Feathertail glider

The feathertail glider, described by Shaw in 1793, is often cited as the world's smallest gliding mammal, weighing roughly 10 to 15 grams as an adult. Its tiny body size and distinctive flattened, stiff-fringed tail distinguish it from other Australian gliding possums like the sugar glider.

Feathertail gliders are native to eastern Australia, where they inhabit forests and woodlands from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria. They are arboreal and nocturnal, spending their nights foraging for nectar, pollen, and insects in the tree canopy.

The feathertail glider uses a patagium—a thin membrane of skin stretching from the elbow to the knee—to glide between trees, similar to other gliding possums. Its distinctive flat, feather-like tail acts as a rudder to help steer and stabilize during flight.

In Australia, it is generally illegal to keep native wildlife like feathertail gliders as pets without special permits. These tiny marsupials have highly specialized dietary needs and are wild animals best observed in their natural habitat.