Sugar gliders are palm-size possums that can glide half the length of a soccer pitch in one trip. These common, tree-dwelling marsupials are native to tropical and cool-temperate forests in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
These gliders’ “wings” are made from a thin skin stretched between the fifth forefinger and back ankle, and they use their bushy tails as rudders as they soar through the air.
The sugar glider inhabits Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and the nearby islands. These Gliders were introduced to Tasmania in the first third of the 19th century, and they quickly spread throughout south-eastern Australia.
Sugar gliders living in Tasmania today are descended from these early introduced populations. That means these gliders are mostly found in the Australian continent.
What Are Sugar Gliders?
Sugar Gliders are small gliding possums with long thin tails and large dark eyes. They have a pointed muzzle, and they can glide from tree to tree when they want to travel. Sugar gliders are very handsome animals; their fur is dense and soft, usually gray or brown.
These gliders’ belly fur has two distinct white stripes. In addition, the dense coat on the back of their necks forms a mane-like crest that runs down their backs. This crest is thicker in males than females.
If you look closely, you will find that the sugar glider’s ears join above the nose at the base and open separately like a V-shape; not rounded like other possums.
These marsupials live together in family groups, a mother and a father with their young. The young sugar glider first leaves the pouch at around four months old. Then, at about 7 to 8 months old, the joey starts to glide out of the nest from tree to tree at night.
Origin Of Sugar Gliders
It is unknown from where Sugar gliders were originated. However, Sugar gliders have made the journey onboard ships with European settlers in the early 1800s.
The first recorded sighting of a Sugar Glider was in 1798 by Europeans living in Australia. Sugar gliders were introduced to Tasmania in the 1830s and these animals may have been transported there by a visiting sailor for an exotic pet.
Distribution Of Sugar Gliders
The sugar glider is not endemic to any continent. These Gliders belong to the marsupial group, which is different from what most people would think. The squirrel glider (Petaurus breviceps) and the lesser glider (Petaurus sciureus) are also part of this group.
Sugar gliders are native to Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, Indonesia, and southeastern Asia. The squirrel glider is found only in Australia, while you can find lesser gliders throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea.
These marsupials have adapted themselves to living anywhere from rainforests to deserts. They live in various habitats, such as rainforests, mangroves, and arid areas; you can find near human habitations.
Habitats Of Sugar Glider
Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, retiring animals. During the day, these small marsupials sleep in tree hollows or dense foliage. Sugar gliders are very social creatures, and they live together in family groups.
These gliders live in rainforest habitats like sugar maple, black walnut, and longleaf pine trees, where they can easily glide from branch to branch. That covers great ranges without touching the ground. In addition, their small size enables them to make their way through the treetops by leaping from branch to branch. That also helps them to protect themselves against predators.
These tiny marsupials are native to tropical and cool-temperate forests in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
In Which Continent Sugar Gliders Mostly Found?
Sugar gliders are mostly found in the Australian continent, but these marsupials can also be found in eastern Papua New Guinea. The Sugar glider shares its Australian habitat with other small marsupials like feathertail gliders, yellow-bellied gliders, mahogany gliders, squirrel gliders, and broad-toed tree rats.
Can Sugar Gliders Be Kept As Pets On The Australian Continent?
Sugar gliders are becoming increasingly popular Australian pets. These possums are gentle and curious by nature. But they don’t like to be handled because of their nocturnal lifestyle.
These gliders are also nocturnal animals, which means they’re active only at night. As a result, that can be inconvenient for owners who work during the day.
Is It Legal To Purchase A Sugar Glider On The Continent Of Australia?
It is legal to purchase a sugar glider in most states of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales. However, you should always check with your local council about whether owning one is allowed where you live.
Are Sugar Gliders Endangered Animals To The Australian Continent?
No, sugar gliders aren’t classified as endangered animals yet, increasing the population. They are common in Queensland and New South Wales and are found wherever eucalypts grow.
However, Sugar gliders like savanna gliders have decreased due to the destruction of natural habitats across Australia. Because of this, sugar gliders are now listed as vulnerable animals by the IUCN.
When kept in captivity, sugar gliders need a large cage with plenty of room to move around. And offer climbing opportunities or other amenities like heat pads, hiding places, and sleeping platforms.
You should not handle them too much because it will stress them out. But they’ll sleep the majority of the time so you won’t have to worry about them wandering around all day long.
Can Sugar Gliders Be Found On Another Continent?
Yes, you can find sugar gliders in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, where they live within rainforests at elevations below 1000 meters above sea level. They also like to stay close to bodies of fresh water like rivers and streams.
Although they spend much of their time in trees, they build nests from what’s readily available- including leaves and sticks. Sugar gliders also live communally, but only a few will mate or give birth at a time because of the size of their pouch.
Why You Don’t Find Sugar Gliders On Another Continent?
Sugar Gliders are found in large parts of the continent Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and the nearby islands.
Sugar gliders are a common sight across mainland Australia and Tasmania, but they’re not nearly as prevalent in other parts of the continent. This is because sugar gliders have been introduced to areas outside Australia. That includes New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan.
These countries could spread disease if they began living alongside native animals, so it’s illegal to own them there.
FAQS
Do Sugar Gliders Live In Asia?
No, sugar gliders do not live in Asian Habitat; these possums are mostly found in the Australian continent. However, people around the world are keeping sugar gliders as exotic pets.
Do Sugar Gliders Live In Europe?
No, sugar gliders do not live in the European continent; these possums are mostly found in the Australian continent. However, sugar gliders are becoming increasingly popular as exotic pets worldwide.
Are sugar gliders in Africa?
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent with over 50 countries. It is only natural that people would imagine sugar gliders in Africa since Australia has some exciting marsupials like kangaroos and Tasmanian devils, and North America has opossums. However, sugar gliders are not found in Africa.
Conclusion
Sugar gliders are home to the continent of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. So it will be easier to see the sugar gliders in the continent, and Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have a high possibility of keeping them as pets.
So now you know better about continents you can find Sugar Gliders with their kind of habitat and where people keep them as pets.