SUGAR GLIDER

Sugar gliders are found along the coastal strip of Eastern Australia, ranging from Tasmania to the Northern Territory. They inhabit dense to medium eucalypt forests, with a typical home range of about 3 hectares.

Both males and females are similar in size, measuring around 16-21 cm, with a long bushy tail of approximately 17-21 cm, roughly equal to their body length. Males can weigh up to 160g, while females weigh around 120g.

These agile creatures can glide for impressive distances, covering at least 50 meters through the trees. By leaping from tree to tree and extending the gliding membranes (patagium) on each side of their body, they steer and maintain stability. As they approach the target tree, they bring their hind legs in towards the body and land with all four feet on the bark.

Although sugar gliders are skilled gliders, occasionally they misjudge distances and may collide with branches or the trunk of a tree, resulting in fatal injuries or head trauma.

Sugar gliders communicate through various vocalizations. They emit a shrill yapping sound as a warning signal, and a sharp threatening growl during fights. They also produce a gurgling sound, known as chatter, within their nests.

Nesting in tree hollows, sugar gliders rely on old trees for shelter and breeding. Their nests, called dens, are lined with gum leaves. Social groups consist of up to 7 adults and their young, sharing a common nest. The male marks all members of the group using scent glands and defends the territory against intruders.

Mating occurs in June, and young sugar gliders emerge in spring when food is abundant. Females typically produce 2 offspring, which remain in the pouch for 70 days before spending an additional 30 days in the common nest.

At around 3-4 months old, the young venture out at night, often riding on their mother’s back or closely following her. Between 7-10 months old, both male and female young leave their home territory, with females sometimes allowed to stay if a female has been lost. This dispersal stage poses risks due to habitat loss, clearing, and the presence of predators such as cats, dogs, owls, kookaburras, lace monitors, and foxes.

Sugar gliders feed on gum produced by acacias, sap from certain eucalypt trees, new tips of eucalypt leaves, native flowers like Grevillia and Bottlebrush, as well as insects. In cold weather or during food scarcity, they conserve energy by huddling together or becoming torpid for up to 16 hours at a time.

Overall, sugar gliders face threats from predators, habitat loss, and introduced species, highlighting the importance of preserving their natural habitat and mitigating these risks.