SUGAR GLIDER
" Saving one animal won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal."-Vicki Davis-
What is Sugar Glider ?
The sugar glider ( Petaurus breviceps) is a small, omnivorous, and a nocturnal gliding animal. They are able to glide trough the air, much like a flying squirrel.
Where Do Sugar Gliders Live In The Wild?
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| -sugar glider natural range- |
Sugar gliders are found in the forests of Australia and New Guinea. In fact, they’re the only species endemic to both countries.
(‘Endemic’ means they are only found in a particular region.)
Sugar gliders are found all along the eastern side of Australia, from Tasmania up to northern Queensland, also in parts of the Northern Territory, several islands, and throughout New Guinea.
What are they like?
- The sugar glider looks like a small squirrel. It has short grey fur, not unlike that of a koala. Its soft underside fur is a creamy-white.
- The sugar glider has black rings around its big, black eyes, and a black stripe running down the centre of its face and ending just above its nose.
- This black stripe continues down the back of the sugar glider and ends before its wide, rather bushy grey tail.
- The sugar glider has 5 digits on each foot. Its hind feet each have an opposable toe, allowing the sugar glider to grip onto branches.
- The sugar glider’s tail is long and flat and helps the animal to balance and steer while it is gliding. The tail is also partially prehensile (able to grip) and is used to carry leaves into its nest.
How do they behave?
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| i believe i can fly~~ |
The animal launches itself from a tree, spreading its limbs to expose the gliding membranes. This creates an aerofoil enabling them to glide 50 metres or more. Gliding provides minimal contact with ground predators. Glinding may also allow sugar gliders to decrease their energy consumption when searching for food.
Like all arboreal, nocturnal marsupials, sugar gliders are active at night, and shelter in tree hollows lined with leafy twigs during the day.
What do they eat?
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| Gumtrees provide and ideal habitat for sugar gliders |
Sugar gliders are omnivores, which means that their diet consists of plants and animals. They have a varied diet, which changes according to the season.
Known (and named) for their liking of sweet foods, sugar gliders eat gum, sap and nectar from trees and plants. In the summer, insects form the main part of their diet.
Sugar gliders are opportunistic feeders, and will also eat lizards and small birds. Their predation of the endangered swift parrot’s nestlings is a threat to the bird’s survival.
How do they re-product?
Sugar gliders breed throughout the year. The gestation period is between 2 and 3 weeks, and they have litters of 1 to 3 young.
At birth, the ‘joeys’ (baby sugar gliders) are extremely undeveloped. The tiny, hairless joeys crawl through the mother’s fur and into her forward-opening pouch. Here they will stay, feeding on the mother’s milk, for another 2 months.
Male sugar gliders help to look after their young, who will leave the nest around 110 days after being born.
Do sugar gliders have any predators?
The nocturnal sugar glider is a natural prey item for owls. Other animals which have been known to take sugar gliders are monitor lizards, quolls, and several bird and snake speciesFeral cats will also prey on sugar gliders.
Sugar Gliders As Pets
Due to its endearing looks, the sugar glider is sought-after as a pet. They are popular in the USA, and are permitted in all states other than California, Hawaii and Alaska. In Australia, they can only be kept as pets in in Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory
Are Sugar Gliders Endangered?
Sugar gliders are not endangered, and are ranked by the IUCN as being of ‘Least Concern’.
Colonies
- Sugar gliders are usually social animals, living in small colonies or family groups, which can number up to seven adults and their young.
- The group’s territory can cover up to 2.5 acres, and is scent marked by the dominant males of the group, of which there are usually two.
- Sugar gliders use a wide range of squeaks, hisses and barks – as well as scent markings – to communicate with each other
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