Knowra Honey possum Honey possum The honey possum is a tiny marsupial native to southwestern Western Australia. It feeds mainly on nectar and pollen, carrying pollen between flowers as it feeds.
Nectarivore : An animal whose diet consists mainly of nectar. Honey possums are specialized nectarivores, though they also eat pollen.
Tarsipes rostratus : The sole living species in the marsupial family Tarsipedidae. This is the scientific name of the honey possum.
Floral constancy : The tendency of an animal pollinator to visit one plant species during a foraging bout. Consistent visits can make honey possums effective pollinators of particular plant species.
Sugar glider : A small gliding marsupial that eats sap, nectar, insects, and other foods. Unlike the honey possum, the sugar glider is larger, glides between trees, and has a broader diet.
Pollen : Fine grains that carry the male reproductive cells of seed plants. Pollen supplies much of the protein in the honey possum’s otherwise nectar-rich diet.
Marsupial : A mammal whose young are born relatively undeveloped and usually continue developing in a pouch. The honey possum belongs to the diverse mammal group known as marsupials.
Pollinator effectiveness : A measure of how well a visitor transfers pollen and produces plant fertilization or seed set. Honey possums’ frequent flower visits can be evaluated by the pollen they actually deliver.
Feathertail glider : A tiny gliding marsupial that feeds on nectar, pollen, insects, and sap. Both are small nectar-feeding marsupials, but only the feathertail glider has a gliding membrane.
Pollination : The transfer of pollen from a flower’s anther to a receptive stigma. Pollen sticks to the possum’s face and fur and can reach other flowers.
Southwestern Australia : The region of Australia’s southwest, including a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. Honey possums occur only in this region.
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