Squirrel Glider

About the Squirrel Glider

The squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a nocturnal gliding possum and is one of the wrist-winged gliders of the genus Petaurus. The home range of this species extends from Bordertown near the South Australia/Victorian Border, through south-eastern Australia to northern Queensland. It was thought to be extinct in South Australia since 1939, until a genetic test confirmed they still inhabited the area.

In south-eastern Australia the squirrel glider lives in the dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands, whilst in Queensland they occupy a wetter eucalypt forest. The squirrel glider will make a den in a hollow tree and line it with leaves. Here it will sleep, usually living in groups of one male, two females and their offspring.

Like most of the wrist-winged gliders, the squirrel glider is endemic to Australia. It is about twice the size of the related sugar glider (P. breviceps), with a body that is 18–23 cm long and a tail measuring 22–33 cm. It weighs around 230g or 0.5 lbs and has blue-grey or brown-grey fur on its back and a white belly. The end of the tail is black and there is a black stripe from the eyes to the middle of the back. They have a flying... Wikipedia →