What's small, fluffy and ridiculously adorable? A baby yellow-bellied glider!
Born at the Taronga Zoo, this tiny marsupial is the thirteenth joey to emerge from the zoo's breeding program, and will grow up to be an important ambassador for the species. Although yellow-bellied gliders are listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN Red List, population numbers are on the decrease as a result of habitat loss. Taronga Zoo is home to the world's only successful breeding program for the declining species.
Fluffy gliders (as they are also known) are part of a group of lightweight marsupials in the Petaurus genus that must have been the inspiration behind the wingsuit. Using folds of loose skin running between their wrists and ankles, gliders can soar from tree to tree in pretty remarkable fashion (check out these sugar gliders in action). The distance record for yellow-bellied glider is an impressive 114 metres.
According to Taronga Zoo's mammals keeper, Wendy Gleen, “The biggest problem for the gliders is local bushland being broken up by development along the eastern seaboard where they’re found. People can help by planting trees and shrubs that are found locally in backyards to create wildlife corridors, and by getting involved with local bush regeneration groups.”
Taronga Zoo are calling for the public to help name their fluffy new addition via their social media channels. Our favourite suggestion so far? Woollybutt ... inspired by the common name for Eucalyptus longifolia, a species of Eucalyptus tree that grows in glider habitat.
Head over to the Taronga Zoo Facebook page to add your name suggestion.
Story and images: Taronga Zoo
