Sugar gliders Flashcards
The metabolic rate of sugar gliders is approximately __ that of comparably sized eutherian mammals.
A) 1/3
B) 3/4
C) 2/3
C) 2/3
What 2 characteristics found in other marsupials, are absent in sugar gliders?
Epipubic bones
Embryonic diapause or postpartum estrus (no evidence anyways)
What is the most common litter size for sugar gliders?
1-2, up to 4 possible
What is the gestation length of sugar gliders?
15-17 days
At what age can joeys regulate their body temperature?
About 110 days
At what point do joeys detach from the teat and first emerge from the pouch?
Day 50-60
AT what age do sugar gliders wean and remain out of the pouch?
120-130 days
What organism has been implicated in illness in joeys causing diarrhea and a sticky exudate over the body?
Simplicimonas sp. (“ick”)
How is sugar glider “ick” treated?
Treat all adults in colony with metronidazole benzoate 25 mg/kg PO x14 days
What is the prognosis for hand rearing unfurred joeys? Furred joeys?
Poor to grave; Good w/proper care
What happens to the composition of sugar glider milk as joeys age?
Increases in lipids and solids as energy needs increase
What is the average food consumption (% of BW)/day for sugar gliders?
15-20%
How prevalent is primary respiratory disease in marsupials?
Rare
What is the most common cause of hind limb paresis/paralysis in sugar gliders?
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
How do sugar gliders cool themselves?
Sprawling w/limbs extended and patagium exposed, spread saliva on their forelimbs (they do not sweat)
