Where do they live?
Squirrel Gliders live in mature or old‑growth woodlands, depending heavily on tree hollows for shelter and nesting. They are rarely found on the ground and are fantastic climbers.
They have declined across their range due to the loss of hollow‑bearing trees and food resources, predation by introduced predators, and collisions with cars.
What do they eat?
Squirrel Gliders are omnivores that vary their diet according to the season. They mostly feed on insects (like caterpillars, beetles and stick insects), pollen, eucalypt nectar, and wattle and eucalypt sap.
What do they look like?
Gliders such as Squirrel Gliders have a membrane of skin that stretches between their front and back legs, enabling them to glide through the air for up to 50m when they jump from tree to tree.
Adult Squirrel Gliders look very similar to Sugar Gliders, however they are bigger (up to twice as big), have more distinct facial markings, their nests inside tree hollows are flatter, and they are less vocal.
They have blue-grey or brown-grey fur on their back, white fur on their belly, and the end of their tail is black. They have a dark stripe from between their eyes to mid-back, and dark around the eyes and the outside of the ears.
They feed at night, so they have large light sensitive eyes allow for increased night vision.
How can you support Squirrel Gliders?
- Report sightings: Let Council know if you spot a glider by emailing species.sightings@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.
- Create a backyard sanctuary: Turn your garden into a safe refuge for local wildlife by planting native shrubs and ground covers that offer food and shelter. Help protect them further by keeping pets indoors at night. For practical tips, see Backyard Habitat.
- Use wildlife‑friendly netting and fencing: Prevent animals from becoming trapped or injured while still protecting your plants and gardens by choosing small, tightly woven netting and avoiding barbed‑wire fencing. You can learn more about safe netting practices here and explore wildlife‑friendly fencing options here.
- Keep and protect all trees with hollows, even if they are dead: tree hollows are critical for gliders to keep safe from predators and raise their young.
Fun facts
- Squirrel Gliders live in family groups of up to 10 members.
- Gliders have pouches with strong muscles that help keep joeys secure when gliding - kind of like a seat belt.
- Male Squirrel Gliders have a scent gland on the top of their head, hidden within the dark stripe, which they use to mark their territory and members of their family group.