It is likely that the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) was
introduced to Tasmania, possibly in the early decades of the
nineteenth century. The lack of skeletal remains in subfossil
bone deposits and the lack of an Aboriginal name for the animal
supports the view that it was introduced. The animal's
scientific name translates: 'short-headed rope-dancer' - a
reference to its adept movements high in the canopy. possums in
Australia. This remarkable ability to glide is achieved through
a flap of loose skin which extends between the fifth finger of
the hand to the first toe of the foot. The animal launches
itself from a tree, spreads its limbs to expose the gliding
membrane and directs its glide through subtle changes in the
curvature of the membrane. The possum can glide for up to 100
metres. The species rarely descends to the ground. Presumably
gliding serves as both an efficient means of locomotion and an
effective way of reducing the risk of predation. The sugar
glider is well-endowed with scent glands which