Greater glider
This table has 3 columns about scientific name, Queensland conservation status and local species status.
Scientific name |
Petauroides volans |
Queensland conservation status |
Endangered |
Commonwealth conservation status |
Endangered |
Local species status |
Priority species for conservation |
What does it look like?
The greater glider is Australia’s largest gliding species. It has a long, well-furred tail and a gliding membrane from the elbows to the ankles. The greater glider varies in colour from almost white to grey or mottled to chocolate brown. The under body is usually white.
Where does it live?
The greater glider is restricted to eastern Australia, from the Windsor Tableland in north Queensland to central Victoria. On the Gold Coast, this species has been found in Austinville, Clagiraba, Helensvale, Lower Beechmont, Nerang, Parkwood, Wongawallen, Worongary, and Springbrook.
Ecology & habitat
The greater glider is a tree living (arboreal), nocturnal marsupial that inhabits tall eucalypt forests and woodlands. They feed mostly on eucalypt leaves and, like koalas, prefer particular tree species, although little is known about their preferred food trees on the Gold Coast.
Individuals are solitary and use multiple den trees in their home range. By day they sleep in a nest in a tree hollow. A pair will usually share a nest from the onset of mating until young leave the pouch. Breeding is from March to June. The female usually rears one young, which leaves the pouch at 12 to 16 weeks of age. The young is confined to the nest until it can ride on its mother’s back.
How is its survival threatened?
- Clearing of old growth forests
- Loss of large hollows for breeding
- Impacts of climate change, including severe bushfires
- Predation by powerful owls and dogs
- Strongly lit areas which can deter movement and/or dispersal of populations
- Barbed wire entanglement killing or injuring individuals
How can we help?
- Improve understanding of the species’ distribution and habitat areas across the city
- Protect existing populations and remaining habitat from forest clearing, selective removal of large den trees, and other high impact activities
- Restore and/or expand habitat areas for existing populations
- Improve habitat connectivity so existing populations can move safely between habitat areas
Image credit: Josh Bowell