The Sugar Glider (Petaurus Breviceps) is a small arboreal gliding possum. Sugar gliders originally come from Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and Indonesia.

It is said the first Sugar Gliders arrived in the United States sometime around 1990.

Sugar Gliders have not been imported from Australia for many years, most of the Sugar Gliders we have that are being bred and sold here in the United States, have actually been imported from Indonesia.

Sugar Gliders are Nocturnal. They sleep all day and are up once the sun goes down on and off all night.

Sugar Gliders are very social animals and in the wild they live in colonies of 7-9 per nest.

In captivity it is recommended to have at least a pair living together in a cage. This does not mean that if you only have one it will die, however, if you only have one, much more attention and time will need to be given so your Sugar Glider does not become lonely or depressed.

As with most animal species, the males are often larger than the females. The average weight for a male can range between 115g-160g. The average weight for a female can range between 100g-135g.

A Sugar Glider is often between 5-7 inches in length from head and body with the tail measuring about the same length as the body.

A Sugar Gliders lifespan in captivity is averaged between 7-12 years with some Sugar Gliders living to a ripe age of 15.

Sugar Gliders are also very territorial. Sugar Gliders have scent glands in which they mark their territory and each other. The males scent glands can be seen on the top of the males head, which will resemble a balding area. This in fact is not balding but the the fur is covered by an oil. The other noticeable area is located on the chest. They also mark their territory with their saliva. It is very possible if introducing another Sugar Glider into an established colony or pair, a fight may occur, sometimes resulting in death.

Sugar Gliders also have a gliding membrane, called a patagium, which is located from the fifth finger to the first toe. During a glide the Sugar Glider expands its patagium and it is guided by the use of the tail. When coming in for a landing, it parachutes itself and often has a hard impact when landing.

The Sounds of a Sugar Glider

Crabbing

Sugar Gliders have a range of different sounds. The most common one that you may hear folks talking about is the Sugar Glider Crabbing noise. This noise is often heard when a Sugar Glider is agitated, scared, angry, or just trying to scare you off. It is the noise that most make right before they decide to bite (if they are feeling scared or threatened). There are other gliders that will 'crab' simply because they are vocal.

Clicking

Another noise is clicking. This noise can be heard when a Sugar Glider is content and feels completely safe in its surroundings. (This clicking should not be confused with the popping sound on would hear if a glider had pneumonia or an upper respiratory infection. This information can be located under the Health Issues page.)

Hissing

There is also a hissing sound. This can be heard when a Sugar Glider is calling out for its cage mate, or even for you. Often times you will hear a hissing sound coming from your new joey if they are the only one in a cage. (Other times you may hear this is if a Sugar glider has a urinary tract infection or constipation. This information can be found on the Health Issues Page)

Barking

Don't be surprised if you are sitting there and hear a Barking sound coming from the direction of your Sugar Glider cage. As Sugar Gliders also bark. They sound much like a small Chihuahua. This is normally done when they are 'sounding an alarm' for other Sugar Gliders. I have personally also seen this behavior when a father notices their young venturing out of the pouch for the first couple times. They also bark to locate or call out to other Sugar Gliders.

Chirping

You will also hear your Sugar Glider chirp when given something to eat that they just absolutely love! When you hear this sound, you will know it is nothing but pure happiness.