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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 34(4)

Time-budget and feeding behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in remnant linear habitat

Greg J. Holland A C , Andrew F. Bennett A and Rodney van der Ree B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Landscape Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

B Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, c/- School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ghol@deakin.edu.au

Wildlife Research 34(4) 288-295 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06104
Submitted: 11 August 2006  Accepted: 23 May 2007   Published: 28 June 2007

Abstract

The squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) occurs in forests and woodlands in eastern Australia. In Victoria it is now largely restricted to small, fragmented areas and is considered endangered. In this study, the time-budget, feeding behaviour and related habitat use of the squirrel glider were investigated in a linear remnant of roadside vegetation near Euroa, Victoria. Timed observations of three males and three females, fitted with radio-collars, were made in each of four seasons. Gliders were observed for a total of 53.2 h, during which they devoted 72% of time to foraging activities. Grooming accounted for 16% of observation time. Exudates associated with homopterous insects were the primary food items consumed throughout the year. Arthropods, nectar and pollen, and Acacia gum formed the remainder of the diet. The proportion of time devoted to harvesting these food items showed marked seasonal variation. The primary dependence on homopterous insect exudates in this study area contrasts with other investigations at sites of greater floristic diversity where nectar and pollen were the most important dietary resources. This highlights the need to obtain ecological information from the range of habitats occupied by a species. Large trees are a vital habitat component of remnant linear vegetation in this study area, providing gliders with critical foraging resources. Retention of such trees is essential for the longevity of glider populations.


Acknowledgements

Thanks to Luke Murphy, Michael Dunn, Trish Kendall and Natalie Holland for assistance with animal trapping. Ray Thomas and Jim Tehan provided accommodation while in the field. This study was carried out under Deakin University Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee Permit No. A05/96 and Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment Permit No. RP-98–056. Thanks to Ross Goldingay and an anonymous reviewer for comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript.


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