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ANIMAL SPECIES:Sugar Glider

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The Sugar Glider has a membrane extending from its fifth finger to its ankle enabling it to glide up to 50 m between trees.

Identification

In flight, the Sugar Glider it uses its long bushy tail for stability and steering.

Size range

16 cm - 21 cm

Distribution

The Sugar Glider is found in northern and eastern Australia, including northern Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and south-eastern South Australia.

Habitat

The Sugar Glider lives in forests and woodlands.

Behaviour and adaptations

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Sugar Glider is most active at night, sleeping by day in nests made of leaves in tree hollows. Groups of up to seven adults and their young may form a 'clan' and share a nest. Among their own clan they are playful and social but will defend their territory aggressively and noisily if threatened by other animals or approached by Sugar Gliders from a different clan. Dominant males mark other clan members and the territory around the nest with secretions from scent glands on their chest.

Life cycle

The Sugar Glider commonly gives birth to twins, which remain in the pouch for just over two months. They then leave the nest to forage for food, usually with their mother.

Classification

Species:
breviceps
Genus:
Petaurus
Family:
Petauridae
Order:
Diprotodontia
Subclass:
Marsupialia
Class:
Mammalia
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Last Updated: 13 May 2009

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Sugar Glider sitting on branch

Sugar Glider sitting on branch View full size
© Pavel German

Sugar Glider sitting in tree

Sugar Glider sitting in tree View full size
© Pavel German

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