| Yellow-bellied glider[1] | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Petauridae |
| Genus: | Petaurus |
| Species: | P. australis |
| Binomial name | |
| Petaurus australis Shaw, 1791 | |
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| Distribution, within Australia | |
Theyellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis), also known as thefluffy glider, is anarboreal and nocturnalgliding possum that lives in native eucalypt forests in eastern Australia, from northernQueensland south toVictoria.[3][4][5][6]
The yellow-bellied glider inhabits forests and woodlands in eastern Australia and is found at a range of altitudes from sea level to 1400 metres.[7][8]
In North Queensland, the sub-species occurs at altitudes over 700 m above sea level.[9] With natural discontinuities and habitat clearings, there are 13 different populations in three distinct places to find this glider in North Queensland. One population resides on Mount Windsor Tableland, another on Mount Carbine Tableland, and the third lives in a linear habitat going from Atherton to Kirrama on the Atherton Tableland. These three populations together are estimated to contain around 6000 individual gliders.[9] With their habitat in danger, the yellow-bellied glider is classified as uncommon to rare and is named vulnerable to the tropics. This species is more widespread in southern Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
The yellow-bellied glider is amarsupial about the size of arabbit. It typically has grey-brown fur on its back and has an off-white toorange or yellow belly. It has large pointed ears and a long tail that can grow to reach 48 cm in length.[9][10] Its body length is smaller reaching to about 30 cm long and the marsupial weighs a total of 700 g.[9] The males are usually bigger than the females.[6]
There are two subspecies:
The yellow-bellied glider is the largest species ofPetaurus, the wrist-winged gliders, a group ofarboreal marsupials, and can glide up to 150 m.[11] The yellow-bellied glider has been observed to jump up to 100 m[12] or 114 m.[6]
It is similar in appearance to themahogany glider, although slightly larger in size. It is also similar in appearance to thegreater glider, a species that is more closely related to thelemur-like ringtail possum than to the other members of the genusPetaurus.[13]
The yellow-bellied glider isgregarious and spends the day in a leaf-lined tree hole, which is usually shared with other members of the same family. It is also one of the most vocal possum gliders. It has a distinctive growling call that it uses as means of communication.[14] It has been recorded to have been heard up to 500m away.[12]
A recording of the distinctive call can be heard online.[15]
Breeding occurs in spring in the south, but throughout the year in Queensland in the north. Sexual maturity for the glider is around two years of age when the glider will then[6] pair up with another glider, usually in a monogamous relationship and mate August to December.[6] The offspring are normally born between May and September. They then stay in themarsupium for about 100 days. The young are then left in the den for 2–3 months before they are weaned from the mother and go off on their own.[6][12] While in the dens both parents will care for the offspring.[6]
In North Queensland the dens are made inEucalyptus grandis trees[12] and are lined with leaves. Their total life expectancy is about six years.[12]
The yellow-bellied glider's diet consists ofnectar, honeydew,insects,pollen and a wide spread of tree sap including differentEucalyptus sap,Corymbia sap, someAngophora sap, andLophostemon sap.[3] It shows a strong preference for trees with a smooth bark, possibly relating to the volume of sap flow.[16] It obtains the tree sap by biting a 'V' shape wedge/notch into the bark to promote the flow of gum and sap.[14][17] It usually incises the bark on the trunks or upper branches of the trees.[6]
Habitat loss and fragmentation due to timber-harvesting and agriculture are the main threats to this species. The previousfelling of old nest trees together with regular proscribed fire regimes and general timber removal have led to a degradation of the remaining habitats.[18][19] Previously it had been listed as a species of "Least Concern" because of a wide distribution, including several protected areas. This listing was changed to "Near Threatened" in the 2016 IUCN Red List publication because of a population decrease of 30% over three generations.[18] The listing was then changed to "Vulnerable" in the 2025 IUCN Red List publication because ongoing monitoring programs demonstrated a population decrease of over 30% over three generations.[2]
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