The nomenclature name for a sugar glider is Petarus breviceps. Petarus means springboard, and breviceps means short head. An adult sugar glider measures about 5-6 inches with a tail that is the same length. Sugar gliders are grey with a cream colored underside. A black stripe runs the full length of the back in line with the spine. It extends up and over the top of the head, terminating between the eyes. Sugar gliders also have a black tip on their tail. The ears are fairly large and are constantly in motion. They move independently of one another to pick up the smallest sounds. The eyes are large and protruding. They are set on the side of the face to allow for a wider field of vision. Sugar gliders have 5 digits on each foot. Each digit ends in a sharp, scimitar shaped claw. The claw is used for gripping during landing impact, and to assist them in climbing through the trees. The hind feet also have 5 digits, including an enlarged, clawless, opposable big toe. The second and third toe of the hind feet are partially fused together to form a grooming comb. Sugar gliders have a furred membrane of skin, called a patagium. The patagium stretches from the wrists to the ankles. When at rest, the patagium looks like a wrinkled border along the sugar gliders sides. When gliding, the skin is spread out to form a rectangle, making a kite. The tail of a sugar glider is semi-prehensile. It is not used for grasping, but it is used to wrap around nesting material to carry up to the nest. It is also used for balancing and stabilizing during a glide. The tail is also used as a rudder to control the direction of flight. Marsupial brains and skulls have many reptilian characteristics. The marsupial pelvises are different from placental mammals in that there are usually two bones. These bones are called the epipubic bones. The epipubic bones branch off the pelvis like a pair of abdominal ribs. Marsupials have more teeth than placental mammals. Sugar gliders only have 2 lower incisors that are large and forward pointing. Sugar gliders have a body temperature of 89 F. Their body weight weighs between 4.0-5.5 ounces. Males average about 5 ounces, and females average between 3.35 – 4.8 ounces. Sugar gliders are capable of recognizing people that handle them regularly, which indicates they have a memory. They can be trained to swoop down from a perch to a shoulder on command, which also indicates intelligence. Sugar gliders also express affection, displeasure when frightened or unhappy. Definitions | Conversions | WebCam | Search | Guest Book | Forum | Calendar
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