Abstract Mammalogy

The squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a small (190-300g), arboreal and nocturnal marsupial. It is very similar in appearance to its more common relative, the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps). However it has a longer, more pointed face; longer and narrower ears; a bushier, more softly furred tail and is almost double the weight (Menkhorst 1995, Suckling 2002).P. norfolcensis inhabits dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands and is absent from rainforests and closed forests (Menkhorst et al. 1988). Compared to P. breviceps, P. norfolcensis is rare, more restricted in distribution and less studied. It is sparsely distributed along the east coast of Australia, from Victoria to north Queensland (Fig1). This hollow dependent species is listed as threatened in New South Wales (NSW) and victoria but considered Endangered (presumed extinc) under schedule 7 of the South Australian National parks and Wildlife Act (1972).