#acrobates pygmaeus

The scientific name of this species is Acrobates pygmaeus (literally "pygmy acrobat") but it's commonly known as the feathertail glider, the pygmy glider, or the flying mouse.

This is the smallest gliding mammal in the world, as its head and body have a combined length of just 6.5-8cm, and its tail measures another 7-8cm long. The tail is fringed on each side with a row of long, stiff hairs that give it a feather-like appearance -- a feature that is not found in any other mammal. This feather-shaped tail acts as a rudder, allowing the tiny marsupial to steer and brake as it glides.

Feathertail gliders struggle to stay warm in harsh conditions, and they must enter a state known as torpor in order to preserve their energy, as this article describes:

A fascinating feature of these tiny mammals is that because they are so small, they have trouble staying warm when it is cold or when there is a food shortage; like the Sugar glider, they enter a state known as torpor.

This means that for short periods, their breathing slows down, and the animal becomes unresponsive; the body temperature drops almost to that of its surroundings. This state is not to be mistaken for hibernation, which is for much longer periods and is not known to occur in marsupials.

This article also adds:

Groups of A. pygmaeus have been observed in practically any available enclosed space, from hollow tree trunks to telephone interchange boxes to bird nests or possum dreys. They form spherical nests (dreys) of vegatation, usually eucalypt leaves, bark and tree-fern fiber. They have been found in groups of up to 20 individuals, but these are not considered stable associations. It is believed that communication between mother and young is through a number of high-frequency sounds and marking with urine.

Feathertail gliders are found only in mainland Australia.

Sources & More Info:

Moonlit Sanctuary: Narrow-Toed Feathertail Gliders

Australian Museum: The Feathertail Glider

Animal Diversity Web: Acrobates pygmaeus

Mammalian Species: A. pygmaeus

Wildlife Information, Rescue, and Education Service: The Feathertail Glider

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland: Feathertail Gliders

Feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus)

The feathertail glider is a species of marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is the world's smallest gliding mammal and is named for its long feather-shaped tail.At just 6.5 to 8 cm in head-and-body length and weighing about 12 g, the feathertail glider is only around the size of a small mouse. Like other gliding mammals, the feathertail glider has a patagium stretching between the fore and hind legs. They inhabit a wide range of forest types across the region, from sea level to at least 1,200 m. Feathertail gliders are omnivorous, feeding on nectar, pollen, and arthropods such as moths, ants, and termites. They are arboreal, and although they do occasionally descend to the ground to forage, they spend as much as 87% of their time over 15 m above the ground, particularly in eucalyptus trees. They are nocturnal, spending the day resting in nests in tree hollows, lined with leaves or shredded bark. They are social animals, and up to five may share a single nest, especially during the breeding season.

Acrobates pygmaeus

Acrobates translates into acrobat, which itself translates into the one that walks on the top, while pygmaeus means a dwarf.

Family: Acrobatidae (Feathertail Possums)

Fun Fact: Similar to hummingbirds, “A. pygmaeus undergoes multi-day torpor bouts, lowering its body temperature to about 2 degrees Celcius (35 F).: (ADW).

Habitat: They are endemic to forests and grasslands of eastern and southeastern Australia. 

Ecosystem Role: They help control populations of insects and spiders, but will also consume the honeydew on insects found on eucalyptus trees, and sometimes will rarely drink their nectar.