Home range of the Australian squirrel glider, Petaurus norfolcensis (Diprotodontia)

Knowledge of the home range of threatened species is basic to their management and conservation. We describe the home range of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), a threatened marsupial, in the central part of its geographic range in eastern Australia. Thirteen individuals belonging to 6 monogamous social groups were radiotracked for 2-9 months. The adaptive kernel (AK95%) estimate reached an asymptote at approximately 30 locations, giving a mean area of 6.2 ha +/- 0.6 SE for the 9 gliders with >30 locations. The AK50% averaged 0.9 +/- 0.2 ha, indicating that small core parts of the home range were used intensively. Home ranges of group members (AK95%) showed a high degree of overlap (77%) and when combined averaged 6.7 +/- 1.0 ha. They overlapped substantially (50%) with adjacent glider groups but core areas (AK50%) within them overlapped by only 12%. Two of 5 available habitats were well represented in all group home ranges. Habitat dominated by coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia), a key winter nectar food resource, was overrepresented compared to its availability. Conservation measures for this species involving habitat retention or restoration must be informed by recognition of what comprises a preferred local habitat and its distribution.