About Petaurus norfolcensis (Kerr, 1792)
The squirrel glider, scientific name Petaurus norfolcensis (Kerr, 1792), is a nocturnal gliding possum, and one of the wrist-winged gliders in the genus Petaurus. The home range of this species runs from Bordertown near the border of South Australia and Victoria, through south-eastern Australia all the way to northern Queensland. It was considered extinct in South Australia from 1939 onward, until genetic testing confirmed that the species still inhabits this area. In south-eastern Australia, the squirrel glider lives in dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands, while in Queensland it lives in wetter eucalypt forest. The squirrel glider builds its den inside a tree hollow, lining it with leaves to sleep. It usually lives in social groups consisting of one male, two females, and their offspring. The squirrel glider's breeding season falls between June and January, with a gestation period of 18 days. Females typically produce a litter of one to two offspring per year. Immediately after birth, offspring crawl to their mother's marsupium, anchor themselves to a teat, and remain there for about 3 months. The mother weans her offspring over around 4 months, while the young stay in the den. Offspring become independent at 10 months old and leave the den. The expected lifespan of the squirrel glider is 4 to 6 years.
