Growth of Baby Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are small marsupials commonly kept as pets throughout the world. They are nocturnal animals native to parts of Australia and New Guinea. Sugar gliders are not an endangered species like their similar-in-appearance counterpart, the mahogany glider.

  1. Baby Growth

    • Sixteen days after conception, an underdeveloped baby sugar glider is born and climbs into its mother's pouch, it will remain there for 60 to 72 days to develop. After that period, the young can move about and nurse at will. Their eyes are still closed and they are very dependent on their mother for protection, shelter, food and comfort. Five weeks after emerging from their mother's pouch, sugar glider babies can run, climb, jump and even glide.

    What They Eat

    • Sugar gliders eat insects, fruit, acacia gum, eucalyptus sap and, at times, even their own young. They should not eat candy, soda pop, chewing gum or people's leftover food.

    Misconception

    • Undue to popular belief, sugar gliders do not have the ability to fly. They glide through the air with the use of skin membranes located on the sides of their bodies; these membranes connect their fore and hind limbs together allowing them to glide from tree to tree.

    Good Pets

    • As long as they are handled gently and not startled, most sugar gliders make good pets that usually won't bite. If provoked, though, they can inflict a nasty wound.

    Health Concerns

    • Sugar gliders are rather hardy but can develop illnesses and die. If hair loss, decreased appetite, lumpy head, dull coat, lack of sleeping, lethargy, abscesses, little to no water intake or other unusual symptoms occur, it is time to see the vet.