5 Fun Facts About Sugar Gliders, Small Marsupials That Glide

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Known for their adorable appearance and unusual ability to glide, these small marsupials have attracted many pet enthusiasts. Here are five fun facts about these fascinating animals, from their special membrane to their surprising behavior taken from various sources.

1. Their Name Has Two Meanings

Their name combines their preference for sweet foods with their remarkable ability to glide through air between trees. Sugar gliders are known in Indonesia as wupih sirsik or gliding possums, found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

2. They Glide, Rather Than Fly

Their special patagium membrane stretches between their front and hind legs, allowing sugar gliders to glide between trees. Calling them flying animals is inaccurate because their movement through the air is actually gliding.

3. They Can Glide Up to 45 Meters

Sugar gliders can glide up to 45 meters, demonstrating impressive movement through their natural forest habitats. They have been observed leaping toward and catching moths in flight, showing impressive agility while searching for food.

4. They Live in Large Colonies

Sugar gliders are highly social animals that can live together in colonies containing approximately 20 to 40 individuals. Young gliders leave their groups around ten months old before establishing or joining their own colonies.

5. They Sound Like Dogs When Angry

When sugar gliders are angry, they lean backward and produce chattering sounds resembling a small, yapping dog. If the warning fails, they can strike with full force, showing their surprisingly defensive behavior when threatened.

For those considering sugar gliders as pets, their cages should be kept away from direct sunlight because they are nocturnal animals. Providing proper food, regular cleaning, bathing, and interaction requires commitment, time, and responsibility from their owners.