Sugar Glider Flashcards
What is the conservation status of the sugar glider?
Least concern.
What class of animals does the sugar glider belong to?
Marsupials.
Where does the “sugar” part of the sugar glider’s name come from?
They enjoy many sugary and nectar-heavy foods.
What has caused the sugar glider to be similar in appearance and habits to the flying squirrel?
Convergent evolution.
What does the Latin name of the sugar glider mean?
Short headed rope dancer.
What is the range and habitat of the sugar glider?
Northern and westen Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania in forests.
What trees do sugar gliders eat the sap from?
Eucalyptus, gum, and acacia.
What do sugar gliders eat besides sap?
Insects, fruits, eggs, fungi, and some nectars.
What are some predators of the sugar glider?
Snakes, goannas, owls, cats, quolls, and kookaburras.
Is the prehensile tail of the sugar glider strong?
No.
How long do sugar gliders get?
1 foot
What two things allow the sugar glider to hunt at night?
They have large eyes and sensitive, swiveling ears.
Why does the sugar glider have a syndactylous toe?
It is used like a comb for grooming.
How many scent glands does the sugar glider have?
Four.
How many times does the heart of a sugar glider beat per second?
Five.
What is the wild and captive lifespan of a sugar glider?
Wild: 9 years.
Captivity: 17 years.
How far can a sugar glider glide in one leap?
160 feet
How do sugar gliders steer their flight?
By moving the membranes and tail.
Why do sugar gliders glide?
To reach food and avoid predators.
Why has it been deduced that sugar gliders were introduced to Tasmania?
There is no fossil record of their ancestors and the natives of Tasmania do not have a word for the sugar glider.
When do sugar gliders reduce their activity?
During the cold season, rainy nights, and drought.
Why do sugar gliders go into torpor in hard times?
They need to save energy because they have an extremely high metabolic rate when they are active. They cannot afford to waste it when there is not much food.
What happens during torpor?
Body temperature drops and metabolic activity decreases.
How old are sugar gliders when they are sexually mature?
1 year.
