The gliding possum is a nocturnal acrobat of the forest

What’s Happening

So basically The gliding possum darts through the night, soaring up to 165 feet with its young in its pouch.

This tiny acrobat rules the treetops. The post The gliding possum is a nocturnal acrobat of the forest first appeared on EarthSky. (let that sink in)

Science news, solid photos, sky alerts.

The Details

Discover the insane gliding possum with EarthSkys Cristina Ortiz. Imagine an animal that can glide more than 165 feet (50 m) without flapping its limbs, with eyes so large they seem to capture the entire night, and that carries its young in a pouch like a kangaroo.

It’s not a fantasy creature: it’s the gliding possum. This arboreal marsupial turns the nighttime forest into an airborne highway.

Why This Matters

Although many confuse gliding possums with flying squirrels, they are not related. The gliding possum is not a rodent; it’s a marsupial, which changes the story completely. Here are the secrets of one of Oceania’s most fascinating mammals.

The scientific community tends to find developments like this significant.

Key Takeaways

• The gliding possum is a small marsupial with a light, flexible body adapted to life in the trees.
• Depending on the species, its size varies considerably, from the tiny pygmy gliding possum (Acrobates pygmaeus), weighing just over 0.
• 35 ounces (10 g), to the greater gliders, which can reach up to 3.
• Its fur is usually soft and dense, in shades of gray or brown, often with a darker stripe along the back.

The Bottom Line

When they start venturing out, they practice climbing and exploring under the watchful eye of their mother, who protects and guides them in their first movements. The most astonishing feature of the gliding possum is the patagium, a thin skin membrane stretching from the forelimbs to the hindlimbs.

Thoughts? Drop them below.