• 1300 094 737
  • info@wires.org.au

For emergency rescue support 24/7 please call 1300 094 737

logo-1
  • Support Us

      Donate

      • Donate to WIRES
      • Fundraise for Wildlife
      • Support WIRES branches
      • Shop for Wildlife

      Partner with us

      • Partner with WIRES
      • Workplace Giving
      • Shop for Wildlife
  • Get Involved

      Support Wildlife

      • Education & Training
      • Get Involved

      National Wildlife Network

      • National Training
  • What We Do

      Rescue & Rehabilitation

      • Wildlife Rescue
      • Emergency Response
      • Wildlife Centres

      Work for Wildlife

      • Wildlife Programs
      • Wildlife Advocacy

      Wildlife Education

      • National Wildlife Training
      • Wildlife Training Courses
      • Wildlife Information
  • Who we are

      About WIRES

      • About Us
      • WIRES Impact
      • Work for WIRES
      • Contact Us

      WIRES Updates

      • WIRES News
      • Media Releases
Report a Rescue Donate

 feathertail 
 gliders 

  • Home
  • What We Do
  • Wildlife information
  • Species Information
  • Feathertail Gliders

These gorgeous native animals are named for their remarkable flat tail with stiff fringed hair growing horizontally on either side to the tip. The tail is used to steer and brake as they glide through the trees.

They are the only known mammal to have a feather-like tail. The tail length is 7-8cm and shaped just like the feather on a bird.

The weight of an adult is 10-15 grams, so this tiny glider is often missed when in trouble or mistaken for a mouse when the cat brings it in, which is usually how WIRES become involved.

They are found throughout eastern Australia, from South Australia to far north Queensland.

 

Appearance

Feathertail gliders are from the Burramyidae family and are related to the Pygmy possum. A fascinating feature of these tiny mammals is that because they are so small, they have trouble staying warm when it is cold or when there is a food shortage; like the Sugar glider, they enter a state known as torpor.

This means that for short periods, their breathing slows down, and the animal becomes unresponsive; the body temperature drops almost to that of its surroundings. This state is not to be mistaken for hibernation, which is for much longer periods and is not known to occur in marsupials.

The fur is grey/brown above with a light cream to white abdomen. Like all gliders, they have a skin fold known as the gliding membrane; in Feathertail gliders, this membrane extends from the elbow to the knee. Fringed with long hair along the edge, the body surface is increased. 

The feet resemble that of a frog except with fur, and the large pads on the toes, which have serrated groves underneath, allow them to climb just about anything. Many sweat glands creating moisture on the foot pads allow this tiny glider the surface tension like mini suction cups to climb even vertical panes of glass.

Both sexes are similar in size and appearance, with the obvious difference being the pouch in the female.

image (6) (1)
Feathertail tail

Taking flight

When stretched out, the glider can float long distances, like a falling leaf. It is at home in the trees, feeding on insects, pollen and nectar. It launches into the air when it needs to get from one tree to the next.

To become airborne, they hurl themselves from the tree with legs outstretched, the flap of skin between front and back feet extending like a parachute. The flattened tail helps this tiny possum to glide, steer, brake and anchor itself on landing.

They often glide for 14 m but have been known to glide up to 28 m. They glide up to five times an hour. Gliding helps the Feathertail glider stay amongst the treetops, where they can avoid larger, ground-dwelling predators.

 

Nesting

These gliders will build their nests in anything from abandoned bird’s nests to banana bags and line the nest with leaves, feathers and shredded bark. The nest is spherical and about 6-8cm diameter. Usual nesting places include palms, stag horn and tree ferns.

They tend to live in communal groups of between 5 to 30 individuals, and the breeding cycle is all year round in the Northern parts and spring, summer to late winter in the South.

They have a life expectancy of 4 years in the wild. 

Report a Rescue

For wildlife rescue assistance you must call 1300 094 737 or fill in the Report a Rescue form. All other forms of contact including Facebook are not monitored for rescues.

Button Text Here
Report a Rescue
  • Contact Us
  • Rescue
  • Resources
  • Manage Donation
  • Members Login

For Australian donors gifts $2 or more are tax deductible! If you're donating from the UK or USA and would like tax-deductibility, please visit our Global Giving page.

WIRES’ acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and recognise their connection to native wildlife. We pay respects to their Elders past and present.

WIRES Head Office: PO Box 7276 Warringah Mall NSW 2100
Phone number: 1300 094 737 | Email: info@wires.org.au
Registered Charity Number: ACN 679 740 142 | ABN 30 768 872 928 | NSW License Number: CFN 10170

  • fb-icon
  • youtube-icon
  • instagram-icon
  • linkdin
  • tiktok-icon

Need Help?

1300 094 737

WIRES operate a dedicated Wildlife Rescue Office assisting wildlife and the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Copyright © WIRES 2025 Privacy Policy