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Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing feathertail gliders and feathertail possums. There are three living species in this marsupial family and these species are divided into two separate genera. One species, the feather-tailed possum, exists in New Guinea, while the other two species, the feather gliders, are only known to live in eastern mainland Australia. They get their common name “feathertail” from the unique appearance of their tail– it looks very much like a long tail feather from a predatory bird! The hairs lining the sides of this flat tail are stiff which keeps it ridged while balancing on tree branches or gliding. In this way, it acts like a rudder!

Although not fully capable of flight, feathertail gliders do exactly as their name implies. Equipped with a thin flap of skin between their elbows and knees on both sides of their body, these marsupials can soar more than 65 feet, 20 meters, between trees. They live in both wet and dry forested areas and have serrated toe pads which give them grip, even on smooth surfaced trees such as eucalyptus. Feathertail possums, on the other hand, do not have that skin flap and are not able to glide, but they’re still experienced trapeze artists in the trees– tree-peze artists perhaps?! The feather tail on all species can hold on to branches, and these tiny mammals are such excellent climbers, they can cling to a smooth, vertical pane of glass– that’s a grip to rival geckos!

When describing them as small, we truly do mean small. Feathertail gliders are some of the smallest living gliding mammals averaging less than 6 inches, 15 centimeters, in total length. They’re mouse-sized! Feathertail possums are not much bigger, measuring around 10 inches, 25 centimeters, long as adults. These marsupials appear darker across their back with a creamy to white underside. The possum has black stripes that run vertically down across its eyes while the gliders have darker eye patches.

Feathertail gliders and possums are rarely seen, but that doesn't mean they're not around. Much like raccoons, these small mammals are nocturnal, limiting their activities to nighttime. Feathertails are pollinators. They consume nectar and pollen as well as sap, fruits, blossoms, and even honeydew which is a sweet liquid produced by insects such as aphids. The feathertails also eat insects and other invertebrates, but they aren't known to venture out of the trees for treats. Even camera traps baited with easy pickings are left undisturbed when placed on the forest floor, suggesting feathertails much prefer to forage in the trees. An arboreal lifestyle helps protect these mammals from predators but they're still taken by ravens, owls, snakes, monitor lizards, sugar gliders, and ghost bats! What's more, feathertails are threatened by introduced animals such as foxes and domestic cats. That being said, they seem to benefit from agricultural practices that disturb forest habitat as long as there is enough vegetation for foraging above the forest floor.

Feathertails live in small groups of 2 or 3, spending their days resting in tree hollows. They take multiple partners when breeding, and it's not uncommon for a litter to be fathered by different males or for a female to feed young that she didn't produce. The babies are kept in a pouch that faces the mothers rear end. They'll stay here for just over two months before venturing out. They're weaned around 100 days old and are nearly adult sized by 5 months of age. Although they're small, feathertails can live for more than half a decade in the wild. Much like the Virginia opossum, feathertail litter sizes are limited by their nipples. Feathertail gliders are most frequently observed with 4 nipples, while feathertail possums more commonly have only 2.

Besides help in child rearing, another benefit of group living is that feathertails can huddle for warmth. When the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees Celsius, they enter a low energy state which helps them stave off starvation. This state becomes even more effective when they huddle together!

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