Greater gliders not as great at gliding as thought – but still look like magic carpets, experts say
Summary
Australian researchers studied the flying ability of the greater glider, the largest gliding marsupial in Australia, and found it glides about 19 metres on average—much less than the 100 metres reported in an old study. The research shows that the animals rely on close tree cover to move, which is important for their conservation since they are endangered.Key Facts
- The greater glider is Australia’s largest gliding marsupial.
- Researchers measured 41 glides using infrared binoculars, lasers, and tape measures in New South Wales forests.
- The average glide distance is about 19 metres, not 100 metres as suggested by a 1941 study.
- The longest recorded glide in this study was just under 50 metres.
- Greater gliders launch from around 22 metres high and land about 5 metres above ground.
- They use a membrane stretched from elbows to ankles to glide between trees.
- The 1941 report may have confused greater gliders with yellow-bellied gliders, which can glide up to 145 metres.
- Since greater gliders cannot glide far, habitat destruction like logging could prevent them from moving through forests easily.
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