Sugar glider

Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are a small mammal species that are typically found in Australia and New Guinea. They are arboreal marsupials meaning that they live in the trees.

Between the fifth forefinger and back ankle of a sugar glider there is a soft membrane of thin skin (National Geographic, 2022) called a patagium, which allows them to glide. Sugar gliders can glide for around 150ft (over 45 metres) (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 2022). Their tail is used as a rudder during flight.

They are nocturnal meaning that they are active during the night and as an omnivore can consume a varied diet. In the wild they would consume nectar, sap and tree gum, along with fruits and insects (National Geographic, 2022), which is difficult to replicate in captivity.

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

Spoon, Tate and Silver

All three sugar gliders are male. They came to us from another college.

Description: All have similar colouration. Their fur is grey with a dark grey dorsal stripe (this runs down their back). Their stomach is a pale cream colour.

Temperament: Very nervous. One may eat from your hand.

Tarzan

Male, 20/04/21

Description:

Temperament:

Jane

Female, 20/04/21

Description:

Temperament:

References

IUCN (2022). Sugar Glider. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16731/21959798 [Accessed 10th August 2022].

National Geographic (2022). Sugar Glider. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/sugar-glider [Accessed 10th August 2022].

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (2022). Sugar glider. Available at: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/sugar-glider [Accessed 8th August 2022].

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