Mahogany Glider
Photo © WPSQ

(Petaurus gracilis)

The Mahogany glider is named for its rich brown mahogany colour and the importance of the Swamp mahogany tree, Lophostemon suaveolens, in its habitat.

Description

Body length 250mm; tail length mm 350; weight 350g. Similar size body to the squirel glider with which it can be confused, with soft grey fur, black stripe on head and body. Gliding membrane extends from wrist to ankle.

Identification

Droppings 17mm x 5mm, often with gum bands. 'Nwarr' call, similar to Squirrel glider.

Habitat

Low altitude, wet Eucalypt and paperbark forests between Tully and Ingham.

Threats

Barbed-wire fences, clearing and rainforest encroachment into the very limited existing habitat and cats.

Status

Endangered

Food

Wattle, Albizia, grasstree, and bloodwood sap; insects; nectar and pollen; arils (the protein-rich stringy structures by which seeds hang in the pod), from Acacia seeds.

Distribution

See map