Widespread in New Guinea. Also found in the vicinity of Cairns, northeastern Queensland, Australia. (Collins 1973)

Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )

The tail of Cercartetus caudatus is approximately 135 mm in length, and the head and body together are approximately 106 mm . The tail length varies between 128 and 151 mm; the tail can be nearly one and a half times the length of its head and body. Other characteristics include large eyes, mouse-like ears, a pouch that opens anteriorly (as in didelphids), a well-developed and opposable hallux that does not have a claw, expanded pads at the ends of the digits, quadritubercular molars, a broad, flattened skull, and three upper incisors and one lower incisor that are enlarged and procumbent. (Lawlor 1979, Ride 1970, Strahan 1983, Vaughan 1986)

Average mass: 30 g.

• Terrestrial

Cercartetus caudatus live in temperate rainforests, at altitudes of more than 300 meters. (Strahan 1983)

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Cercartetus caudatus have been found to eat nectar and insects in captivity, and may consume pollen instead of insects to meet protein needs in the wild. The dental morphology of C. cauatus (quadritubercular molars) is consistent with the insectivorous component of their diet. The lower central incisors of C. caudatus are similar in dimension to those of Gymnobellideus, which uses its lower incisors for wood gouging, suggesting that C. caudatus also uses its lower central incisors to gouge wood, looking for insects. Although not much is known about this animal, the tooth morphology, as well as an examination of several specimans' stomach contents, has shown that the Long-tailed pygmy possum is predominantly insectivorous. (Smith 1986)

The Long-tailed pygmy possum appears to breed twice a year, with young being born in January and February and also from late August to early November. An increase in the size of the testes of males observed twice a year (during the presumed breeding seasons) seems to support this observation. The female has 1-4 young at a time and has 4 teats to support these young. The gestation period of C. caudatus is unknown, but young leave the pouch when they are about 45 days old and weigh between 5 and 7 grams. (Strahan 1983)

Average number of offspring: 2.85.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 460 days.

This species is listed under a lower risk (near threatened) category. The biggest threat to the Long-tailed pygmy possum is the destruction of rainforests, which is its natural habitat. Also, because this species is not widespread throughout Australia, any rainforest destruction in its range may have a large impact on the abundance of this animal. The Long-tailed pygmy possum is widespread in New Guinea and does not seem to be in special danger there. (Maxwell, et al. 1996)

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern