Logan is home to 5 different glider species which include:

• Greater glider (Petauroides volans)
• Yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis)
• Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)
• Squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
• Broad-toed feathertail glider (Acrobates frontalis)

Greater Glider

Greater gliders are the largest gliding possum in Australia. The greater glider is listed as endangered under the Federal Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and endangered under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Learn more about the greater glider, how to spot one and what we can do to protect them.

Yellow-bellied Glider

A largely grey species with a black stripe of fur which extends along its back to the tail and a yellowish belly. The gliding membrane extends from the wrist to the ankle. They prefer tall open sclerophyll forest habitat containing mostly gum-barked and winter flowering eucalypts. They are rare in Logan however acoustic monitoring and spotlighting surveys undertaken as part of the Yellow-bellied Glider project has recently discovered many more records of this species in the western portion of Logan. Visit the Queensland Glider Network page for more information and how you can get involved.

Sugar Glider

A small rat-sized glider with soft grey fur above, cream below with a stripe of black fur along its back. When compared with squirrel gliders, the tail is thinner and can (but not always) have a white tip whereas the squirrel glider never has a white tip. The gliding membrane extends from the wrist to the ankle. Occurs primarily in wetter forests but also drier woodlands/forests. Common in Logan. You can visit the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland for more information.

Squirrel Glider

A larger rat-sized glider with soft grey fur above, white or creamy-white below with a stripe of black fur along its back. The tail is fluffier and wider, particularly where it joins the body, than that of the sugar glider. The gliding membrane extends from the wrist to the ankle. Common in Logan and primarily occurs in dry woodland and open forests. You can visit the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland for more information.

Broad-toed Feathertail Glider

The smallest gliding marsupial in the world (mouse-sized) with a feather-like fringed tail. Body is grey-brown fur above and white below with a gliding membrane extending from elbow to the knee. Occurs in both wet and dry forest and woodland habitat. Uncommonly recorded in Logan perhaps due to its cryptic nature.  You can visit the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland for more information.

How you can help Gliders

Gliders face continued threats to their population because of human settlement and urban expansion. You can help protect our gliders in the following ways:

• Report sightings or evidence of gliders through the iNaturalist website, Council’s wildlife sightings form or call us on 3412 3412. We use this information to better manage and protect gliders.
• Tell your neighbours when you spot a glider in your street or suburb, to help spread awareness in your community.
• If you see a sick or injured glider call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 265) or Wildcare on 07 5527 2444. They operate 24 hours a day.
• Download the Gliding Mammal Guide (PDF 9.15 MB)  to learn more on how you can help save gliders in the Logan.
• Create a glider friendly backyard by:
  • planting glider food and movement trees in your backyard if you have enough room, see Wildlife-safe Backyards for information about how to make your backyard more wildlife friendly or join Council’s free Environmental Conservation Partnerships program for further support such as free native plants and access to expert advice for your property
  • install glider specific nest boxes
  • keep your cat indoors (particularly at night) or within an enclosure/cat run when outdoors
• Get involved in our programs and events held throughout the year to support glider conservation. To learn more, see Environmental events

How are we helping Gliders in Logan City?

Our goal is to protect and enhance the glider populations in the City of Logan. Actions we have taken or continue to undertake include:

• Protecting glider habitat through the acquisition of land with high ecological value like Spring Mountain Forest Park South, Greenbank.
• Increasing knowledge of gliders through environmental events. These events include tree plantings, educational talks, nest box building and spotlighting events.
• Supporting glider carers through the EnviroGrants program. 
• Working with landowners to keep or plant more glider friendly vegetation. See Environmental Conservation Partnerships for information about how we help land owners do this.
• Mapping potential and known greater glider habitat across the city.
• Spotlighting surveys on Council and private land to increase sightings data and refine habitat mapping.
• Installing and monitoring nest boxes for greater gliders on Council land.