[7] The species can be distinguished from P. breviceps by its more clearly defined mid-dorsal stripe and a more attenuated tail, with longer fur at the base which shortens towards the tip.

[8] Populations of Petaurus in New Guinea likely represent a distinct species complex, but have been tentatively classified within P. notatus until they can be further studied.

[10][11] The facilitated introduction of the sugar glider to Tasmania in 1835[12] is supported by the absence of skeletal remains in subfossil bone deposits and the lack of an Aboriginal Tasmanian name for the animal.

[14] They have a broad habitat niche, inhabiting rainforests and coconut plantations in New Guinea; and rainforests, wet or dry sclerophyll forest and acacia scrub in Australia; preferring habitats with Eucalypt and Acacia species.

[15] It has been suggested that the expanding overseas trade in Petaurus was initiated from illegally sourced sugar gliders from Australia, which were bred for resale in Indonesia.

[5] There have been media and internet articles which evidence a history of cruelty,[18][19] and reporting on why Krefft's gliders should not be kept as pets.

[22][23] Krefft's gliders are popular as pets in the United States, where they are bred in large numbers.