[Image of a mountain pygmy possum]
The mountain pygmy possum (_Burramys parvus_) is a small, nocturnal marsupial found in the alpine and subalpine regions of southeastern Australia. It is the only member of the genus _Burramys_ and is one of the smallest possums in the world, weighing only about 10 grams (0.35 ounces). Mountain pygmy possums have a thick, gray-brown fur with a white belly and a long, bushy tail. They are omnivores and feed on a variety of plants, insects, and small vertebrates. Mountain pygmy possums are semelparous, meaning that they die after breeding, typically after one to two years of life.