The genus Petaurus (/pə.tɔːˈrəs/) contains flying phalangers or wrist-winged gliders, a group of arboreal possums native to Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands.

[1] Flying phalangers are typically nocturnal, most being small (sometimes around 400 mm (16 in), counting the tail), and have folds of loose skin (patagia) running from the wrists to the ankles.

Beside the distinctive skin folds, flying phalangers also have large, forward-facing eyes, short (though pointed) faces, and long flat tails which are used as rudders while gliding.

All are omnivores, and eat tree sap, gum, nectar, pollen, and insects, along with manna and honeydew.

[3] A 2020 study found that the true sugar glider (P. breviceps) also has a restricted range in Australia, making it far more threatened than initially thought.