Sugar Glider

It is likely that the sugar glider was introduced to Tasmania, possibly in the early decades of the 19th century. The animal's scientific name translates as 'short-headed rope-dancer' - a reference to its adept movements high in the canopy.

The sugar glider is one of a number of volplaning (gliding) possums in Australia. This remarkable ability to glide is achieved through a flap of loose skin which extends between the fifth finger of the hand and the first toe of the foot. The animal launches itself from a tree, spreads its limbs to expose the gliding membrane and directs its glide through subtle changes in the curvature of the membrane. The possum can glide for up to 100 metres. They rarely descend to the ground. Gliding is thought to serve as both an efficient means of locomotion and an effective way of reducing the risk of predation.

Sugar gliders are widespread throughout a range of habitats in Tasmania. Old growth trees with hollows are important in providing nesting sites for the species.

Sugar gliders have a sweet tooth - their diet consists of flower nectar, acacia gum, eucalypt sap and insects.

They breed during the winter and spring months, with two young being the normal litter size. Young spend about 70 days in the pouch before being left in the nest. Individuals can live for up to nine years in the wild.

Sugar gliders are highly social - for marsupials - with nests often comprising up to seven adults and their young. The sugar glider is well endowed with scent glands, which presumably allow territorial marking and individual recognition of family members.

• Where to find them.