The long whiplike tail is almost hairless and has a naked prehensile undertip. This possum can be distinguished from the other small Australian marsupials by its coloration and by its extremely long snout, which is about two-thirds of the length of the rest of the head. The tongue is long and bristled at the tip and can be extended for about 25 mm beyond the nose. Ridges on the hard palate scrape honey and pollen off the tongue when it is withdrawn through a channel formed by flanges on the upper and lower lips, assisted by the long, slender lower incisors. The upper canines and the lower incisors are the only well-developed teeth and reflect the soft diet of this animal.
Females have a well-developed pouch and four mammae.
The honey possum dwells on tree and shrub heaths and is an active, nimble climber. It moves short distances to trees and shrubs that are producing its favorite flowers, and several animals may assemble in one desirable place. It often hangs upside down, especially when feeding on flowers. Sometimes it shelters in deserted birds' nests, though it often constructs its own refuge. Nocturnal movements are concerned primarily with feeding.