Greater Glider
Conservation Status: Endangered
Meet the Greater Glider
The Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) is Australia’s largest gliding marsupial, spanning up to a metre from nose to tail when fully stretched. With its long, fluffy tail, large round eyes, and thick silvery-grey, white, or dark brown fur, it is both striking and highly adapted to its forest home.
As a nocturnal, tree-dwelling species, the Greater Glider uses membranes between its limbs to glide silently between the treetops, covering distances of up to 100 metres in a single glide. This ability allows it to move efficiently between feeding and nesting sites without descending to the ground, reducing its exposure to predators.
Greater Gliders are specialist eucalyptus feeders, consuming only the leaves and buds of certain gum tree species. This strict diet means they depend on large tracts of mature forest where their preferred trees grow. They play an important ecological role by influencing the growth and regeneration of these forests, and their presence is a strong indicator of ecosystem health.
Once widespread along the eastern forests of Australia from northern Queensland to Victoria, their numbers have declined sharply in recent decades due to habitat loss, bushfires, and climate change.
Did you know?
- Greater Gliders are solitary and highly territorial, with each individual occupying and defending a home range of several hectares.
- Despite their large size, they are almost completely silent in the wild.
- They can rotate their heads more than 180 degrees to keep watch while foraging.
Why They’re at Risk
- Habitat Loss & Fragmentation: Clearing for logging, agriculture, and urban development has removed vast areas of the mature eucalyptus forests Greater Gliders rely on. Fragmented habitats leave populations isolated, increasing the risk of inbreeding and reducing food availability.
- Bushfires: Intense bushfires destroy critical habitat, including the tree hollows needed for shelter. Greater Gliders are slow-moving and rarely flee long distances, making them particularly vulnerable to being caught in fires.
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting rainfall patterns reduce the quality and availability of eucalyptus leaves. Extended heatwaves can also cause direct mortality in Greater Gliders.
- Introduced Predators: Feral cats and foxes prey on gliders, especially juveniles. Habitat loss often forces gliders to cross open ground, increasing their exposure to predators.
Aussie Ark’s Conservation Work
Aussie Ark is working to turn the tide for the endangered Greater Glider, ensuring this unique marsupial has a safe and thriving future.
- Safe Haven Nest Boxes: With natural hollows taking over 100 years to form, nest boxes are critical for Greater Glider survival. Aussie Ark constructs and installs specially designed boxes within our sanctuaries, providing safe shelter and breeding spaces for gliders and other hollow-dependent wildlife.
- Sanctuary Protection: Predator-proof sanctuaries provide a secure environment where Greater Gliders can live and breed without the constant threat of cats and foxes.
- Monitoring & Research: We conduct regular night surveys and habitat assessments to monitor population health and track changes in forest conditions. This information guides adaptive management and ensures our sanctuaries provide the best possible habitat.
- Habitat Restoration: We plant and protect key eucalyptus species to ensure long-term food sources and future nesting sites for Greater Gliders.
Through these combined efforts, Aussie Ark is creating a lasting refuge for the Greater Glider, protecting one of Australia’s most iconic forest dwellers for generations to come.
How You Can Help
You can make a real difference! At Aussie Ark, we’re working tirelessly to protect Australia’s unique wildlife and restore their habitats. From Tasmanian Devils to Eastern Quolls, your support helps us care for endangered animals and preserve the beauty of our native bushland.
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Every dollar you give goes directly toward creating safe havens, providing medical care, and ensuring these amazing creatures have a future.
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Adopt
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Find out more about how we’re helping Greater Gliders
Aussie Ark is stepping up to protect Australia’s wildlife at a time when it has never been more urgent. From building predator-proof sanctuaries and restoring vital habitats, to running world-leading breeding programs and reintroducing animals back into the wild, we are giving threatened species a fighting chance. Every action we take is about safeguarding the future of these animals and ensuring Australia’s unique wildlife can thrive for generations to come.
Get involved and support our mission
Shop, adopt, or experience the Sanctuary for yourself through one of our educational tour experiences. Get involved today, and help us work towards a better tomorrow.
