Honey possum
| Honey possum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Suborder: | Phalangeriformes |
| Superfamily: | Petauroidea |
| Family: | Tarsipedidae Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 |
| Genus: | Tarsipes Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 |
| Species: | T. rostratus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tarsipes rostratus | |
| Honey possum range | |
| Synonyms | |
The honey possum or noolbenger (Tarsipes rostratus), is a tiny species of marsupial in the genus Tarsipes, which is assigned to the monotypic diprotodont family Tarsipedidae. The name of the genus means "tarsier-foot", given for a resemblance to tarsier's simian-like feet and toes noted by the earliest descriptions.
This species feeds on the nectar and pollen of a diverse range of flowering plants. Endemic to southwest Australia, it is an important pollinator for such plants as Banksia attenuata, Banksia coccinea and Adenanthos cuneatus.