What Is a Sugar Glider?
Sugar gliders are marvelous little pets that do not take up much space and are relatively easy to care for. They are not rodents as some mistakenly think, but rather marsupials from the same family as Kangaroos and Kola Bears. They are indigenous to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea and in the wild live in tight-knit, loving colonies. This is the aspect that makes them such wonderful household pets because the bond so completely with their new ‘colony’you and your family.
One of the most unique aspects of this curious little bundle of love, and where part of their name comes from, is the membrane of fur-covered skin that stretches from front to rear ankle on both sides of their bodies. This membrane flares out when they spread their arms and legs giving them a parachute type wingspan allowing them to glide from one place to another.
Sugar gliders have been known to be able to glide as much as 50 feet! They don’t fly like a bird by flapping ‘wings’, they simply spread their legs and let their ’sails’ carry them. It is exciting to play with your sugar glider as they jump and play and ‘glide’ about your house. You will find that they easily learn to recognize their name and come when called, and when they ‘come’ it will usually be with a great leap as they float across the room to you.
The ’sugar’ part of their name comes from their great love of sweets. Like many of us, sugar gliders have a real sweet tooth. Most of their sugar comes from the fruits and vegetables they so love to eat and that are such a vital part of their daily diet. Another interesting aspect of this delightful little pocket pet is that they have ‘hands’ rather than paws. They’re fingers work to hold food and other items much like our own complete with opposable thumbs for grasping. They are truly delightful and amazing pets that give their owners years of pleasure and enjoyment.
