Sugar Glider Colony
A sugar glider colony is a social structure formed by the species Petaurus breviceps, commonly known as the sugar glider. Sugar gliders are incredibly social animals and form strong bonds with one another. As such, grouping them together in a colony is an ideal way to foster these connections. A sugar glider colony consists of a group of at least two or three adult gliders living together in an enclosure that resembles their natural environment as much as possible.
Sugar gliders can live in large colonies of up to 20 to 40 adults with two alpha males fathering the majority of offspring. We can easily tell the males and females apart as the males have a bald spot on their head, and their chest which is actually are scent glands. The females in turn, have a pouch on their belly in which they raise their young for 10 weeks after birth. (Neutered males look similar to the females as they are not actively producing the male hormone.)
Young gliders usually leave around 10 months, at puberty, to start their own colonies. By this time, they are already starting to pose a threat to the patriarch or matriarch and there is an open display of violence pushing the young away.
Colonies provide an opportunity for the dynamics between each individual to be observed, including hierarchies and behavior patterns. These dynamics are key to maintaining harmony amongst the colony members, as aggression should not be tolerated as it can lead to serious injury or death. It’s also important to monitor dynamics to spot any changes which may indicate health problems regarding any individual member of the group.
In addition to observing dynamics, colonies offer important physical and mental stimulation for each glider. Having the opportunity to interact with other sugar gliders helps them to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. When properly cared for, sugar glider colonies can be incredibly rewarding for owners as well as greatly benefitting the animals themselves.
Sugar Gliders are native to tropical and cool-temperate forests, but they also thrive in the strips and patches of trees left on cleared agricultural land, plantations and rural gardens in Papua New Guinea, the islands of Indonesia and Australia. Here they have developed their complex wild diet of a range of exotic fruits, pollen, flower nectar and tree sap depending on the location and season. On occasion they also consume a variety of insects, like spiders and beetles they find in the trees and moths that are also nocturnal that they catch gliding between tree branches. Sugar gliders very physically active with a high metabolism and in captivity it is crucial to provide a balanced diet, similar to what a sugar glider would consume naturally in the wild.
Adult sugar gliders can control their temperature. They tend to nest in tree hollows with up to 10 other adults where they usually sleep or torpor huddled together as a group, especially at winter where the temperature can drop below freezing point in their natural environment. Sugar gliders are capable of entering a state of torpor when in the company of other gliders, which is an essential part of their natural cycle.
Torpor vs Hibernation
Adult sugar gliders can control their temperature. They tend to nest in tree hollows with up to 10 other adults where they usually sleep or torpor huddled together as a group, especially at winter where the temperature can drop below freezing point in their natural environment. Sugar gliders are only capable of entering a state of torpor when in the company of other gliders, which is an essential part of their natural cycle.
One of the most impressive feats of a sugar glider is their ability to enter a state of torpor -an extreme form of slow metabolism that enables them to conserve energy when food sources are scarce. While it may seem similar to hibernation, torpor is actually much more dynamic; rather than remaining dormant for extended periods like some mammals do during hibernation, sugar gliders can cycle in and out of torpor throughout the day. During this time, they have a reduced body temperature and heart rate allowing them to conserve energy and survive in their naturally variable environment.
Torpor is something many solitary animals struggle with. But in a colony, one glider can enter torpor while the others remain awake and alert, ensuring that no individual’s safety is compromised. It’s important to keep an eye on dynamics during this time as some individuals may take advantage of the situation to bully another, so regular checks should be carried out if any members seem disinterested or isolated from the rest.
Overall, colonies provide sugar gliders with more opportunities for socialization, dynamics monitoring and torpor that they wouldn’t be able to experience alone. This ability is incredibly important for sugar gliders, as it allows them to continue living in large colonies with ever-changing food sources. By entering torpor during times of scarcity, they are able to keep up with their social lifestyle without risking starvation. It’s an amazing adaptation that continues to help this species thrive today!
The Patriarch and the Matriarch
The patriarch in the colony is usually the oldest and most experienced male, who leads group activities such as foraging and mating. He also helps protect younger members of the group from predators.
In addition to territorial behavior, he will mark his territory with scent glands located on his chest and forehead. This marking ensures that other males don’t enter into his space and mate with his females. The patriarch typically has two or more female mates, forming a polyandrous relationship. Females tend to stay in their groups even when they move away from their patriarch’s home range. They may form different colonies while still keeping the patriarch as their leader.
The patriarch plays an important role in the colony’s survival, leading them to food and providing protection from danger. His leadership ensures that the sugar gliders live harmoniously together and can thrive in the wild. This strong social structure provides many benefits to the species, ensuring its long-term success. The patriarch’s role in the colony is essential and should be respected. Without it, the species would suffer. It is therefore important to protect sugar glider colonies so that this keystone species can continue to successfully survive in the wild.
A matriarch is also sometimes found in a sugar glider colony, usually the oldest female in the group. She plays an important role as well, such as teaching younger females about foraging and finding food sources. Her experience ensures that the sugar gliders survive and remain organized within their social structure. Protecting matriarchs and patriarchs of sugar glider colonies is essential to the species’ continuing success. Acting responsibly when interacting with these colonies will ensure that future generations of this unique animal can thrive in the wild. By being mindful of protecting matriarchs and patriarchs, we can help secure a future for these amazing species.
Introducing a New Member to Your Colony
Sugar gliders are very social animals and they need their peers and should be kept at least as a couple or in a larger colony for their mental well-being. In captivity it will eventually be possible to increase the members of your colony but this requires dedicated time and patience for each of the multiple steps involved!!
A group of 3 sugar gliders is considered a colony. For the dynamics of your colony; it is recommended to have an even number of males and females, and if needed, it is better to have a majority of females than males. And it is best to neuter all males over 4 months. Intact males (males over 5 months that have not been neutered) can be territorial but tend to get along fine with male brothers that they have grown up with and also with males under 5 months or neutered males.
Before introducing a new member to your colony; a 30 day quarantine is recommended. The next step is to bring the new member’s cage close but without reach of the colony’s cage. Third is to swap a few toys and for example a sleeping pouch between the 2 cages. You still need to keep one of the original sleeping bags in each cage, but like this both parties start getting familiar with each other’s scents.
After about a week when they have accepted each other’s scents and started sleeping in the other’s sleeping bag it is time for the first introduction. This needs to take place on “neutral ground” either in a bonding tent or on a clear surface like a table or counter with constant supervision. Bring your sugar gliders while they are still in their sleeping bags and carefully grab the new sugar glider’s tail and let the others sniff one at the time. Take your time before moving on to next sugar glider(s) to smell. Next let the new sugar glider smell the others’ tails. If this is difficult for whatever reason, you can also let them carefully sniff each others’ faces. Screaming or crabbing is a normal reaction at this stage but make sure to separate them immediately if any fighting occurs and then try again tomorrow.
When getting past the smelling stage you may place your sugar gliders next to each other with a bunch of toys and tasty treats right by you. Observe your sugar glides moving around to check out the new surrounding, the toys, the treats, you and also each other. Again; separate them immediately if any fighting occurs and then try anew tomorrow.
When the interaction with the new sugar glider seems fine you should try placing them together in a neutral cage with clean toys and at least 2 clean pouches, still under constant observation.
When you see it fit to move on to bring their old sleeping pouches into the cage they now are in you should give it a go. When you see that the sugar gliders are climbing into each other’s sleeping pouches without any rejections from the other you have a great sign of your progress!!
Now, try keeping both sleeping pouches in the cage overnight so everyone will have a safe place to turn to if needed overnight if there is a disagreement of some kind. Also make sure to check on your sugar gliders several times during the night to make sure they are getting along well.
