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Feathertail
Glider
.. Acrobates Pygmaeus "pygmy acrobat" |
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 other names Pygmy Glider or Flying Mouse DESCRIPTION Sexes similar with the female slightly larger. Head and body length 65-80mm. Tail 70-80mm in length. Weight 10 to 14g. Worlds smallest gliding mammal similar in size of a mouse. Conical nose and huge black eyes. Small rounded ears. Brown to brown-grey above and white to cream below. Large, serrated pads on each toe (similar to frogs and geckos) which provide adhesion to smooth surfaces. Gliding membrane between the elbows and knees, slightly thicker than in other gliding marsupials. Distinctive tail that looks like a feather, used for gripping and steering while gliding from branch to branch. This tiny possum gets its name from its feather like tail. The Feathertail Glider is common along the eastern side of Australia, but is not found in Tasmania. It is a communal animal sharing its nest with up to 20 individuals. Its preferred habitat is mature forests and woodlands with tall trees and dense foliage. It feeds on small insects, drinks nectar and laps at the sugary sap from native tree trunks using its brush-tipped tongue. The Feathertail Glider is nocturnal, becoming torpid during the day and in cold weather. It makes a nest in tree hollows and other high sheltered places, made out of gum leaves and other soft material such as feathers. Males appear to become sexually mature in their second year and females can breed in their first year. Breeding occurs throughout most of the year in the northern range, and spring and summer in the southern range, and the female can carry up to 3 joeys in its pouch. Females can become pregnant again immediately after giving birth. Pouch life is for approximately 65 days and the young are weaned at approximately 100 days. Both sexes live about three years in the wild and up to five years in captivity. Due to its size the Feathertail Glider is rarely seen in the wild. |
