Foraging behaviour and food availability of the mahogany glider Petaurus gracilis (Petauridae: Marsupialia)

The mahogany glider Petaurus gracilis is an endangered species of gliding possum that is only found within a limited distribution in North Queensland, Australia. The foraging behaviour of the mahogany glider was examined to determine how it changes seasonally, by extensive observations of radio‐collared animals over a 2‐year period. A total of 440 h was spent following mahogany gliders, of which 222 h of feeding behaviour was observed. Nectar and pollen were clearly the most important food items, comprising between 50 and 99+ (mean 72.8+) of the observed feeding time when available. Nectar and pollen were consumed almost exclusively from Myrtaceae species with Eucalyptus , Corymbia and Melaleuca being eaten. Casual observations of a number of faecal samples showed that c. 80+ of pollen grains were digested suggesting that pollen is a major source of protein. Other food items consumed included sap from Albizia procera and Acacia mangium , insects, lerps and honeydew, Acacia arils and fruit from mistletoes. In using these food items, the mahogany glider relied on complex seasonal cycles of food availability, requiring a high diversity of plants, with each species having distinct periods when it provides food during the year.