What type of environment does a sugar glider live in?
Sugar gliders can be found in hollows of trees in both wet and dry lands. They are nocturnal meaning they only come out an night, this is to hunt and feed on tree sap. These hollows provide the sugar gliders with shelter and nesting for reproduction. Sugar gliders share these particular habitats with other gliders such as the squirrel glider and mahagony glider.
Two challenges that the sugar glider faces while living in that environment
Feral predators
Sugar gliders have a large range of animal predators including kookaburras, owls, foxes, stray cats and snakes just to name a few. Many of these predators can be found in surrounding environments of the sugar glider.
Habitat clearing
Habitat is a serious problem amongst all animals, especially the sugar glider. Habitat clearing leaves the sugar gliders with no food source, shelter or nesting structures. Leaving them prone to wild predators. Sugar gliders are strongly connected to their home and if this is destroyed they often struggle to find new vegetation.
Sugar gliders have a large range of animal predators including kookaburras, owls, foxes, stray cats and snakes just to name a few. Many of these predators can be found in surrounding environments of the sugar glider.
Habitat clearing
Habitat is a serious problem amongst all animals, especially the sugar glider. Habitat clearing leaves the sugar gliders with no food source, shelter or nesting structures. Leaving them prone to wild predators. Sugar gliders are strongly connected to their home and if this is destroyed they often struggle to find new vegetation.
A structural adaptation of the sugar glider
Sugar gliders have a gliding membrane called the patagium which extends from their wrist to their ankles. This structure allows the sugar glider to glide from tree to tree as it forms into a rectangular shape that acts like a parachute. This in return decreases the chance of predators catching them as the sugar gliders are high in the sky and not on the ground.
A behavioural adaptation of the sugar glider
If food is scarce or weather conditions are poor sugar gliders are able to go into hibernation for hours up to 16. This type of hibernation assists with the survival of these small animals as these types of situations can easily kill such species.
A physiological adaptation
Sugar gliders have adapted physiologically by developing what is known as a scent gland. These scent glands have their own unique scent which is used in the marking of sugar gliders territory. These glands are located on the forehead, anal and chest.
A rhythmic pattern displayed by the sugar glider
One rhythmic pattern displayed by the sugar glider is mating. Sugar glider mating season is during winter and spring. Approximately 16 days after breeding, the embryo makes it's way to a pouch located on the belly of the sugar glider. The mother then supplies the young with the nutrients required to grow and develop, this process continues for another 60-70 days. 4 months after the birth of the baby sugar glider, the young are abandoned and left to reproduce themselves, hunt and find shelter.
Interesting fact - Sugar gliders get their name from their love for sugar
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Google.com.au,. 'Cliff Bottlebrush - Google Search'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 July 2015.
Adaptations in the Grampians,. 'Sugar Glider'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 July 2015.