Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Petaurus australis - endangered population
Gazetted date:
28 Nov 2014
Profile last updated:
14 Apr 2022
Description
The Yellow-bellied Glider is a large, active, sociable and vocal glider. Adults weigh 450 - 700 grams, have a head and body length of about 30 cm and a large bushy tail that is about 45 cm long. Yellow-bellied Glider’s have grey to brown fur above with a cream to yellow belly, which is paler in young animals. The dark stripe down the back is characteristic of the group. It has a large gliding membrane that extends from the wrist to the ankle. It has a loud, distinctive call, beginning with a high-pitched shriek and subsiding into a throaty rattle.
Distribution
The endangered population of the Yellow-bellied Glider occurs on the Bago Plateau; a westward extension of the Kosciuszko highlands in southern New South Wales. The population is disjunct owing to the steep valleys and unsuitable habitat surrounding the Bago Plateau which includes cleared agricultural land to the west and the Tumut River and Talbingo Reservoir to the east. The area of the population includes a large portion of Bago and Maragle State Forests, a small area of Kosciuszko National Park and some freehold land.
Habitat and ecology
- Den, often in family groups, in hollows of large trees.
- The habitat on the Bago Plateau consists of tall wet sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus delegatensis (Alpine Ash), E. dalrympleana (Mountain Gum), E. radiata (Narrow-leaved Peppermint) and E. rubida (Candlebark).
- Feed primarily on plant and insect exudates, including nectar, sap, honeydew and manna with pollen and insects providing protein.
- Extract sap by incising (or biting into) the trunks and branches of favoured food trees, often leaving a distinctive ‘V’-shaped scar.
- Live in small family groups of two - six individuals and are nocturnal.
- Very mobile and occupy large home ranges between 20 to 85 ha to encompass dispersed and seasonally variable food resources.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Reduced population viability due to the partial fragmentation of the Bago Plateau and the populations highly restricted geographic distribution.
- Continual decline in habitat quality caused by timber harvesting operations.
- Loss of hollow-bearing trees.
- Loss of feed trees.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Retain den trees and recruitment trees (future hollow-bearing trees).
- Retain food resources, particularly sap-feeding trees.
- Retain and protect areas of habitat, particularly mature or oldgrowth forest containing hollow-bearing trees and sap-feeding trees.
- Maintain connectivity between habitat patches.
- In urban and rural areas retain and rehabilitate habitat to maintain or increase the total area of habitat available, reduce edge effects, minimise foraging distances and increase the types of resources available.
Information sources
- Goldingay, R.L. and Kavanagh ,R.P. (1991) The Yellow-bellied Glider: a review of its ecology and management considerations. Conservation of Australia's Forest Fauna (ed. D. Lunney): 365-75. Royal Zoological Society of NSW.
- Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Recovery Plan for Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis). NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
- Russell, R. (1995) Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis. Pp. 226-8 in Strahan, R.(ed.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.
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