Sugar Glider Flashcards

1
Q

What is the conservation status of the sugar glider?

A

Least concern.

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2
Q

What class of animals does the sugar glider belong to?

A

Marsupials.

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3
Q

Where does the “sugar” part of the sugar glider’s name come from?

A

They enjoy many sugary and nectar-heavy foods.

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4
Q

What has caused the sugar glider to be similar in appearance and habits to the flying squirrel?

A

Convergent evolution.

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5
Q

What does the Latin name of the sugar glider mean?

A

Short headed rope dancer.

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6
Q

What is the range and habitat of the sugar glider?

A

Northern and westen Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania in forests.

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7
Q

What trees do sugar gliders eat the sap from?

A

Eucalyptus, gum, and acacia.

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8
Q

What do sugar gliders eat besides sap?

A

Insects, fruits, eggs, fungi, and some nectars.

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9
Q

What are some predators of the sugar glider?

A

Snakes, goannas, owls, cats, quolls, and kookaburras.

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10
Q

Is the prehensile tail of the sugar glider strong?

A

No.

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11
Q

How long do sugar gliders get?

A

1 foot

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12
Q

What two things allow the sugar glider to hunt at night?

A

They have large eyes and sensitive, swiveling ears.

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13
Q

Why does the sugar glider have a syndactylous toe?

A

It is used like a comb for grooming.

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14
Q

How many scent glands does the sugar glider have?

A

Four.

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15
Q

How many times does the heart of a sugar glider beat per second?

A

Five.

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16
Q

What is the wild and captive lifespan of a sugar glider?

A

Wild: 9 years.
Captivity: 17 years.

17
Q

How far can a sugar glider glide in one leap?

A

160 feet

18
Q

How do sugar gliders steer their flight?

A

By moving the membranes and tail.

19
Q

Why do sugar gliders glide?

A

To reach food and avoid predators.

20
Q

Why has it been deduced that sugar gliders were introduced to Tasmania?

A

There is no fossil record of their ancestors and the natives of Tasmania do not have a word for the sugar glider.

21
Q

When do sugar gliders reduce their activity?

A

During the cold season, rainy nights, and drought.

22
Q

Why do sugar gliders go into torpor in hard times?

A

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.

23
Q

What happens during torpor?

A

Body temperature drops and metabolic activity decreases.

24
Q

How old are sugar gliders when they are sexually mature?

A

1 year.

25
Q

How many times a year does the sugar glider breed?

A

Once or twice. They can breed more in captivity.

26
Q

Why can joeys climb into their mothers pouch?

A

They are born with cartilage in their shoulders that breaks down soon after.

27
Q

How many joeys does the sugar glider have?

A

One or two.

28
Q

Are sugar gliders social?

A

Yes, they live in small groups and engage in social grooming.

29
Q

How do sugar gliders know which ones are not part of the colony?

A

The dominant male will mark the members of his colony and any gliders that do not have the scent are cast out.

30
Q

What is the central conservation law in Australia?

A

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. (EPBC)`

31
Q

What are the goals of the EPBC act?

A

To promote the recovery of native species and biological communities.

32
Q

What is the largest problem that affects captive sugar gliders?

A

Calcium deficiencies.

33
Q

True or false? All states allow you to keep sugar gliders as pets.

A

False. It is illegal in Hawaii, Alaska, and California. Some others require a permit.

34
Q

True or false? The sugar glider is one of the most common illegal pets.

A

True.