Acrobatidae - Feathertail Gliders	Classification  Kingdom: Animalia  Phylum: Chordata  Class: Mammalia  Order: Diprotodontia  Family: Acrobatidae

There are two species of small marsupials in this family, the feathertail glider and the feathertail possum.

The feathertail glider is found in the forests and woodlands of eastern Australia. It is mouse-sized and has a feather-like tail. It is brown or brownish-gray on its uppersides and white on its undersides. It has a thin membrane of skin that runs from its front paws to its back paws that helps it glide from tree to tree. It uses its tail to help it steer. It spends the day sleeping in a hollow in a tree. It uses its long tongue to eat nectar, pollen, and insects.

The feathertail possum is found in New Guinea. It is also mouse-like, but it does not have a thin membrane like the feathertail glider. It does have a feather-like tail and also eats nectar, pollen, and insects. It is gray and has a white face with black stripes running vertically over its eyes.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct Not Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Endangered in US Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH (birds)
Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH

More Info
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Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

New Hampshire Species

None

North/Central American Species

None

Species Around the World

Feathertail Glider - Acrobates pygmaeus
Feather-tailed Possum - Distoechurus pennatus

Additional Information

Feathertail Glider - Acrobates pygmaeus
The feathertail glider is found in eastern Australia.
Source: Perth Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Feathertail Glider - Acrobates pygmaeus
The feathertail glider uses its long, prehensile tail to steer and brake as it glides the trees.
Source: WIRES Northern Rivers Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Feathertail Glider - Acrobates pygmaeus
The feathertail glider is the smallest gliding animal in the world.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Feather-tailed Possum - Distoechurus pennatus
The feather-tailed possum is a very small marsupial found in forested areas of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It has gray fur and a black mask over its eyes and a white stripe on its forehead and cheeks.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School