Predators of the Sugar Glider

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a marsupial that makes its home in trees. It's native to Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. It has a thin membrane stretched between its front and hind legs that it can open like a wing. With this membrane, the animal can glide from tree to tree through the forest, leaping up to 165 feet at a time. It's a nocturnal animal that lives in small groups in the rain forest. Adult individuals usually reach around 8 inches in length. While the sugar glider is an omnivore, eating insects and larvae as well as sap from the eucalyptus tree, it is itself a frequent prey animal for several different predators.

  1. Owls

    • Australia is home to at least nine major species of owl. Among these principal predators of the sugar glider include the Masked Owl (Tyto navaehollandiae) and the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua). The Masked Owl lives in eucalyptus forests in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. The Powerful Owl, also known as the Eagle Owl, is the largest owl in Australia. The sugar glider's ability to glide long distances through the forest canopy is of little use against this avian predator.

    Kookaburras

    • Another avian predator of sugar gliders is the Kookaburra. The Kookaburra is the largest of the kingfishers, and it's known for its laugh-like call. It will often wait on a perch while hunting to snag its prey from the ground or in the air. As well as sugar gliders, it will eat mice, snakes and lizards.

    Quolls

    • A quoll is a type of ground-living marsupial, at its biggest about 30 inches in length. It looks similar to a possum, although some variants have a spotted coat. It's a carnivore, and in addition to sugar gliders, it preys on snakes, lizards and small mammals. Although primarily a ground dweller, it is agile enough to climb trees.

    Non-native Predators

    • Sugar gliders are also vulnerable to animals introduced to Australia. These include domestic dogs and cats as well as foxes. Humans could also be considered a threat to sugar gliders due to the destruction of their forest habitat. Sugar gliders are also often caught to be sold as pets or shipped overseas for the exotic pet trade.