The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

Posted in , ,

FTG's-004-with-credit

Meet one of Taronga Zoo's tiniest new arrivals. It’s hard to believe that this Feathertail Glider is too big for its mom’s pouch. It moved into the nest box about a week ago with its siblings. Australian Feather-tail Gliders are the world’s smallest gliding mammals. Thanks to their special gliding membrane, Feather-tails can glide for up to 20 meters. Their feathered tail (which is – Surprise! – where their name comes from) also acts as a rudder when they fly, thus helping the Gliders to steer. Although one of the lesser known Australian animals, the Feather-tail Glider used to feature on Australia's one-cent coin before it was taken out of circulation.

FTG's-003_with-Credit

FTG's-001_with-Credit
Photo credit: Robert Dockerill

9 responses to “What’s a Feathertail Glider?”

  1. Classic Steve Avatar

    I assume it’s a cousin to the sugar glider. I want to see an adult nearby to compare to the cute baby.

  2. Marga Avatar
    Marga

    Just wonder how are these itsy tiny critters are fed ??

  3. Trilby Avatar
    Trilby

    Aw… poor little guy, too big for the pouch and so frail and tiny.

  4. Sherry Sechrist Avatar
    Sherry Sechrist

    It is so tiny!!! but so very cute.

  5. John Bauer Avatar

    Is that the largest they get I have never seen a feathertail Glider before. what do they look like full grown?

  6. Rachel Black Avatar
    Rachel Black

    Am I correct that the one(s) in the photos don’t even have their eyes open?

  7. Andrew Bleiman Avatar

    Rachel, this appears to be the case. If they are open, it’s only very slightly.

  8. Pippa Avatar
    Pippa

    It’s so tiny! And already too big for the pouch? The adult must not be much bigger.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from ZooBorns

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading