Groups
    Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Myxini – Hagfishes Petromyz' – Lampreys Sharks & rays Animals Holocep' – Chimaeras Ray-finned fishes Dipneusti – Lungfish Gastropoda – Snails & slugs Cephalopoda – Squids & octopuses Arachnida – Spiders & scorpions Coelac' – Coelacanths Insecta – Insects / bugs Diplopoda – Millipedes Bivalvia – Marine molluscs Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs Malacostraca – Malacostracans Chilopoda – Centipedes Pycnogonida – Sea spiders More Classes
    Filters

    Regions

    See AllSelect

    Habitat

    See AllSelect

    Petauroides – Greater glider

    Unlike what its name suggests, it isn't closely related to other gliding possums but is a unique species with its own quirks

    These animals are relatively large for gliders, measuring up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) in body length with a tail almost as long, which helps in steering during their nocturnal glides. Their fur is thick and fluffy, providing excellent insulation against the cool nights. The fur color varies from shades of grey to dark brown, often blending perfectly with the bark of eucalyptus trees, which is crucial for avoiding predators.

    Greater gliders lead a mostly solitary life. They are highly territorial and will defend their home range fiercely, especially during the mating season. They nest in hollows of old trees, which highlights their dependence on mature forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, this also makes them vulnerable to threats like logging and bushfires, which destroy their habitat.

    Their diet is quite specialized, consisting almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves. These leaves are not very nutritious and are hard to digest, but the greater glider has adapted a slow metabolism and a specialized stomach that ferments the leaves, extracting the maximum amount of energy. This diet also means they don’t need to drink often, as they get most of their water from the leaves.

    Despite their bulky appearance and awkward movements on the ground, greater gliders are surprisingly graceful in the air. They can glide up to 100 meters, using the large flaps of skin between their limbs to catch the wind. This ability helps them not only move around in search of food but also escape from predators like owls and goannas.

    Breeding for greater gliders is a slow process; females usually give birth to only one offspring per year. The young glider stays with the mother for several months, clinging to her belly first, then riding on her back until it is old enough to fend for itself.