Sliding bag
| Sliding bag | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Short-headed gliding pouch ( Petaurus breviceps ) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Petauridae | ||||||||||||
| Bonaparte , 1827 | ||||||||||||
| Genera | ||||||||||||
|
The Gleitbeutler (Petauridae) are a family of the marsupial order of the Diprotodontia . In addition to types with a sliding membrane, there are also some that do not have one. In addition, there are marsupials with a sliding membrane in other families: the giant gliding pouch belongs to the ring pouch , while the dwarf gliding pouch forms its own family with a second species.
The Gleitbeutler family includes three genera with 12 species.
distribution
Glide pouches are found all over eastern Australia and New Guinea .
description
Only the Gleithörnchenbeutler (genus Petaurus ) have a sliding membrane , the striped bag and the croissant bag, however, not. All species are characterized by their relatively short head and bushy tail. Black and white patterns on the mostly gray-brown fur and on the face are also typical. The Gleitbeutler reach a head body length of 12 to 32 cm (the tail can also be over 40 cm long) and a weight of up to 0.7 kg.
Way of life
Glide pouches are nocturnal forest dwellers who rarely or never come to the ground. During the day they hide in nests or hollow trees. All species are excellent climbers and can make long leaps over branches. With the gliding squirrel bucket there is also gliding. The bushy tail serves to balance the climbing activities, and for the gliding squirrel bucks it is also used to steer the gliding flights. Glide pouches usually live in small groups, couples often stay together for several years.
nutrition
The diet of the slide bag consists of insects, fruits, leaves and flowers. Some species also ingest nectar or nibble on tree bark to lick up tree sap.
Reproduction
Glide pouches have two to four teats in a well-developed pouch. Mating can take place all year round, except during the Australian summer (December to February). After 14 to 21 days of gestation, one or two young are born. These remain in the bag for 70 to 90 days, are weaned at four to five months and become independent and sexually mature in the second year of life. Life expectancy in captivity can be up to 14 years.
Danger
The clearing of the forests and thus the destruction of their habitat are the greatest problem for the glider. Three of the ten species are threatened, according to the IUCN , two others are endangered.
Genera
- The five types of striped bucket ( Dactylopsila ) are characterized by stripes on the back and an elongated fourth toe, similar to the finger animal .
- The croissant ( Gymnobelideus leadbeateri ) lives in a small area in southeastern Australia.
- The Gleithörnchenbeutler or actual glider ( Petaurus ) comprise eight species that occur in eastern Australia and New Guinea. Outwardly they are reminiscent of the flying squirrels from the order of rodents . Its best-known representative is the short-head glide bag .
literature
- Stephen Jackson: Family Petauridae (Striped Possums, Leadbeater's Possum and Lesser Gliders). in: Don E. Wilson , Russell A. Mittermeier : Handbook of the Mammals of the World - Volume 5. Monotremes and Marsupials. Lynx Editions, 2015, ISBN 978-84-96553-99-6 , pp. 532-565.
