Petauridae - gliders, striped possums, trioks

There are 11 species of small marsupials in this family. They are found in the forests of Australia and New Guinea. They have long, furry prehensile tails. Some species in this family have a thin membrane of skin that runs from their front feet to their rear feet that helps them glide from tree to tree.

They eat insects and the sap and gum from eucalypts and acacias. Species in this family include: the striped possum, the northern glider, the sugar glider, the great-tailed triok, the long-fingered triok, the yellow-bellied glider, and the squirrel glider.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds N.H. Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Antarctica Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH
Long-fingered Triok - Dactylonax palpator Great-tailed Triok - Dactylopsila megalura Tate's Triok - Dactylopsila tatei Striped Possum - Dactylopsila trivirgata Leadbeater's Possum - Gymnobelideus leadbeateri Northern Glider - Petaurus abidi		Yellow-bellied Glider - Petaurus australis Biak Glider - Petaurus biacensis Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps Mahogany Glider - Petaurus gracilis Squirrel Glider - Petaurus norfolcensis

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Leadbeater's Possum - Gymnobelideus leadbeateri
Leadbeater's possum is found in Victoria, Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Leadbeater's Possum - Gymnobelideus leadbeateri
Leadbeater's possum is gray-brown with a dark stripe running down its back. Unlike some of the other species in this family, it does not have a gliding membrane.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Leadbeater's Possum - Gymnobelideus leadbeateri
Leadbeater's possum was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1961.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Mahogany Glider - Petaurus gracilis
The mahogany glider is found in Queensland, Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Mahogany Glider - Petaurus gracilis
The mahogany glider is a solitary species.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Mahogany Glider - Petaurus gracilis
The mahogany glider is reddish-brown and has a dark brown stripe on its head.
Source: Queensland Government Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Mahogany Glider - Petaurus gracilis
The mahogany glider has a deep 'Nwarr' call.
Source: Wildlife Queensland Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Squirrel Glider - Petaurus norfolcensis
The squirrel glider is found in eastern Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Squirrel Glider - Petaurus norfolcensis
Squirrel gliders live in family groups made up of one adult male and one or more adult females as well as the young squirrel gliders from the breeding season.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Squirrel Glider - Petaurus norfolcensis
Squirrel gliders have long, thick, bushy tails.
Source: Wildlife Queensland Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Striped Possum - Dactylopsila trivirgata
The striped possum is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps
The sugar glider is found in Australia, Indonesia; and Papua New Guinea.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps
Sugar gliders can hibernate if it gets too cold or if food supplies are low.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps
Sugar gliders have a sharp "yip-yip" call.
Source: Wildlife Queensland Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Tate's Triok - Dactylopsila tatei
Tate's triok is found in Papua New Guinea.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Yellow-bellied Glider - Petaurus australis
The yellow-bellied glider is found in eastern Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Yellow-bellied Glider - Petaurus australis
The yellow-bellied glider can glide distances of as much as 370 feet.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Yellow-bellied Glider - Petaurus australis
The yellow-bellied glider is also known as the fluffy glider.
Source: Wildlife Queensland Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No