project activities.
Between 2023-2028 this project will:
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Support leadership of First Nations Groups to increase their knowledge of the Bogong Moth as an important food resource to the Mountain Pygmy-possum by developing a First Nations led Bogong Moth monitoring program with stations deployed at Mount Buller, Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek.
Photo credit: Jess Houghton
Key Contacts
Jess Houghton, Project Officer Biodiversity jessica.houghton@necma.vic.gov.au
Phillip Falcke, Senior Project Officer Biodiversity phillip.falcke@necma.vic.gov.au
Helen Wilson, Manager NRM Delivery and Planning helen.wilson@necma.vic.gov.au
Sam Hagen, Community Support Officer Sam.hagen@necma.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 216 513
Acknowledgement
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by North East CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners Panel with support from project partners: Parks Victoria, Alpine Resorts Victoria (Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Mount Buller/Stirling), Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Taungurung Land and Waters Council, Jaithmathang Traditional Ancestral Bloodline Original Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Konermar Buller Jaithmathang, Ecology Links, Zoos Victoria, and Cesar Australia.
