Sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
| Taxonomy | Physical Characteristics |
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Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia — mammals Order: Diprotodontia — koala, wombats, possums and gliders, kangaroos, wallabies Family: Petauridae — lesser gliders, striped possum, Leadbeater’s possum Genus: Petaurus — lesser gliders Species: Petaurus breviceps* — sugar glider Subspecies: *Note: May be several species. Additional research needed. |
Body Weight Head-body Length Tail Length Pelage |
| Distribution & Status | Behavior & Ecology |
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Range Habitat IUCN Status CITES Appendix Other Designations Populations in the Wild |
Locomotion Activity Cycle Social Groups Diet Predators |
| Reproduction & Development | Species Highlights |
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Sexual Maturity Mating System Gestation Litter Size Interbirth Interval Birth Weight Typical Life Expectancy |
Feature Facts
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© 2019 San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
How to cite: Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) Fact Sheet. c2019. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; [accessed YYYY Mmm dd]. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ sugarglider.
(note: replace YYYY Mmm dd with date accessed, e.g., 2018 Dec 31)
Disclaimer: Although San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every attempt to provide accurate information, some of the facts provided may become outdated or replaced by new research findings. Questions and comments may be addressed to library@sdzwa.org.
Many thanks to Dr. Ross Goldingay for providing expert content review of this fact sheet.
Dr. Goldingay, Associate Professor in the School of Environment, Science, and Engineering at Southern Cross University, Lismore, is a wildlife ecologist who has extensively studied the biology of gliding mammals. In his early research, he conducted experiments that revealed sugar gliders to be important pollinators. He has also conducted research on glider habitat use, population ecology and genetics, communication, parental care, physiology, and locomotion.
Much of Dr. Goldingay’s research relates to the protection of threated species. He has conducted numerous studies to assess the impacts of habitat loss on wildlife behavior and population health. He has led longer-term studies to evaluate whether gliders use artificial nest boxes (as substitute tree hollows), as well as whether the installation of wooden poles and rope bridges enables gliders to safely cross roads. To learn more about Dr. Goldingay, view his research profile and publications.
In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Goldingay is editor of Australian Mammalogy, the journal of the Australian Mammal Society.
Thank you to Dr. Stephen Jackson for providing helpful suggestions for the taxonomy content of this fact sheet.
Dr. Jackson is an internationally recognized scientist, who has made seminal contributions to the field of Australian mammalogy. He is the author of nrenowned books, including Gliding Mammals of the World, Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management, and Taxonomy of Australian Mammals.
Thank you to Alyssa Warren for providing expert content review of the Husbandry section of this fact sheet.
As an animal handler at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Ms. Warren gives Park visitors engaging, close encounters with wildlife. Prior to working at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Ms. Warren worked as a marine mammal trainer.
