Cercartetus nanus

14 Eastern Pygmy Possum at Tinderry Mountains

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Identification history

Cercartetus nanus	17 Jan 2024	DonFletcher
Trichosurus vulpecula	16 Jan 2024	CarbonAI
Cercartetus nanus	16 Jan 2024	markus

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Significant sighting

MichaelMulvaney noted:

17 Jan 2024

New recorded location for this vulnerable possum

User's notes

Drinking for around 30sec, one still photo and one frame from the video when facing the camera but on the move. We have a lot of antechinus (smaller) and rattus (larger) on our property, this is very different. Large ears, large forward looking eyes, blunter snout than A. The float on the right is 8cm long, 4cm wide. This is at 1300m ASL, in big granite and eucalyptus country. Not seeing the tail curl, but nowhere to curl onto. Video can be provided on request.

4 comments

DonFletcher wrote:

17 Jan 2024

@Markus, please check and correct the location as there appears to be no development anywhere near where this has mapped (such as a dwelling with a pond).

Head shape is ambiguous in these images (I did not request the video) and tail seems longer than head body (like Black Tat BR Rattus rattus). Also both EPP and BR have long ears. Confirmed as EPP on basis of: size in relation to float (so not an adult rat), tail tapering more strongly than is usual in Rattus, and impression of possible furred base of tail (a feature of EPP not found in BR).

markus wrote:

17 Jan 2024

Thanks @DonFletcher! I'd estimate the length at about 6-7cm ex-tail, based also on the many birds we record on this dish. The location is correct, this is our property, 500a mostly adjacent to the Tinderry Nature Reserve, and all native bush (the map shape we got set up on NM is a-little-incorrectly called "Tinderry Mountains"). There is indeed no development on the property now, and there won't ever be much. Aside, this capture is from one of our 15+ survey (and security) cameras, only this one and one other (e.g. Phaps elegans (Brush Bronzewing)) have permanent (rain)water on offer; we cart that in. We run tours :-) a few NM folks are regular visitors. Let me know if you'd like to see it.

Illilanga wrote:

17 Jan 2024

Nice one Markus. Let the team know via the contact form if you want the map amended for your property. Sandra :)

Harrisi wrote:

18 Jan 2024

Exciting stuff Markus, well done!

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