What is Sugar Glider

The Sugar Glider (petaurus breviceps) belongs to the marsupial family like kangaroos, opossums, wombats and also Tasmanian Devils. They can be found in the forest of Australia, Papua New Guinea and some part of Indonesia.

An adult Sugar Glider measures about 5 to 7 inches, with a tail almost of the equal length. They have a long, fluffy tail, slender long clawed toes and big eyes. They have are gray color with a creamy colored underside. A black stripe runs on the back in line with the spine from the top of the head to the tail.

Sugar Gliders are nocturnal; they sleep during the day and active during the night hunting for insects and small vertebrates. In the wild they dwell in tree tops gliding from tree to tree and they are very sociable and affectionate living in large groups of 10 to 15.

They got their name from their love for sweet foods and their ability to glide through the air. The sweet sap of eucalyptus, acacia and gum trees are favored by Sugar Gliders.

What unique about the Sugar Glider is their pair of skin membrane (patagia) down the side from the wrists to the ankles, when fully extended allowing them to glide through the air. Gliders also have opposable fingers and toes. Their front feet have five fingers with sharp scimitar shaped claws. The hind feet have a large opposable big toe.

The ears are large, thin and are constantly in motion, moving independently of one another to pick up the smallest sounds. Their eyes are very large and dark and allowing them for a wider field of vision.