While they share some similarities in appearance and lifestyle (like being arboreal and gliding), they are actually marsupials. This means they are more closely related to kangaroos, koalas, and wombats than squirrels.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
* Squirrels are rodents, while sugar gliders are marsupials.
* Squirrels have a placenta to nourish their young during gestation, while sugar gliders have a pouch to carry their young after birth.
* Squirrels are found worldwide, while sugar gliders are native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
* Squirrels have a bushy tail, while sugar gliders have a thin, long tail that helps them balance and steer during gliding.
So, although they may look similar, sugar gliders and squirrels are very different animals.