Sugar gliders have been given the scientific name Petaurusbreviceps, implying tight rope walker, short head. They are newly discovered fad pets of the world. It is a tiny marsupial possum mainly seen in the forests of Australia, Indonesia, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea.
Here are some interesting facts that you need to know about a Sugar Glider. They are bound to amaze you:

Their size is that of a large hamster. Their claws are shaped like scimitar, where the third and second fingers are clubbed together. This helps them in climbing without glitches. Their furs are of black and grey stripes with a lighter base of white.

This new pet is nocturnal and has very big eyes for proper night vision. They can stay wake for about 12 hours at a stretch without any sleep.
The male specie has got a patch of crusty alopecia on their heads. It is a perfumed gland, which is generally mistaken as a scab by novice vets.

Their tail is used as steering equipment and can change directions by simply adjusting the stiffness of the patagium.

The sugar gliders are well known for their gliding ability. They glide from tree to tree and can easily cover up a distance of about 150 feet by just gliding. They are endowed with a gliding membrane that extends from their ankle to wrist, known as the patagium, just as in a flying squirrel and hence the name.

They breed in a very interesting way by forming a trio of two females and a male. The female has to hold her baby in the womb for just sixteen days and thereafter she carries her offspring in her pouch for the first three months. Once they are independent, they leave their mother’s pouch.

They are very social creatures and need to be kept with a mate. In a day, they need full attention of an hour or two; else they might feel isolated and stress out. They are very exotic animals and need proper care and feeding.

They make nests inside the hollow branches and trunks of a tree and line them with leaves that they carry with their tail.

Sugar gliders are not capable of putting a sudden brake to their aerial locomotion. While landing it tilts its body a bit and puts its patagium upwards like a parachute that pulls them horizontally. To put a proper brake or stop, they have to bump themselves against trees just like the gliding ants do and then cling on to the trunk with their claws.

Sugar gliders are illegal to be made pet in certain states hence the clinicians avoid treating them too.

The name might trick one into think that they prefer eating sweet foods like fruits or sugar but they are actually insectivorous and omnivorous. Hence they can be offered to eat a variety of insects, fruits, meats and even certain vegetables.

Sugar gliders are increasingly becoming favored pets of animal lovers. Even though they are a little difficult to keep, most individuals manage after a few days of tantrums.