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Sugar gilder(Petaurus breviceps)
Phylum —chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — diprotodontia
Family —petauridae
Genus—petaurus
Appearance
The Sugar glider has a squirrel-like body with a long, partially (weakly) prehensile tail. The length from the nose to the tip of the tail is about 24–30 cm (9–12 in), and males and females weigh 140 and 115 grams (5 and 4 oz) respectively.
The fur coat on the Sugar glider is thick, soft, and is usually blue-grey; although some have been known to be yellow, tan or (rarely) albino. A black stripe is seen from its nose to midway on its back. Its belly, throat, and chest are cream in color. Males have four scent glands, located on the forehead, chest, and two paracloacal (associated with, but not part of the cloaca, which is the common opening for the intestinal, urinal and genital tracts) that are used for marking of group members and territory. Scent glands on the head and chest of males appear as bald spots. Females also have a paracloacal scent gland and a scent gland in the pouch, but do not have scent glands on the chest or forehead.
The Sugar glider is nocturnal; its large eyes help it to see at night and its ears swivel to help locate prey in the dark. The eyes are set far apart, allowing more precise triangulation from launching to landing locations while gliding.
Each foot on the Sugar glider has five digits, with an opposable toe on each hind foot. These opposable toes are clawless, and bend such that they can touch all the other digits, like a human thumb, allowing it to firmly grasp branches. The gliding membrane extends from the outside of the fifth digit of each forefoot to the first digit of each hind foot. When the legs are stretched out, this membrane allows the Sugar glider to glide a considerable distance.
Habitat
Sugar gliders occur in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and surrounding islands as well as northern and eastern parts of mainland Australia.
Behavior
These nocturnal animals spend their daytime hours in hollows, which are lined with leaves. They transfer materials to these nests, coiled in their tails. They are highly social and active animals, forming groups, which typically consist of 7 or more adult individuals and their offspring. In order to keep warm and conserve heat in cold weather, these animals may huddle together or, occasionally, enter short periods of torpor. Group members do not fight each other, but are known to display threatening behavior. Each group of Sugar gliders has a dominant male, which is the leader of the group. In order to identify members of its group, he uses a communication system of scent-marking. The dominant male also scent-marks and fiercely defends the territory against intruders. Individuals within the group recognize each other by group scent. Outsiders, which do not belong to the group, are identified due to not sharing the group scent. If such cases do occur, intruders are usually violently attacked by the group members.
Diet
These omnivorous animals particularly favor sweet sap of the eucalyptus tree, supplementing their diet with pollen, nectar, insects and their larvae, arachnids as well as small vertebrates.
Reproduction
Sugar gliders are generally considered to be polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Populations in the northern parts of their range breed year-round. In the south, Sugar gliders breed with a peak period, occurring from June to November, when insects, upon which they feed, are most abundant. Gestation period lasts for 16 days, yielding 1 -2 babies. Immediately after birth, offspring of these marsupials climb into the pouch of their mother, where they continue to grow for around 40 days. They begin coming out of the pouch at 60-70 days. At 111 days old, young leave the nest, after which they usually ride the back of their mother, accompanying her when she forages. And finally, when young reach independence at 7-10 months old, the female leaves them to give birth to another litter. Males of this species are sexually mature by 1 year old, whereas females are able to produce offspring at 8-15 months old.
Lifespan in the wild is up to 9 years; is typically up to 12 years in captivity, and the maximum reported lifespan is 17.8 years.
In captivity
An enclosure that's 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair of Sugar gliders. Bigger is always better, and the height is more valuable than the floor space due to the climbing and gliding activities of these little marsupials.
The cage wire spacing should be no more than a half-inch wide, and the bars should be horizontal to facilitate climbing. The interior of the cage should contain lots of toys and a closed exercise wheel (so the glider's tail doesn't get caught). Branches, ropes, and ladders will also provide opportunities for climbing, play, and exercise. Place a nest box near the top of the enclosure as a spot where your glider can go to feel safe and sleep.
The latch on the cage door should be secure, as gliders are clever and have been known to learn how to open simple latches. Line the bottom of the cage with aspen or fir shavings. Avoid cedar shavings, which have a strong scent that can cause respiratory irritation in small animals. Replace the shavings and clean surfaces and toys in the cage with soap and water at least once a week. Most illnesses that affect Sugar gliders are due to unsanitary living conditions.
Keep the cage away from direct sunlight and drafts and maintain a room temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Sugar gliders have fairly strict dietary requirements.
For pet Sugar gliders, variations of the homemade Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater (BML) diet are very popular. Honey, calcium powder, and baby cereal are often used in these recipes to provide proper nutrition to your glider. Fresh fruits and vegetables should also be offered on a nightly basis. Many owners put out meals in small food bowls in the morning and at night. But some Sugar gliders tend to graze, rather than eat a full meal at once. So don't be concerned if you see some food leftover, but do discard leftovers prior to the next meal to prevent them from spoiling.
Consult your veterinarian on the best quantity to feed your glider, as this can vary based on age, size, and activity level. And always keep a water dish or bottle in the cage, which should be refreshed at least daily.
