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Feathertail glider

Acrobates pygmaeus

MammalThe IUCN status is Leas…

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammal
Order
Diprotodontia
Family
Acrobatidae
Genus
Acrobates

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits eucalypt forests and woodlands in eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria, preferring areas with dense canopy for gliding. It thrives in both wet and dry sclerophyll forests, often near water sources, and avoids open grasslands.

Diet

Feathertail gliders feed mainly on nectar, pollen from eucalypt flowers, and insects like aphids and beetles, supplemented by sap and fruit. They are nocturnal foragers, using their long tongues to extract nectar and gliding between trees to access food sources.

Behavior

Feathertail gliders are nocturnal and arboreal, using a patagium membrane to glide up to 20 meters between trees. They are generally solitary or form small family groups, nesting in tree hollows or bark crevices during the day, and exhibit territorial behavior by marking areas with scent.

Conservation Status

The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend due to its wide distribution, though it faces threats from habitat loss and predation by introduced species.