The earliest description of mahogany gliders was in 1883, but over a hundred years, they were considered as subspecies of squirrel glider, the Petaurus norfolcensis. The mahogany gliders were rediscovered in 1989 and were considered as separate specie in 1993 after examining the skulls and skin of the old and newly discovered specimen. These gliders have thin and furred membrane which stretches from the foot in the front up to the ankles at the hind foot. When the gliding membranes are not used, they are a wavy line along the body. Their feet are just like the hand with on opposable big toe at the hind foot. This glider has grey to brown coat with black stripes running along the whole stretch of the body. The underside of the glider is creamy white or sometimes mahogany in color. Its long tail, which is very furry, is used in stabilization during the gliding.
The mahogany gliders can be seen in narrow and highly fragmented medium to low woodlands on the lowland coast between Hull River near Tully and the Crystal Creek 30 km south of Ingham, North Queensland. This north-south distance that is approximately 108 km encompasses an area of only 720 km2. They live on lowland eucalyptus woodland on the swampy coastal plains as well as on beach ridges. They are limited to areas with high seasonal precipitation.
Since they are newly rediscovered, there is less known information about mahogany glider regarding its ecology and behaviour. These mahogany gliders are nocturnal and arboreal. They can glide from one tree to another tree with a distance of up to 60 meters just by stretching their membranes. This glider is usually solitary and spends their day asleep in tree’s hollows, and during the night, they just forage across their home range which could be 23 hectares in area. The female mahogany glider gives birth of up to two offspring, and raises them on their own.
Mahogany gliders feed on sap and gum of eucalyptus and acacia trees. They also take gums of floral spears of grass trees. Also part of their diet are pollens and nectar as well as insects and spiders.
These animal gliders are also being threatened due to the loss of their habitat. It is believed that 80% of the coastal woodland habitat had been cleaned for agricultural planting of bananas, sugar canes and the likes as well as with cattle grazing. The remaining habitat may not be sufficient enough in supporting a viable number and are prone to wildfires and clearing operations.
Mahogany gliders are already listed at the Australian Endangered Species Protection Act of 1992 as well as at the Queensland Parks and Wildfire Service. These are working for the protection of the remaining habitats of animals. These are vital in maintaining their numbers in the few forests where it can be found.