General Description

Body fur long and shaggy. Fur colour above is quite variable and both sooty brown and pale white colours are common. The fluffy tail is longer than the combined head and body length. The ears are furry. A gliding membrane of skin stretches between the elbow and ankle. Body up to 45 cm, tail up to 60 cm. When spotted with a torch their eyes reflect a very bright white light.

Biology

Greater Gliders are the largest of the gliding marsupials, able to glide more than 100 m. Their tail acts as a rudder, steering the body. They nest in hollow spouts of tall trees, emerging at night to feed on eucalypt leaves and flower buds. The Greater Glider is relatively silent and rarely heard calling.

Distribution

Eastern mainland Australia.

Habitat

Forests and woodlands.

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