This species' home range extends from Bordertown near the South Australian/Victorian Border through south-eastern Australia to northern Queensland. This species was thought to be extinct in South Australia since 1939 until a genetic test confirmed their inhabitance in this area.[4]
The squirrel glider lives in south-eastern Australia in the dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands. In Queensland, however, they occupy a wetter eucalypt forest.[4]
The glider will make a den in the hollow tree and line it with leaves. Here it will sleep and usually lives in groups of one male, 2 females, and offspring.[5]
Appearance
Like most of the wrist-winged gliders, the squirrel glider is endemic to Australia. It is about twice the size of the related sugar glider (P. breviceps). Its body is 18–23 cm long and its tail measures at 22–33 cm long.[4] It weighs about 230g or 0.5 lbs.[5] They have blue-grey or brown-grey fur on their back and a white belly. The end of their tail is black and they have a black stripe from their eyes to the mid-back.[4] They have a flying membrane that extends from their 5th front toe to the back of their foot on both sides. When they glide their prehensile tail can act as a rudder, allowing them to steer which direction they want to go.[6] They can glide up to 50m from tree to tree.[5] They tend not to glide in captivity.
Reproduction
The breeding season is between June and January. The gestation/pregnancy of a female is 18 days.[6] The litter sizes are usually one to two offspring a year.[5] The offspring will immediately crawl to the mother's marsupium and anchor itself to a teat where it will stay for about 3 months.[6][7] The mother will wean off her offspring around 4 months while they stay in the den. The offspring become independent at 10 months and go off on their own. The life expectancy is 4–6 years.[5]
The squirrel glider eats mostly fruit and insects.[8][9] It also feeds on tree sap, mainly eucalyptus or red bloodwood trees. In order to get the sap the squirrel glider will pierce the trunk of the tree causing sap to flow out of it. It also eats pollen, nectar, leaves, and bark.[5][10]
Threats
Natural predators of the squirrel glider include owls and introduced predators include dogs, cats and foxes. Habitat fragmentation and destruction by human agency is also impacting individual populations. However, due to large population sizes and occurrence in several protected areas, the species is currently classified as Least Concern (i.e. not yet threatened) by the IUCN.[1]
Phylogeny
The squirrel glider's closest relatives come from the same genus, Petaurus, and they include the sugar glider (P. breviceps), mahogany glider (P. gracilis), northern glider (P. abidi), Biak glider (P. biacensis) and yellow-bellied glider (P. australis). It is not yet known which species the gliders diverged from. The squirrel glider most likely evolved from a marsupial like a possum that had membranes for gliding. Other animals that have this same ancestor include Striped possum and Leadbeaters possum.
Analogous structures
Squirrel gliders are often mistaken for flying squirrels of North America. These two species are not related at all. The flying squirrel is a placental mammal and the squirrel glider is a marsupial like koalas and kangaroos. Both have an adaptation for tree living – Patagia. This is the skin that extends from their front to hind legs allowing them to glide between the trees avoiding predators they might come into contact with on the ground. Because these animals are distantly related we call these characteristics analogous.
Homologous structures
Squirrel gliders are able to curl their tails around branches to hold on. This feature is homologous to the ring tail possum (order of Diprodontia) which use their tail as an extra limb to grab hold of trees. It is longer but the squirrel gliders tail is bushier.
References
^ abWinter, J.; Lunney, D.; Denny, M.; Burnett, S.; Menkhorst, P. (2016). "Petaurus norfolcensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T16728A21959402. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16728A21959402.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^Gliding Possums — Environment, New South Wales Government
^Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 55. ISBN0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
^ abcd(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2009-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ abcdef"The Squirrel Glider - a gliding flyer - pictures and facts". thewebsiteofeverything.com.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-12-31. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
^Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press (pp. 94-95). ISBN0-19-550870-X
^Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland (First printed in 2000). Queensland Museum Publication (p. 337). ISBN0-7242-9349-3
^(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-07-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Bibliography
Cronin, Leonard — "Key Guide to Australian Mammals", published by Reed Books Pty. Ltd., Sydney, 1991 ISBN0 7301 03552
van der Beld, John — "Nature of Australia — A portrait of the island continent", co-published by William Collins Pty. Ltd. and ABC Enterprises for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sydney, 1988 (revised edition 1992), ISBN0 7333 0241 6
Russell, Rupert — "Spotlight on Possums", published by University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, Queensland, 1980, ISBN0 7022 14787
Troughton, Ellis — "Furred Animals of Australia", published by Angus and Robertson (Publishers) Pty. Ltd., Sydney, in 1941 (revised edition 1973), ISBN0 207 12256 3
Morcombe, Michael & Irene — "Mammals of Australia", published by Australian Universities Press Pty. Ltd., Sydney, 1974, ISBN0 7249 00179
Ride, W. D. L. — "A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia", published by Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1970, ISBN0 19 550252 3
Serventy, Vincent — "Wildlife of Australia", published by Thomas Nelson (Australia) Ltd., Melbourne, 1968 (revised edition 1977), ISBN0 17 005168 4
Serventy, Vincent (editor) — "Australia's Wildlife Heritage", published by Paul Hamlyn Pty. Ltd., Sydney, 1975 of the marsupialfamilyPetauridae.
squirrel, glider, confused, with, flying, squirrel, squirrel, glider, petaurus, norfolcensis, nocturnal, gliding, possum, squirrel, glider, wrist, winged, gliders, genus, petaurus, conservation, statusleast, concern, iucn, scientific, classificationkingdom, an. Not to be confused with Flying squirrel The squirrel glider Petaurus norfolcensis is a nocturnal gliding possum 2 The squirrel glider is one of the wrist winged gliders of the genus Petaurus 3 Squirrel gliderConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaInfraclass MarsupialiaOrder DiprotodontiaFamily PetauridaeGenus PetaurusSpecies P norfolcensisBinomial namePetaurus norfolcensis Kerr 1792 distribution Contents 1 Habitat 2 Appearance 3 Reproduction 4 Diet 5 Threats 6 Phylogeny 7 Analogous structures 8 Homologous structures 9 References 10 Bibliography 11 External linksHabitat EditThis species home range extends from Bordertown near the South Australian Victorian Border through south eastern Australia to northern Queensland This species was thought to be extinct in South Australia since 1939 until a genetic test confirmed their inhabitance in this area 4 The squirrel glider lives in south eastern Australia in the dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands In Queensland however they occupy a wetter eucalypt forest 4 The glider will make a den in the hollow tree and line it with leaves Here it will sleep and usually lives in groups of one male 2 females and offspring 5 Appearance EditLike most of the wrist winged gliders the squirrel glider is endemic to Australia It is about twice the size of the related sugar glider P breviceps Its body is 18 23 cm long and its tail measures at 22 33 cm long 4 It weighs about 230g or 0 5 lbs 5 They have blue grey or brown grey fur on their back and a white belly The end of their tail is black and they have a black stripe from their eyes to the mid back 4 They have a flying membrane that extends from their 5th front toe to the back of their foot on both sides When they glide their prehensile tail can act as a rudder allowing them to steer which direction they want to go 6 They can glide up to 50m from tree to tree 5 They tend not to glide in captivity Reproduction EditThe breeding season is between June and January The gestation pregnancy of a female is 18 days 6 The litter sizes are usually one to two offspring a year 5 The offspring will immediately crawl to the mother s marsupium and anchor itself to a teat where it will stay for about 3 months 6 7 The mother will wean off her offspring around 4 months while they stay in the den The offspring become independent at 10 months and go off on their own The life expectancy is 4 6 years 5 Diet Edit Squirrel glider at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary The squirrel glider eats mostly fruit and insects 8 9 It also feeds on tree sap mainly eucalyptus or red bloodwood trees In order to get the sap the squirrel glider will pierce the trunk of the tree causing sap to flow out of it It also eats pollen nectar leaves and bark 5 10 Threats EditNatural predators of the squirrel glider include owls and introduced predators include dogs cats and foxes Habitat fragmentation and destruction by human agency is also impacting individual populations However due to large population sizes and occurrence in several protected areas the species is currently classified as Least Concern i e not yet threatened by the IUCN 1 Phylogeny EditThe squirrel glider s closest relatives come from the same genus Petaurus and they include the sugar glider P breviceps mahogany glider P gracilis northern glider P abidi Biak glider P biacensis and yellow bellied glider P australis It is not yet known which species the gliders diverged from The squirrel glider most likely evolved from a marsupial like a possum that had membranes for gliding Other animals that have this same ancestor include Striped possum and Leadbeaters possum Analogous structures EditSquirrel gliders are often mistaken for flying squirrels of North America These two species are not related at all The flying squirrel is a placental mammal and the squirrel glider is a marsupial like koalas and kangaroos Both have an adaptation for tree living Patagia This is the skin that extends from their front to hind legs allowing them to glide between the trees avoiding predators they might come into contact with on the ground Because these animals are distantly related we call these characteristics analogous Homologous structures EditSquirrel gliders are able to curl their tails around branches to hold on This feature is homologous to the ring tail possum order of Diprodontia which use their tail as an extra limb to grab hold of trees It is longer but the squirrel gliders tail is bushier References Edit a b Winter J Lunney D Denny M Burnett S Menkhorst P 2016 Petaurus norfolcensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T16728A21959402 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T16728A21959402 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 Gliding Possums Environment New South Wales Government Groves C P 2005 Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press p 55 ISBN 0 801 88221 4 OCLC 62265494 a b c d Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2009 10 25 Retrieved 2009 10 25 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link a b c d e f The Squirrel Glider a gliding flyer pictures and facts thewebsiteofeverything com a b c Barbara Lundrigan ADW Petaurus norfolcensis INFORMATION Animal Diversity Web Squirrel Glider Gosford City Council Archived from the original on 2009 12 31 Retrieved 2009 12 31 Menkhorst P and Knight F 2001 A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia Oxford University Press pp 94 95 ISBN 0 19 550870 X Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland First printed in 2000 Queensland Museum Publication p 337 ISBN 0 7242 9349 3 Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 06 Retrieved 2011 07 06 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Bibliography EditCronin Leonard Key Guide to Australian Mammals published by Reed Books Pty Ltd Sydney 1991 ISBN 0 7301 03552 van der Beld John Nature of Australia A portrait of the island continent co published by William Collins Pty Ltd and ABC Enterprises for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sydney 1988 revised edition 1992 ISBN 0 7333 0241 6 Russell Rupert Spotlight on Possums published by University of Queensland Press St Lucia Queensland 1980 ISBN 0 7022 14787 Troughton Ellis Furred Animals of Australia published by Angus and Robertson Publishers Pty Ltd Sydney in 1941 revised edition 1973 ISBN 0 207 12256 3 Morcombe Michael amp Irene Mammals of Australia published by Australian Universities Press Pty Ltd Sydney 1974 ISBN 0 7249 00179 Ride W D L A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia published by Oxford University Press Melbourne 1970 ISBN 0 19 550252 3 Serventy Vincent Wildlife of Australia published by Thomas Nelson Australia Ltd Melbourne 1968 revised edition 1977 ISBN 0 17 005168 4 Serventy Vincent editor Australia s Wildlife Heritage published by Paul Hamlyn Pty Ltd Sydney 1975 of the marsupial family Petauridae External links EditGliders in the Spotlight Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Keeping squirrel gliders in captivity Marsupial Society Elizabeth Ann Flaherty Locomotor performance and cost of transport in the squirrel glider Petaurus Norfolcensis Petauridae pdf Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Squirrel glider amp oldid 1153533459, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
