Sugar Gliders as Pets .

Sugar glider have become a popular exotic pet. They are small and relatively easy to care for, and have a cute if not unusual appearance. As any other exotic pet , a potential owner should be aware of their care requirements and personality before acquiring a sugar glider. Sugar glider are illegal in some places so you will need to check the laws where your live.

Sugar gliders can be found all throughout the northern and eastern parts of mainland Australia, as well as the surrounding islands of Tasmania, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. They can be found in any forest where there is food supply but are commonly found in forests with eucalyptus trees. They are nocturnal, meaning they sleep in their nests during the day and are active at night. At night, they hunt for insects and small vertebrates and feed on the sweet sap of certain species of eucalyptus, acacia and gum trees.The sugar glider is named for its preference for nectarous foods and its ability to glide through the air, much like a flying squirrel.

A sugar glider has a squirrel-like body with a long partially prehensile tail. The males are larger than the females, and their length from nose to tip of tail is about 24 to 30 cm (12–13 inches, the body itself is approx. 5–6 inches). A sugar glider has a thick, soft fur coat that is usually blue-grey; some have been known to be yellow, tan, or albino. A black stripe is seen from its nose to midway of its back. Its belly, throat, and chest is a cream color.

It has five digits on each foot, each having a claw, except for the opposable toe on the hindfeet. Also on the hindfeet, the second and third digits are partially syndactylous (fused) together to form a grooming comb. Its most striking feature is the patagium, or membrane, that extends from the fifth finger to the first toe. When legs are stretched out, this membrane allows it to glide distances of 50–150 meters. This gliding is regulated by changing the curvature of the membrane or moving the legs and tail.

Like many exotic animals, the sugar glider can suffer from calcium deficiencies if it is not fed an adequate diet. Calcium to phosphorusratios should be 2:1 to prevent hypocalcemia, sometimes known as hind leg paralysis.

In the wild , gliders live off gum and sap , acacia trees , nectar and pollen , manna and honeydew and a wide variety of insects and arachnids. A captive glider's diet should be 50% insects (gut-loaded) or other sources of protein, 25% fruit and 25% vegetables.

This is all about sugar glider , thank you .

Nik Noorhamna Bt. Azizee , 5 Jujur .