Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

MammalMarsupialGliding

Overview

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small, nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial of Australia and New Guinea, famous for its ability to glide between trees. A stretchy membrane of skin called the patagium runs from its wrists to its ankles; when the glider leaps and spreads its limbs, this membrane turns it into a living parachute that can carry it long distances through the canopy. Large eyes, a long bushy tail, and a dark dorsal stripe complete its distinctive look.

Sugar gliders are highly social and live in family groups, communicating with a range of calls and scents.

Note: sugar gliders are sometimes kept as exotic pets, which is restricted or regulated in many places and demands very specialised care; this profile focuses on the wild animal. Verify status and local laws with authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Sugar gliders live in forests and woodlands across parts of mainland Australia and New Guinea (and nearby islands), favouring areas with trees that provide both food and nesting hollows. They den in leaf-lined tree hollows, often shared by a social group.

Diet

Sugar gliders are omnivores with a sweet tooth that gives them their name. They feed on sap and gum from trees (such as acacia and eucalyptus), nectar and pollen, and a great many insects and other small invertebrates, especially when protein demand is high. Their diet shifts with the seasons and what each forest offers.

Behavior

Sugar gliders are nocturnal and social, typically living in groups that share a nest and defend a territory, scent-marked by dominant males. They glide from tree to tree to travel and forage efficiently, steering with their limbs and tail and landing with a controlled swoop. In cold weather or food shortages, they can enter short bouts of torpor to save energy, huddling together for warmth.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Wild sugar gliders depend on forests with suitable hollows, so logging and land clearing can reduce their habitat. They are also widely traded as exotic pets — something that is illegal or restricted in many regions and requires expert, species-appropriate care to meet their social and dietary needs. The wild species is generally widespread. Consult authoritative sources and local regulations.

More photos of the sugar glider