Chipperfield Phlogiston Spankypants
...or "Mappy".
Mappy is a Lesser Gliding Possum, better known as a "Sugar Glider" or a "Flying Squirrel". He doesn't actually fly, but he's got these little flaps that go between his front and back legs where he can catch air and glide.
He's nocturnal, so the only time he's active is between about 1am and 11am. I don't get to play with him much because of this. Additionaly, since Sugar Gliders are very social creatures (like they live in little tribes...) by nature, this wasn't very good for Mappy, and he got very lonely and depressed. He became lethargic for about 4 months, and his growth was permanently stunted from this.
When Thing showed up, he started to get better right away. He's very active now, and likes to run around my office getting into things. He's not as brave as Thing, and doesn't chase the dogs, but he will take a swipe at Ike's nose if she gets too close.
Even though he's not the "alpha male" of the house, he's very vocal. He barks like a dog (albeit a very small one...) and makes this bizarre growling noise when he's mad. (It sounds like a tiny car engine revving.)
