In Australia, cubs of some of the smallest animals in the world were born. Pygmy possum: a unique marsupial animal Pygmy possum

Opossum (in Latin - belongs to the family of mammals, a species of marsupials. The animal represents very ancient and most specific marsupials. They appeared presumably at the end of the Cretaceous period. Now all available opossums live in the New World. After the appearance of the isthmus that connected South America with North, most of the representatives marsupials disappeared.In competition with animals moving from the north, only opossums managed to survive.A close relative of opossums from America is the rat-like opossum.Also, there are pygmy, Australian, Virginian opossums.

The animal itself is small. Length 7.5-50 cm, tail 5-56 cm. The muzzle is pointed and elongated. The tail is sometimes completely, and sometimes only at the end is bare, exciting, and sometimes it is enlarged at the base with fatty deposits. The body is covered with small but dense fur, the color of which changes from gray with yellowish-brown to black. The limbs are short, five-fingered. From behind, the paws are better developed than the front ones. Has 50 teeth.

Where do possums live?

Habitats extend from southeast Canada to Argentina, as well as the Antilles. Forests, semi-desert and steppe zones are their favorite habitats. Rarely found in the highlands. In nature, there is a species of aquatic opossums. The animal is most active at night. Leads a solitary lifestyle, except for mating time.

Features of behavior.

The tail serves as a fifth leg for the opossum, on which he often weighs upside down.
Animals are either omnivorous or insectivorous. An interesting fact is that the possum is a good artist. If he is frightened, he immediately lies down on the ground and pretends to be dead. At the same time, he foams from his mouth, his eyes glaze over, and a foul-smelling secret is launched from the anal glands. Such a sophisticated trick often saves the life of the animal.

Content at home.

It is better to start up to 2 months of age.
Possum is a small but active animal. He needs a lot of space and needs a spacious cage in which he will warm up.
The opossum needs company. therefore, if one opossum lives in the house, the owners are forced to take on the role of a companion. But if you have two animals, the cage should be bigger. It is better to start up to 2 months of age.

And now the most pleasant part - the photo gallery. Opossums are different animals.

What claws!

And this is how possums are born. Unique photo.

A photo. The female opossum carry their babies.

And yet, take the time and be sure to watch an interesting documentary " Wonderful nature. Episode 9.»

The pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis) belongs to the squamous order.

Distribution of the pygmy python.

The pygmy python is found in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia and occasionally in northeast Queensland.

Australian pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis)

Habitat of the pygmy python.

Pygmy pythons are numerous and widespread snakes in the tropical savannah and in the hottest and driest regions of Australia. These regions are characterized by very low rainfall, which usually occurs during the summer season. The habitat is represented by flat areas of the surface with sparse vegetation, which, as a rule, consists of low grassy bushes and stunted eucalyptus trees.

Dwarf pythons hide in the luxurious spinifex bushes during the day to avoid the scorching Australian sun. This type of snake hides in large termite mounds, under stones, where reptiles spend almost all daylight hours. As a rule, pygmy pythons share shelter with other species of reptiles, including black-headed pythons, brown snakes, moon snakes, broadband sand skinks, spiny skinks. There is speculation that pygmy pythons visit these mounds because daytime temperatures in the sandy mound can reach 38 C, ideal conditions for these snakes to breed. Inside the mounds, pygmy pythons and other snakes are intertwined with each other in the form of large balls. At this time, the pythons rest and escape from overheating.

External signs of a dwarf python.

Dwarf pythons are the smallest pythons in the world, measuring only about 60 cm and weighing 200 g. When they hatch, these tiny snakes are only about 17 cm long and weigh 4 grams. Females are slightly larger than males. The head is short and wedge-shaped neck, the body is thick, with well-developed muscles. The dorsal side is usually a dark red brick shade and patterned. Drawing in the form of four black marks. As a rule, patterns and color shades are brighter in young snakes, sometimes the pattern disappears completely when pythons grow up. On the ventral side of the body, the color is creamy white.

All pythons, including pygmy pythons, move forward in a straight line. This way of moving is achieved due to the rigidity of their ribs, which provides reliable support for the body, helping to move forward. Thus, pygmy pythons crawl on the ground and trees.

Reproduction of the pygmy python.

Like most small snakes, pygmy pythons exhibit mating behavior where several males and females are entwined into a ball. It is believed that such a reaction is the result of the action of the female's pheromones. Females release pheromones in response to a decrease in ambient temperature. The reproductive organ of the male is a forked hemipenes, which is hidden in the tail. Eggs of pygmy pythons develop at sufficient temperatures, which is important for breeding.

If the development of the embryos occurs at insufficient temperatures, then many eggs do not develop or snakes appear from them with a birth defect, such as kyphosis of the spine. Lower incubation temperatures can also lead to blackening or discoloration anomalies. To assist in the development process, the female pygmy python uses a small egg tooth located in front, it helps to break through the dense shell of the eggs so that the embryos receive the oxygen necessary for breathing. Parental care in pygmy pythons is expressed by the fact that female pythons wrap themselves around the clutch to protect the eggs while they develop. As soon as young snakes appear, they immediately become independent.

Dwarf pythons in nature live for more than 25 years. Captive somewhat less, up to 20 years.

Nutrition of the pygmy python.

Dwarf pythons kill prey by squeezing it with the rings of their body. Although constrictions suggest continuous pressure, they actually occur intermittently. Since muscle contraction requires a large amount of energy, interval muscle contraction saves energy. At the same time, the python does not immediately release the strangled victim, but again squeezes it very quickly if it continues to resist.

Dwarf pythons, night hunters. Hunting at night helps them avoid the extreme temperatures that are common in dry areas during the day. They use smell to track down their prey, while using a forked tongue they “taste” the air, and the information received is transmitted to the Jacobson organ in the oral cavity. The forked tongue in pythons is both an organ of smell and taste, it is in constant motion, detecting the presence of various particles in the air, soil and water, thus determining the presence of prey or predators. In addition, snakes have IR-sensitive receptors in the deep grooves between the nostrils and the eye. These structures allow the reptiles to "see" the radiated heat of the mammals.

Dwarf pythons detect the approach of other animals by weak vibrations in the air and on the soil.

The diet changes with age: young snakes usually feed on small reptiles, including geckos and skinks. As they grow older, their diet shifts towards eating small mammals, such as, which snakes catch in an amazing way. The pygmy pythons crawl up to a convenient ambush ledge at the entrance to the cave and attack bats as they fly in or out.

Adult snakes also feed on amphibians. Digestion of food almost always begins when the snake swallows the prey, because the saliva and gastric juice, which completely covers the prey, contains strong enzymes that break down food. The duration of digestion strongly depends on the size of the prey and the type of prey caught; sometimes the pygmy python digests large prey for several days, crawling into a secluded place.

Significance for a person.

Dwarf pythons are not aggressive snakes, so they are in demand as pets. They perfectly adapt to the conditions of keeping in captivity and are not demanding to special conditions of keeping and feeding.

Threats to the pygmy python.

Dwarf pythons are distributed throughout their natural habitat. The only serious threat that poses a danger to this species of snake is death under the wheels of cars, as pythons often cross roads during the peak hours of the working day. In addition, pygmy pythons are subject to smuggling, and attempts to export this species illegally outside of Australia have become more frequent. These actions are classified as a crime that is punishable by heavy fines and prison terms.

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Dwarf Australian or spotted python
(Antaresia maculosa)

Family Boa constrictor or pseudo-legged snakes (Boidae)
Subfamily Pythons (Pithoninae)
Genus Dwarf Australian pythons (Antaresia)
Size: length varies from 80 to 140 centimeters.
Degree of poisonousness: not poisonous.

A small snake that lives in the northern regions of Australia. The usual color of the snake is dark brown, chocolate, light brown or olive with small spots.
Timid by nature, pythons can be just the perfect pets. Their calmness, good disposition and small size attract breeders.

Food is small mammals, lizards and birds. Having caught the prey, the python throws its rings on it and squeezes them until the victim stops breathing. Then the snake calmly swallows the dead prey, starting from the head. Usually, rodents and even bats that approach their shelters become prey for these snakes. Reptiles choose caves and rocks as dwellings, but there must certainly be water nearby.
The average life expectancy of spotted pythons in the wild is 20-30 years. In captivity, life expectancy depends on proper care.

A female spotted python lays up to 15 eggs. She carefully wraps around the masonry and warms it by contracting the muscles. Before the cubs hatch, the female does not eat anything for three months. Juveniles often bite, although adults hardly bite.

nurse snake
Are there many miracles in the world? Enough! We will also add to them an unusual snake, which is in the nanny of the owlets.
This service is used by very unusual representatives of the owl kingdom - these are North American scoops. These are medium-sized birds with rusty or dark gray plumage with a complex pattern. The head is "decorated" with a pair of ears, which are only processes of feathers and are not related to the auditory organs of owls. Rather, such ears serve as an indicator of mood: the bird can fluff them up vertically or press them to the head. Scoops are mainly found in northeastern Mexico and east of the North American Rocky Mountains. They have another, very unusual name: screeching owls. When threatened, they make sounds that resemble the barking of a dog.
The nannies they "invite into the house" are narrow-mouthed snakes. These reptiles resemble earthworms in appearance, they are small in size, and generally do not exceed 30 centimeters. They live underground or among rocks. The diet of such snakes is made up of termites and various other insects. This is what makes them attractive "employees" for owls. Birds carefully take out these babies from their shelters and transfer them to their nests.
There are two not very different opinions about what really is the reason for such a settlement. Some believe that owls provide snakes with food, and they, in turn, protect the chicks and "home" from pests and hostile hunters. Despite their small size, they, as representatives of the snake kingdom, are still dangerous. Another opinion related to the reason for such cohabitation is as follows: owls want to protect the brought prey from insects. Basically, the diet of owls includes decapitated mice, sometimes various beetles. In order to protect their delicacies from insects, scoops "invite" snakes. The latter eat the larvae of hated pests that threaten the scoop's prey. They also eat up the remnants of food left by the owls, thereby maintaining the cleanliness and order in the nest.
Such nurses have been found in most of the nests of these cunning birds. Scientists were able to find out that the wards of such nannies have a higher chance of survival, and, no less surprising, the development of such chicks is much faster.
These are unusual cohabitants found in the wild.

At the Australian Taronga Zoo, over 20 cubs of the so-called pygmy flying couscous(Acrobates pygmaeus). This is the smallest of the flying marsupial mammals, and among other mammals it is one of the smallest. In size, this animal in adult form is only 6.5–8 cm long, and weighs 10–14 g.

Recently, 12 females of the pygmy flying couscous have given birth at the zoo at once, and now they are raising the cubs together. It is curious that in females in the last stages of pregnancy, the stomach becomes so large that it becomes very difficult for them to move around, that is, the cubs are born quite large relative to the mother's body. In fact, they are born no larger than a grain of rice, and there are usually 2 to 4 cubs in a litter. But for such a small animal, this is a burden.

In order not to disturb mothers with babies, caretakers have not yet examined them and therefore do not know exactly how many cubs were born. They give only an approximate number of about 20.

Keeper Rob Dockerill proudly reveals that Taronga Zoo was the first to deliberately breed these tiny couscous, and the cubs born are the largest group of siblings in years. The zoo began breeding pygmy couscous in 1988 and over 200 cubs have been born in the last ten years.

The pygmy flying couscous is also known as the pygmy flying possum or simply the pygmy flying squirrel. The English name of this animal - feathertail glider - literally translates as "feather-tailed glider".

Nothing is known exactly about the number of individuals of this species in the wild, but it occurs quite often and therefore is not considered a rare or endangered species. However, it is clear that their situation is difficult, as they have many predatory enemies from foxes to cats, and the forests where they live are shrinking due to logging.

A group of pygmy flying couscous live in an enclosure at the zoo's Australian Nightlife Exhibit. They mainly live on eucalyptus trees and feed on insect larvae, as well as sweet plant sap.

When cold, they are able to fall into a stupor, and the temperature of their bodies can drop to 2 ° C. The torpor can last up to 2 weeks.

On planet Earth, there are about two hundred species of marsupials. Of these, two-thirds consider Australia their homeland. On this continent, due to its isolation from other continents, its own unique fauna has been preserved. The most famous Australian marsupials are the kangaroo and the koala. But there are other animals that have a skin fold on their belly. The possum family also belongs to those. But not everything is so simple. The bag is not available for all types. Also, not all opossums live in Australia. Most of their species live only on the American continent. In this article, you will learn what kind of animal the pygmy opossum is. A photo of this cute baby will soften the heart, even not at all, especially when the baby is sleeping confidentially in human palms.

Why do you need a bag

Despite the different body structure, size, nutrition and lifestyle, most have one common anatomical feature. This is a bag, which is a skin fold on the belly of the female. It can be either very deep or barely noticeable, opening forward or backward. Many endemics of Australia are united by this anatomical feature, which has disappeared from animal species living on other continents. But at the same time, it is found not only on the Green Continent and in but also in South and North America. What is this abdominal cavity for? The fact is that the young of marsupials are born underdeveloped. After all, pregnancy does not last long - 8-40 days. They are actually embryos. For example, in a kangaroo, a newborn reaches only three centimeters in length. But they are very durable. Newborns climb the mother's belly in search of a pouch. There they find a nipple and cling to it for many weeks. Even having reached maturity, the young, in case of danger, seek shelter in the mother's pouch. But possums showed their uniqueness here too. Not all of them have bags. Some of them are equipped with a rudimentary fold, and some do not have it at all. For example, the pygmy opossum does not have a brood pouch.

Brief description of the family

The possum family has about eighty species. Most of them live in the equatorial forests of Central and South America. Outwardly, these small animals, 7-50 centimeters in size, resemble mice or rats. Moreover, some species have a bare, hairless tail. However, unlike rodents, this appendage plays a very important role in the life of the animal. With their tail, possums cling to the branches of trees, they also "rule" when jumping. Sometimes it is thickened at the base with deposits of fat. Opossums most often live in the crowns of trees, but there are species that lead a terrestrial or semi-aquatic lifestyle. They mainly feed on insects, but there are also those whose food is the nectar of flowers. The pygmy possum (Marmosa murina), also known as the Aeneas mouse, lives in trees in the rainforests between the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. These animals are active at dusk.

Despite the name, this is not the smallest member of the family. Its length can reach up to 31 centimeters, of which more than half falls on a prehensile bare tail. The coat of the animal is yellowish-gray on top, and the belly is a lighter color. Bags, as already mentioned, this type of opossum does not have. The animal lives in the crowns of trees - in hollows, voids under the bark. Aeneeva mouse is truly omnivorous. Does not disdain and bird eggs. But most of all she loves fruits, as well as a variety of crickets and other insects. The life expectancy of this mouse reaches eight years. The female brings 10-12 cubs to the litter. For lack of a bag, the babies just hang on her nipples. And when the cubs grow up a little, they move to the mother on the back.

Other types of pygmy opossums

This tiny animal can be called an elf. It feeds exclusively on flower nectar and fruits, like a moth. Meet the Oriental Pygmy Possum, or Dormouse. Its length is 12 centimeters, and eight of them are the tail. Dormouse are active in summer and sedentary in winter, for which they got their second nickname. When an opossum is well fed, it deposits fat at the base of its tail. The bare-tailed opossum, which lives in Brazil, Argentina and Peru, also belongs to dwarfs. He has no bag, and the length of the body reaches 15 centimeters. And the Chak opossum is considered the record holder among midgets. The length of his body is only 68 millimeters.

In fact, these small animals are a completely different family - Burramyidae. Yes, they are called possums. This name was given to animals by James Cook, who described a representative of the species at the discovery of Queensland. Far from biology, the captain compared the new animal with the American opossum known to him. But in his notes, he made a blot: he missed the initial letter "o". So the name "possum" was assigned to the Australian animal. Now scientists distinguish five species of the Burramyidae family. They are found in eastern Australia and New Guinea. Of these, only one species - mountain couscous - hibernates. The Australian pygmy opossum has a well-defined, forward-opening pouch. This animal has small rounded ears and a long prehensile tail.