Overview

"Flying possum" is an informal name for a group of marsupials commonly called gliders. These animals do not truly fly like bats or birds but glide using a skin membrane stretched between their limbs. Gliders are native mainly to Australia and New Guinea and include a range of sizes and lifestyles, from tiny, leaf-weighted species to relatively large arboreal mammals. They are marsupials, so females typically rear young in a pouch.

Anatomy and locomotion

Gliders are characterized by a patagium, the stretched skin that forms a wing-like surface between fore and hind limbs. Additional adaptations often include long tails for stability and ruddering, grasping feet for clinging to bark, and flattened skulls to fit into tree hollows. Gliding starts with a launch from a high point, followed by controlled aerial posture and a landing that absorbs impact. Diets vary by species and can include sap, nectar, fruit, insects and small vertebrates.

Species and diversity

Several distinct groups are known as gliders. They include very small taxa such as the Feathertail glider, mid-sized wrist-winged gliders in the genus Petaurus (often called flying phalangers), and larger animals like the greater glider. Representative common names include:

Ecology and role

Gliders are largely arboreal and are important components of forest ecosystems. Many feed on tree sap, nectar and pollen and can act as pollinators or seed dispersers. Others help control insect populations. Their reliance on tree hollows and continuous canopy links makes them sensitive to habitat fragmentation and logging. Because they move efficiently between trees by gliding, they can use patchy habitats more effectively than strictly climbing species—but only if suitable trees remain.

Evolution and notable distinctions

Gliding has evolved more than once among mammals; the marsupial gliders are an example of convergent evolution with placental flying squirrels. Within marsupials, the different gliding groups show variation in size, tail shape and feeding habits: the feathertail glider is among the smallest and has a distinctive fringed tail, whereas the greater glider is larger and uses a broader patagium for slower, longer glides. Genus-level differences reflect habitat preferences and diets.

Human interactions and conservation

Some glider species, such as the sugar glider, have become familiar to people and appear in the pet trade in some regions; regulations vary by jurisdiction and potential owners should research legal and welfare considerations. Many species face threats from habitat loss, altered fire regimes and fragmentation; a number are subjects of conservation concern. Protecting woodland and forest connectivity, preserving nesting hollows and managing fire regimes are key measures that support glider populations.

For further background and species-specific information consult specialist resources and regional conservation agencies: Feathertail glider information, sugar glider resources, and yellow-bellied glider notes.