this thread is all about Sugar Gliders.
The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small gliding possum.
The sugar glider is a marsupial that is native to eastern and northern mainland Australia (as well as being introduced to Tasmania, Australia) and is also native to New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.
DESCRIPTION
They are silvery blue grey in colour (dark stripe on back) , very light (100 to 160g), their body length is around 200mm long with a similar length tail
It is thought that Sugar gliders live for 9 years in their natural habitat
The sugar glider makes a variety of noises ranging from shrill yapping ( predator is near), a sharp shriek (when fighting)to a "gurgling chatter" when in their nest.
GLIDING
The gliding membrane (a very thin skin) extends from the fifth finger to the ankle. By spreading out this membrane they can glide distances of 50 to 100 meters from tree to tree.
They use their long bushy tail for stability and steering as well as "tilting" the left or right membrane, and lands successfully on its outstretched feet.
LOCATION & HABITAT
Found where there is plenty of rainfall (both cool and tropical climate) in wet and dry forests and woodland, usually with acacia gum plants about
BEHAVIOUR
Sugar Gliders are active at night and during the day sleep in a nest made of leaves in tree-hollows.
Anywhere from 7 and 12 gliders will co-habitat in these nests, some say to help keep themselves warm by sharing body heat.
Another way they can conserve heat, when food is scarce or temperatures plummet, is to go into a Torpor (Like a mild hibernation- where its body temperature drops down close to the air around them)
They are playful amongst their own "clan" group but will fiercely attack any intruder whether it be another Sugar Glider or a totally different animal.
Dominant male sugar gliders will scent other clan members and the territory around the nest.
FEEDING
The Sugar Glider feeds on the gum and sap from acacias and eucalyptus as well as eating a range of arboreal insects (insects living off trees)
This feeding and foraging takes place after dusk
BREEDING
Sugar Gliders breed from July to November so the young are taken care of during spring and summer when there is plenty of food.
Being Marsupials the young remain in a pouch usually for just over 2 months. The pouch is forward facing with two teats, and thus often twins are born. After these first 2 months the young are then left for a further month or so in the nest.
They then leave the nest to forage for food under the guidance of either their father or mother
Other Infos:
A. Pets
Sugar Gliders make wonderful pets for the young and the young at heart! They adapt well to
humans and develop strong relational bonds with their owners. They are communal animals that
need and crave attention from you, the owner, or another Sugar Glider. How close your newly
adopted pet bonds to you will depend on the time you spend together. A minimum of 2 hours a day
is recommended but more time is always better. Sugar Gliders can live up to 12 years, possibly
longer. With proper food, shelter, and companionship your pet can live a long and happy life.
B. Handling
Sugar Gliders are fragile creatures but they can be easily handled. Make sure that the Sugar Glider
is used to being held and does not nip before you let a child handle them. Sugar Gliders are
nocturnal making them easier to handler early in the morning just before they go to sleep or before
they normally get up at night. If you work with them daily they will become familiar with your scent
and more trusting. Soon they will become your best friend. They love to be cuddled and pet. You
can carry them around the house in a loose shirt pocket or on a shoulder. Make sure they have a
place to crawl into if they feel insecure of just need to rest. It has been suggested that you carry your
Sugar Glider around in your pants pockets. I would strongly advise against this. You may forget
about them and sit down wrong, seriously injuring your pet.
C. Other people & pets
The long and short of it is that Sugar Gliders make wonderful pets. They seem to relate well to
others with little or no difficulty. Problems typically arise from other people or animals and their
willingness to accept the Sugar Glider. Of course this is also related to the amount of time you
spend with your pet and how you both react to others.
Sugar glider
Originally Posted by whin
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