Sugar gliders are one of the most adorable pets available in the world. Yes, these little marsupials are cute and cuddly, but there’s so much more to learn about these tiny creatures. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a sugar glider, or simply want to learn more about these little flyers, read on below for 10 of the most interesting and fun facts you never knew.
The 10 Sugar Glider Facts
Now that you’ve met the sugar glider, learned about their origins, and a few of their most notable characteristics, it’s time to discover little-known facts you didn’t know about these creatures.
1. Their Name Hints at Their Food Preferences
Sugar gliders get their name from their love of sugar. In their natural habitat and captivity, these animals love including sweets in their diet. No matter the sweet treat, a sugar glider will enjoy it.
2 .Sugar Gliders Are Loud
Sugar gliders are known to have a loud bark, often compared to that of a dog. Considering these tiny creatures are mostly nocturnal, pet owners may find themselves hearing quite a bit of noise when they should be sleeping.
3 .Adult Sugar Gliders Are Quite Small
At full size, the adult sugar glider only measures up to 13 inches. Being so small, their weight is also minimal. At full growth, most gliders only weigh 4 to 5 ounces.
4. They Have Amazing Ears
A sugar glider’s ears are quite helpful. These ears move independently to help a sugar glider hear approaching predators or locate prey. These helpful ears are both hairless and constantly moving.
5 .They Are Very Social
Sugar gliders are very social animals. This is one of the biggest reasons they bond so closely with their owners when kept as pets. This closeness makes them one of the most sought-after pets to have.
6 .Male Sugar Gliders Have a Bald Spot
Every male sugar glider has a bald spot on top of their head. A scent gland, this spot appears as males reach sexual maturity and is used to help them mark their females, offspring, and territories.
7.They Like Having Big Families
As social animals, sugar gliders don’t like living alone. This is the same in the wild as in captivity. Sugar gliders prefer living in colonies in the forest. In this colony, it is common to find seven to nine adults and their children all cohabitating together.
8. Sugar Gliders Have Fingers on Their Hands and Feet
A sugar glider has four fingers on its hands and feet. Their opposable thumbs are mostly used to grip trees when they are gliding, but the fingers also stick very well to help them navigate life in the rainforest.
9.They Suffer From Depression in the End
Sugar gliders have an average life span of 10 to 12 years. If they are well cared for, this may be even longer when kept as a pet. When nearing the end of their time, a sugar glider will very often become depressed. This could be attributed to their sadness about leaving their colony or owner due to their need to be in a social setting.
10.They Are One of the Most Frequently Illegally-Traded Animals
The illegal animal trade affects several animal species on the planet. Unfortunately, the sugar glider is one of the most common. Due to their cuteness and demand for them as pets, these tiny animals are often stolen from their natural habitat illegally to be sold on the trade market.
The Origin of Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders, scientifically known as Petaurus breviceps, are Australian natives and are found mostly in the eastern part of the country in areas such as Tasmania and Queensland. These creatures can also be seen naturally in Papua New Guinea and the surrounding islands. These tiny animals prefer life in the rainforest, spending their time gliding through the trees. Wild sugar gliders live in hollow trees and in most cases, never spend time on the forest floor.