Zoology - Petauridae (gliders, striped possums)

Petauridae
There are 10 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.

Key: Article Photos Video Audio
Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct Status taken from ICUN Redlist

Petauridae Genus
Dactylopsila (striped possums and trioks) Gymnobelideus (Leadbeater's possum)	Petaurus (squirrel gliders, sugar gliders, and yellow bellied gliders)
Petauridae Resources
Lesson Plans Games/Interactives Video

Websites

Family Petauridae
There are 10 species in this family of marsupials found in forested areas of Australia and New Guinea.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Petauridae
The species in this family 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.
Source: NHPTV Wildlife Journal Junior Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Dactylopsila (striped possums and trioks)

Striped Possum

The striped possum taps on tree branches with its long middle finger to disturb grubs! Once the grubs start moving around, the striped possum hears them and can gourge in the wood for a tasty treat.
Source: Philadelphia Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Possum
The striped possum is found in Australia and New Guinea. It spends most of its time in trees.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Striped Possum
The body of the striped possum is only around 9 inches long, but its tail can be as much as a foot long.
Source: Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Tate's Triok
Tate's triok has a black mask, a long tail, and long, claws that help it climb in trees.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Gymnobelideus (Leadbeater's possum)

Leadbeater's Possum

Leadbeater's possum was once thought to be extinct.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Leadbeater's Possum
Currently there about 3,000 Leadbeater's possums in the wild.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Leadbeater's Possum
Leadbeater's possum is only found in a small, remote areas in Victoria, Australia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Leadbeater's Possum Recovery Plan
Learn more about Leadbeater's possum and see what's being done to save it.
Source: Australian Government Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Petaurus (squirrel gliders, sugar gliders, and yellow bellied gliders)

Mahogany Glider

The mahogany glider was once thought to be a subspecies of the squirrel glider.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Sugar Glider
The sugar glider has a thin membrane that stretches from its wrists to its ankles that lets it glide from tree to tree.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Sugar Glider
The sugar glider lives in eucalyptus forests and nests in branches and tree hollows.
Source: St. Louis Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Sugar Glider
The sugar glider is found in Australia and New Guinea. It can glide up to 140 feet!
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Squirrel Glider
The squirrel glider has soft gray fur, a black stripe on its hear, big, round eyes, and a long tail. Learn more and print out a fact sheet.
Source: Perth Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Squirrel Glider
The squirrel glider is similar to the sugar glider, but it is twice as large.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Yellow-bellied Glider
The yellow-bellied glider lives in eucalyptus forests along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Australia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Online Video

Arkive Video and Images
Tate's Triok
Leadbeater's Possum
Mahogany Glider
Sugar Glider