Feathertail glider
Feathertail glider[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
Order: | Diprotodontia |
Family: | Acrobatidae |
Genus: | Acrobates Desmarest, 1818 |
Species: | A. pygmaeus
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Binomial name | |
Acrobates pygmaeus (Shaw, 1793)
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Distribution of the feathertail glider |
The feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), also known as the pygmy gliding possum, pygmy glider, pygmy phalanger, flying phalanger and flying mouse,[3] is a species of marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is the world's smallest gliding mammal and is named for its long feather-shaped tail.
A second species, the broad-toed feathertail glider (Acrobates (Dromicia) frontalis, De Vis 1887) is recognised by some authors[4] based on unpublished genetic studies and cryptic morphological differences in toe and tail characteristics. With this recognition, it is suggested that Acrobates pygmaeus takes the common name narrow-toed feathertail glider.
Description
At just 6.5–8 cm (2.6–3.1 in) in head-and-body length[5] and weighing about 12 g (3⁄8 oz), the feathertail glider is only around the size of a small mouse, and is the world's smallest gliding mammal.[4] The fur is soft and silky, and is a uniform greyish brown on the upper body, and white on the underside. There are rings of dark fur around the eyes, the rhinarium is hairless and deeply cleft, and the ears are moderately large and rounded. The glider also has an unusually large number of whiskers, sprouting from the snout and cheeks, and from the base of each ear.[4]
Like other gliding mammals, the feathertail glider has a
The tongue is long and thin, reaching as much as 11 mm (0.43 in), and has numerous long
The female has two
Distribution and habitat
Feathertail gliders are found across the eastern seaboard of continental Australia, from northern
Behaviour and biology
Feathertail gliders are omnivorous, feeding on
They are highly adept climbers, able to cling to the smooth trunks of eucalyptus trees. In experiments, they have even proved able to climb vertical panes of glass, a feat that is due to a combination of fine skin ridges and sweat that allow their feet to function as suction cups.[11] Movement through the trees is aided by their gliding ability; they are able to glide as far as 28 m (92 ft), and typically do so three to five times every hour through the night.
Feathertail gliders do not hibernate as such, but are capable of entering torpor during cold weather at any time of the year. Torpor can last for several days, during which time the animal's body temperature can drop to as low as 2 °C (36 °F) and oxygen consumption to just 1% of normal.[4] Torpid gliders curl into a ball, wrapping their tail around themselves and folding their ears flat, and often huddling together with up to four other individuals to reduce heat loss[12] and conserve energy.[13]
The breeding season lasts from July to January in Victoria, and may be longer further to the north.[4] Females typically give birth to two litters of up to four young in a season, and are able to mate again shortly after the first litter is born. The second litter then enters embryonic diapause, and is not born until the first litter has finished weaning at about 105 days.[14] Multiple paternity is common, even within litters, as the females are sexually promiscuous.[15] The young remain in the pouch for the first 65 days of life,[10] and the maximum lifespan is about five years.[4]
In captivity
In culture
A feathertail glider was featured on the reverse of the Australian 1-cent coin until 1991 when the 1-cent denomination was discontinued.[17]
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Acrobates pygmaeus (G. Shaw, 1794)". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
- ^ .
- ^ Shiroff, A. (1999). "Acrobates pygmaeus feathertail glider". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- S2CID 20355244.
- PMID 2765851.
- .
- .
- ^ .
- doi:10.1139/z98-212.
- .
- PMID 26685170.
- .
- doi:10.1071/ZO04025.
- ^ Russo, Naomi (29 June 2015). "Successful breeding of the world's smallest gliders". Australian Geographic. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "The Feathertail Glider". Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
External links
- Photos and information about the feathertail glider — Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland
- Information about the feathertail glider — University of Michigan Museum of Zoology