The Squirrel Glider

The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a mid-sized gliding possum. It has a greyish upper body and a white-cream belly with a dark stripe running down its back, and a bushy tail. Squirrel Gliders can be mistaken for Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) which occur in similar areas.

However, Sugar Gliders are smaller, with a less bushy tail and have greyish, rather than white-cream belly fur. Squirrel Gliders have a seasonally varied diet of plants and invertebrates. They rely on hollow-bearing trees for shelter and nesting.

Squirrel gliders are threatened due to: 

• Loss and fragmentation of habitat including flowering understorey food resources.
• Changes in habitat due to climate change – fire, drought.
• Loss of hollow bearing trees.
• Predation by cats and foxes.

· Barbed wire can entangle gliders & damage their gliding membranes

What can I do?

• Retain existing vegetation, especially hollow bearing trees.
• Revegetate and enhance connections with remnant vegetation.
• Leave native regeneration and enhance sites with flowering understorey.
• Minimise barb wire especially on the top wire of fences adjoining forested areas.
• Install nest boxes in areas where hollow bearing trees are declining.
• Let us know of any sightings.

For more information, contact Allie Maffei Senior Land Services Officer on 0427 662 811 or allie.hendy@lls.nsw.gov.au