Understanding the gliding ability of gliding mammals provides important insights into their evolutionary adaptations as well as critical information to guide habitat management and conservation planning, especially to mitigate barriers caused by habitat fragmentation. We studied the gliding movements of the endangered southern greater glider (Petauroides volans), a nocturnal marsupial reliant on mature forests, in five locations in NSW, Australia. Gliding angles were measured from 41 glides using three methods: (i) observing glides from captured gliders released onto isolated trees; (ii) observing glides after individuals left their den hollows in isolated hollow-bearing trees after sunset and (iii) recording glides while observers were engaged in spotlighting or other fieldwork. Trees in our study areas ranged from 16 to 40 m tall. Greater gliders launched from an average height of 21.8 m above ground and landed at an average height of 4.7 m, achieving an average horizontal glide distance of 19.1 m (range: 6.7–49.6 m). The average glide ratio (horizontal distance/height dropped) was 1:1.1 with an average glide angle of 43.5°. These estimates of glide performance may vary in other forests with different structural attributes, particularly taller canopies. The results of this study can be incorporated into management strategies to help maintain habitat connectivity and mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation so as to support the conservation of this endangered species.
Gracanin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.