Pygmy possums
Focus Questions
1.
The Mountain Pygmy-possum is a
a. Reptile
b. Monotreme
c. Marsupial
2. Where in Australia does the Mountain Pygmy-possum live?
3. Describe the habit of the possum.
4. What are the threats to the Pygmy-possum’s survival?
5. What is genetic diversity and why is it important?
6. Why did the scientists do to encourage genetic diversity?
7. Usually endangered species are bred _______________.
8. How did scientists test for genetic diversity?
9. How successful was the breeding program?
10. How has the `tunnel of love’ helped the possums?
EPISODE 10
1ST MAY 2012
Learning Area
Society and Environment
Key learning
Pygmy possums
Students will investigate the threatened Mountain Pygmy-possum and design a
public education campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of
preserving the species. Begin by clarifying students’ understanding of what
threatened, endangered and extinct means. Discuss with students why we need to
protect species’ - to ensure biodiversity (biological diversity).
Students will investigate the
threats to the Mountain
Pygmy-possum and develop
an education campaign to
raise public awareness.
Ask students to record key words from the BtN story and write a definition for
each.
Key word
Definition
Marsupial
Genetic diversity
Genes
Bred in captivity
Students then find out what the following words mean in relation to the Mountain
Pygmy-possum:
Prehensile
Torpid
Hibernate
Bogong moths
To create a public education campaign, students will need to identify:
 The main threats to the Mountain Pygmy-possum’s survival
© ABC 2012
Students can include
photographs, pictures or
diagrams in their report.

In what ways could recreational activities that are not managed properly
harm this possum?
 What actions are being undertaken to protect Mountain Pygmy-possums?
 How can people help protect Mountain Pygmy-possums when they visit
mountain resorts where it lives?
Discuss how their research findings can be presented to help raise public
awareness. Some possibilities include:

Short film or animation

Web page

Community service announcement (for television or radio)

Press release
As part of the research process, students may also choose to `ask an expert’ to
help them gather information. Museums and environmental organisations will be
useful places to contact.
Further investigations
Create a cartoon strip that helps raise awareness of the threats to the Mountain
Pygmy-possum population.
Make up a `What am I’ game based on Australian endangered animals.
Create picture book about the Mountain Pygmy-possum for younger students. Put a
copy of the book in your schools resource centre.
 Related Research Links
ABC Catalyst – Mountain Pygmy Possums
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3480289.htm
Melbourne Museum - Mountain Pygmy Possum
http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/wild/victoria
n-environments/alps/mountain-pygmy-possum/
Basin Kids – Mountain Pygmy Possum
http://kids.mdbc.gov.au/encyclopedia/wildlife/mammals/mountain_pygmy_possu
m.html
NSW Government – Mountain Pygmy-possum endangered but bouncing back
http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/mountain-pygmy-possums-endangered-bouncingback
© ABC 2012