Why is this animal unusual?
It doesn’t fly, it glides. A thin sheet of furry skin runs from each wrist to each ankle. When it jumps and spreads its legs, it becomes a small furry kite and can travel around 160 ft (50 m).
Why does it look like that?
Soft grey fur with a dark stripe down the back, a fluffy tail it uses as a rudder, and huge eyes for seeing at night.
Strangest biological feature
A sweet tooth. It bites into the bark of eucalyptus and acacia trees and licks up the sugary sap that oozes out.
Why is it strange?
The male has a bald patch on top of his head. It’s a scent gland, and he rubs it on his family so that everyone in the group smells the same.
Interesting behavioral facts
Sugar gliders live in small colonies that share a nest in a tree hollow, and they bark – surprisingly loudly – like tiny dogs.
Records held
In 2020 scientists found that the “sugar glider” is actually three different species.
