(Petauroides volans)
The greater glider is the largest of the glider species in Australia. This species is also the most variable in their colouration. The scientific name for the greater glider means flying petaurus-like animal.
Greater Glider
Photo © Steve Parish Publishing
Greater gliders have adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, leading to an enlarged caecum that assists in breaking down the cellulose – much like the koala. Interestingly, despite being proportionally long, the tail is not prehensile.
Greater gliders can glide up to 100 metres and change direction up to 90 degrees as well. They are known to use a large number of hollows within the home range, and they can use between 2-18 different hollows. They do not appear to build a nest as such, however, occasionally there is a lining of leaves.
Update: November 2020
Researchers have recently discovered there are actually three species of greater glider, not one as previously assumed. A study of the genetics of greater gliders, published in Nature’s public access Scientific Reports journal, found distinct species in the southern, central and northern ranges. Species’ names are Petauroides volans and the two new species, Petauroides minor and Petauroides armillatus.
Greater Gliders have highly varied colouration ranging from a light grey almost white colour to a very a dark sooty grey. The northern greater glider is uniform brown above with a pale belly.
These gliders have a very long furry tail, and the most distinctive feature is their large furry ears (teddy-bear ears).
Body measurements:
The gliding membrane stretches from elbow to ankle.
Considered silent and is rarely heard, however, will produce a grunt or hiss when threatened. Large scratches on trees from landing are also a sign to look for. Droppings are about the size and shape of a slightly flatten pea (5-10 mm). Eyes shine in an intense white colour when spotlighted and in some rare populations, the shine is a pale red colour.
Greater Glider Photo © Steve Parish Publishing
Generally, greater gliders are not considered social, however, males and females will share a den at the onset of breeding. Males usually use more den sites then females and the den sites are usually located in the centre of their home range.
Mating occurs between March and June. Births occur between April and June, with only 1 young per litter. Greater gliders only produce 1 litter per year, and they can live up to 15 years.
Young leaves the pouch at 3-4 months. Following this, for the next 3 months, they are either left at the nest or ride on the mother’s back except during glides. Young are independent at 8-10 months.
The Greater Glider feeds mainly on eucalypt leaves.
They are also known to feed on the young cones of the radiata pine tree, phyllodes of acacia plants and even mistletoe.
Generally, the home range for the greater glider is between 0.7-3 hectares and tends to have a population density of 0.01-5 individuals per hectare. The home ranges of females can overlap with males and females however for the males the home ranges never overlap.
Natural predators in their range are large owl species, spotted tail quolls, goannas, and carpet pythons.
The greater glider occurs down the east coast of Australia in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It does not occur in the far north region of Queensland.
WHIPTAIL WALLABY
WATER MOUSE
NORTHERN QUOLL
SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL
SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA
PLATYPUS
NORTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT
KOALA
YELLOW-BELLIED GLIDER
SUGAR GLIDER
SQUIRREL GLIDER
MAHOGANY GLIDER
GREATER GLIDER
FEATHERTAIL GLIDER
GLIDERS
SPECTACLED FLYING FOX
LITTLE RED FLYING FOX
GREY-HEADED FLYING FOX
BLACK FLYING FOX
FLYING FOXES
BRUSH-TAILED ROCK WALLABY
BRIDLED NAILTAIL WALLABY