Feathertail glider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feathertail glider |
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Phalangerida
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Acrobatidae
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Acrobates
Desmarest, 1818
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| Acrobates pygmaeus Shaw, 1793
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The feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is also known as the pygmy gliding possum or flying mouse. It is the smallest gliding mammal in the world! This tiny animal is named after its long, special tail that looks like a feather.
Even though it's only about the size of a small mouse, the feathertail glider can jump and glide amazing distances. It can travel up to 25 metres (about 82 feet) from tree to tree. Like other animals that glide, it has a special skin flap between its front and back legs. This flap helps it glide through the air.
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What Does a Feathertail Glider Look Like?
The feathertail glider is super small! Its body is only about 6.5 to 8 centimeters (2.5 to 3 inches) long. It weighs around 12 grams, which is about the same as two teaspoons of sugar. This makes it the smallest gliding mammal on Earth.
Its fur is very soft and feels like silk. The top part of its body is a grayish-brown color, and its belly is white. It has dark rings of fur around its eyes. Its nose is hairless and has a deep split. The glider also has many long whiskers on its snout, cheeks, and near its ears.
Its Amazing Gliding Skin
Like other gliding mammals, the feathertail glider has a special skin flap called a patagium. This flap stretches between its front and back legs. It goes from its elbows to its knees. Even though this flap is smaller than those of some other gliding possums, it has a fringe of long hairs. These hairs make the gliding flap more effective.
The Unique Feather Tail
The feathertail glider's tail is about the same length as its body. It's shaped like an oval and can slightly grip things. The tail has very short fur, except for two rows of long, stiff hairs on each side. These hairs make the tail look like a feather or a double-sided comb. This special tail helps the glider steer and balance when it's gliding.
Special Features for Eating
The glider has a long, thin tongue that can reach up to 11 millimeters (almost half an inch). This tongue has many tiny bumps, making it look like a brush. This brush-like tongue helps the glider collect pollen and eat soft, liquid foods like nectar.
Inside the Pouch
Female feathertail gliders have a pouch that opens towards the front. This is common for marsupials like the glider. Inside the pouch, there are four teats where the baby gliders can feed.
Where Do Feathertail Gliders Live?
Feathertail gliders live along the eastern coast of Australia. You can find them from northern Queensland all the way down to Victoria and the very southeastern part of South Australia.
They live in many different types of forests in these areas. You can find them from sea level up to about 1,200 meters (almost 4,000 feet) high in the mountains. Scientists have found old bones of Acrobates gliders in Queensland. These bones are about 0.5 million years old!
Images for kids
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Feathertail glider, Acrobates pygmaeus, showing the animal's size and its distinctive tail with a "feathered" appearance
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See also
In Spanish: Pósum pigmeo acróbata para niños
