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Sugar glider

Petaurus breviceps

Mammals › Kangaroos, wallabies, possums (Diprotodontia) › Petauridae (Sugar gliders and possums)

Sugar gliders are social, nocturnal marsupials that can glide up to 50 m. They need tall aviary-style cages, company and daily interaction.

Pet trade

Experience: Intermediate

Sugar glider — Photo: patrickkavanagh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: patrickkavanagh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–14 years

SocialPairs or colonies

ActiveNight

DietInsects, nectar, produce

Care at a glance

Species-specific values

Values researched for this exact species. Where they differ from the group guide below, follow these. Air, surface and water temperatures are listed separately, and each source is kept as published rather than averaged.

Enclosure minimum	length: 36 in; width: 24 in; height: 36 in Scale above minimum for group size	134
Bar spacing maximum	0.5 in	134
Lifespan captive reported	4–15 years	134
Air temperature	80–88 °F Preferred room recommendation; retain tolerance separately	295
Air temperature tolerance	60–90 °F Tolerance is not a target range	295
Social	Compatible pairs or groups; avoid unintended breeding.	295

Care guide

Housing

Tall wire aviary-type cage with small mesh, kept indoors. Go as big as you can: a large walk-in flight (around 2×2×2 m) is ideal, well beyond the common 36×24×36 in minimum.

Sources 56

Diet

About 50–60% insects or an insectivore diet and 40–50% mixed vegetables, with only small amounts of fruit.

Sources 56

Social needs

At least 2 hours a day of interactive contact is recommended.

Sources 56

Show the group care guide for sugar gliders

Group care guide

Sugar gliders

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Australian and New Guinean forests. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

No single captive diet has been proven ideal; use a complete plan with veterinary review rather than swapping isolated ingredients.

Housing & setup

For pet sugar gliders, MSD recommends at least 36×24×36 inches, narrow bar spacing, climbing branches and high sleeping refuges.

Sources 134 56

Diet

Carefully balanced diets of nectar or gum sources, protein (insects, egg) and produce, with calcium.

Sources 134 56

Social life

Must be kept in pairs or groups.

Sources 134 56

Health watch

Metabolic bone disease and stress-related self-mutilation when kept alone.

Sources 134 56

Understanding the animal

In the wild

Researched for this exact species, not its family. Good care copies these conditions.¹²³⁴

Where it lives	Forests and woodlands east of Australia’s Great Dividing Range under the current species definition, which excludes savanna and Krefft’s gliders. Sleeps in leaf-lined tree hollows.
Ground it lives on	arboreal; trunks, branches and tree hollows
Climate	The supplied sources state that sugar gliders occur as far south as southern Australia and are able to cope with cold conditions, but they provide no specific temperatures in F, humidity values or seasonal climate ranges.
Active	Nocturnal.
Social life	Nest-sharing clans of up to seven adults plus young; territorial toward outsiders.
Wild diet	Coastal woodland field observations document banksia and eucalypt nectar and pollen, and sap obtained by incising Eucalyptus gummifera.
Behavior to plan for	Glides between trees and uses its tail to steer. Nest mates share shelter, but unfamiliar gliders may provoke vigorous defense.

What this means for care

Provide tall climbing routes and enclosed sleeping nests.
Maintain compatible companions with careful introductions.
Use a balanced glider diet accounting for flower and exudate feeding; fruit alone does not represent the documented diet.

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 80°F (up to 84°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 43°F (down to 37°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	58–65°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	69–72% on average (driest month about 65%)
Rainfall	about 1143 mm a year, spread fairly evenly

Measured at 130 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

Profile

Researched for this exact species. Sources are listed under In the wild above.

History

The genus Petaurus is believed to have originated in New Guinea roughly 18 to 24 million years ago, with ancestors dispersing into Australia millions of years later. The taxonomy of Petaurus breviceps remains complex and incompletely resolved, and populations once grouped under this name have been reassessed.

Keeper tips

Provide substantial elevated structure because sugar gliders are arboreal.
Allow room for movement that accommodates the gliding membrane extending between the forelimbs and hindlimbs.
Provide elevated nesting opportunities consistent with their natural use of tree branches.
Expect most natural activity during the night.
Do not infer a complete captive diet from the mention of sap and nectar; the source also identifies the species as omnivorous.

Behaviors reported

Glides through the air using patagia extending from the forelegs to the hindlegs.
Uses gliding to reach food and evade predators.
Builds nests in eucalyptus trees.
Is nocturnal.

Unique adaptations

Paired gliding membranes, or patagia, allow controlled movement through the canopy.
Its pale grey to light brown fur is countershaded, with a lighter underside.
Its gliding lifestyle closely resembles that of flying squirrels despite the groups not being closely related, an example of convergent evolution.
Females possess a well-developed marsupial pouch.

Remarkable facts

The scientific name Petaurus breviceps has been translated as 'short-headed rope-dancer,' referring to its canopy acrobatics.
Average mass is given as about 110 g.
Captive sugar gliders have been reported to live up to 14 years.
Females reach sexual maturity late in their first year, while males mature early in their second year.
Gestation is reported to last about 16 days, with typical litters of one or two young.

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small, omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possum. The common name refers to its predilection for sugary foods such as sap and nectar and its ability to glide through the air, much like a flying squirrel. They have very similar habits and appearance to the flying squirrel, despite not being closely related—an example of convergent evolution. The scientific name, Petaurus breviceps, translates from Latin as "short-headed rope-dancer", a reference to their canopy acrobatics. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Sugar gliders can live in forests of all types, given that there is an adequate food supply. — Animal Diversity Web
Wild diet	Sugar gliders are omnivorous. — Animal Diversity Web
Behavior	Sugar gliders are extremely active animals that can glide up to 45 meters. — Animal Diversity Web
Reproduction	Sugar gliders held in captivity have been found to live up to 14 years. — Animal Diversity Web
Appearance and size	The sugar glider is a relatively small marsupial; its head and body are approximately 120-320mm long and the tail has a length of 150-480mm. — Animal Diversity Web
History and naming	The genus Petaurus is believed to have originated in New Guinea during the mid Miocene epoch, approximately 18 to 24 million years ago. The modern Australian Petaurus, along with New Guinean members of what were formerly considered P. breviceps, diverged from their closest living New Guinean relatives ~9-12 mya. — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Data and studies

Researched care notes

Findings checked against veterinary, zoo, welfare, keeper and peer-reviewed sources. Air, basking-surface and water temperatures are kept separate, and where sources disagree both are shown. “Study” notes report what a paper measured, not a universal rule.

Sugar Glider (species)

Sugar gliders are social; the reference supports compatible group housing rather than routine isolation.¹
Provide vertical climbing space, nest accommodation, and safe enclosure materials.¹
Feeding recommendations rest on limited comparative commercial-diet research. This dossier does not endorse a homemade branded recipe as a validated complete ration. Evidence gap; confidence LOW.¹

Sugar Glider

Merck recommends cage-bar gaps no greater than 1.25 cm to reduce head and foot entrapment.¹
Use exercise wheels with smooth interiors to reduce toe entrapment.¹
Inspect sleeping pouches for fraying and loose threads; replace damaged fabric before it causes injury or is ingested.¹
Provide several food and water locations throughout shared housing rather than one easily monopolized station.¹

Merck Veterinary Manual, overview of sugar gliders

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Room temperature

Reported75–81°F

Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service 5675–81

Maximum recorded lifespan

Highest reported17.8years

AnAge 16217.8

Myhrvold et al. 16317.8

Longest recorded lifespan reported by each database; typical lifespans are usually shorter. The AnAge record comes from an animal in human care.

Typical adult weight

Average of sources119g

AnAge 162110

Myhrvold et al. 163128

Average adult body mass in each database (FishBase gives the maximum recorded weight).

Litter size

Average of sources2young

AnAge 1622

Myhrvold et al. 1632

Average per litter or clutch.

Gestation

Average of sources16days

AnAge 16216

Myhrvold et al. 16316

Female maturity

Average of sources8.4months

AnAge 1627.8

Myhrvold et al. 1639.1

Veterinary & husbandry research

Physiological and behavioral responses of an arboreal mammal to smoke and charcoal-ash substrate Nowack J et al., Physiology & behavior 2018
Pulmonary hyalinosis in captive sugar gliders ( Petaurus breviceps) Sokol SA et al., Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 2017
Forelimb preferences in quadrupedal marsupials and their implications for laterality evolution in mammals Giljov A et al., BMC evolutionary biology 2013
Feeding behavior and nutrition of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) Dierenfeld ES et al., The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice 2009

Peer-reviewed papers that mention this species alongside captivity, zoos, veterinary care or aquaculture. Some cover several species or mention it only in passing, so check the abstract. See all 16 on PubMed → 170

Federal legal snapshot

No federal permit to keep

USDA Animal Welfare Act. Keeping a pet for yourself doesn't need a federal license. Dealers (including many breeders who sell wholesale or sight-unseen) and exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) generally need a USDA license and inspections; some small-scale breeders and retail sellers are exempt. 184

State law decides most of it. Each state sets its own permits and bans for exotic, native, venomous and dangerous animals, and cities and counties can be stricter. Find your state agency →

Animal Welfare Act standards

Warm-blooded animals not covered elsewhere (Subpart F). Applies to USDA-licensed or registered dealers, exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) and research facilities. Private pet owners are not covered. These are legal minimums, not best care; the species care on this page goes further.

Facilities must be structurally sound and strong enough for the species, with reliable power and water, protected food storage and proper waste disposal. §3.125
Indoors: temperature regulated to protect from extremes, adequate ventilation without drafts, and lighting suited to the species that protects animals from excessive light. §3.126
Outdoors: shade from overheating sun, shelter suited to the local climate, and drainage. Animals must be acclimated before facing climate extremes. §3.127
Outdoor facilities need a perimeter fence at least 8 ft high for potentially dangerous animals (large cats, bears, wolves, rhinoceros, elephants) and 6 ft for others, at least 3 ft from the enclosure, unless USDA approves otherwise. §3.127
Space must allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Poor condition, stress or abnormal behavior can show the space is inadequate. §3.128
Food must be wholesome, palatable and of enough quantity and nutritive value for the species, age and condition, fed at least once a day except during hibernation, normal fasts or veterinary treatment. §3.129
Water must be available as often as needed for health and comfort, in clean receptacles. §3.130
Animals sharing an enclosure must be compatible, and must not be housed near animals that interfere with their health or cause them discomfort. §3.133
There is no general enrichment rule for this subpart; enrichment requirements apply to primates, birds and (exercise) dogs. §3.128

Source: 9 CFR Part 3, current eCFR text (USDA APHIS Animal Care).

Kept in captivity?

Every species on this site needs evidence that people actually keep it. For this one:

Included in our hand-checked list of animals kept as pets, livestock or in zoos
AnAge has a longevity record from an animal in captivity
Reviewed by Clint's Reptiles
Covered by one of our in-depth care sheets
32 iNaturalist observations of captive animals

Clint's Reptiles review

Clint Laidlaw reviews this animal in his "The Best Pet?" series: Sugar Glider, The Best Pet Mammal?. He scores handleability, care, hardiness, availability and upfront cost, and explains the reasons behind each score.

Watch Clint's review →

Sources for this sheet

Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service: Sugar glider care Zoo, university or veterinaryVet-school exotics hospital factsheet, reviewed 2021–2024.
AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources) Peer-reviewed researchCurated, referenced longevity and life-history records for thousands of species; maximum lifespans are often from zoo animals.
Myhrvold et al. (2015). An amniote life-history database. Ecology 96: 3109 Peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed compilation of life-history data for over 21,000 birds, mammals and reptiles.
9 CFR 2.1: Animal Welfare Act licensing (USDA) Zoo, university or veterinaryWho needs a USDA license to breed, sell or exhibit animals.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Overview of sugar gliders Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Clint's Reptiles (YouTube): Sugar Glider, The Best Pet Mammal? Expert educator & keeperClint Laidlaw, PhD in Biology Education and MS in Evolutionary Ecology; owner of Clint's Reptile Room and a longtime keeper. His "Best Pet?" series reviews each species' care in depth.
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Peer-reviewed researchInternational scientific taxonomy used here for classification.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Peer-reviewed researchIndex of peer-reviewed veterinary, zoo and husbandry research.
iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.