Native to Australia, this creature is unique among gliding animals because it’s not related to other gliders like the sugar glider; instead, it’s a large possum. One of its most distinctive features is its ability to glide long distances—up to 100 meters (328 feet)—between trees. This is thanks to the large flaps of skin that stretch from its elbows to its ankles, which catch the air as it leaps, allowing it to soar gracefully through the air.

The Southern greater glider is about the size of a cat, with a body length ranging from 35 to 45 centimeters (12 to 18 inches) and a tail almost as long, which helps it steer while gliding. It has a fluffy, thick coat that can be various shades of grey or brown and a large, round head with big ears. This makes it not only a cute creature but also well-adapted to its environment. The dense fur offers excellent insulation against the chilly nights in the Australian eucalyptus forests where it lives.

These gliders are nocturnal, spending their nights gliding and foraging for food while spending the day sleeping in hollows of trees. Their diet is quite unusual for a mammal because it consists almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves, which are tough to digest and not very nutritious. The greater glider has a specialized stomach to ferment these leaves, extracting the maximum amount of energy possible.

An interesting aspect of their behavior is their territorial nature; they are quite solitary and maintain large territories that they defend from others of their species. During the breeding season, the females have a single offspring each year, which clings to her belly until it’s old enough to ride on her back.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

50,000-500,000

Official estimate

VU

2014