Brown Sugar Glider in care

We have had numerous Sugar Gliders in care at Wildlife Mountain and all have looked almost identical, with this species there is little variance in markings and colour.

Imagine my surprise when we received this little one. She came in as a Ringtail possum, and I can certainly understand that someone unfamiliar with the different species would at first sight think that is what she would be. She was however a Sugar Glider.

Sugar gliders are grey with a black stripe running from nose down their back. This one had the right markings but the wrong colour, she was brown with dark brown stripe.

She had been brought in to the callers residence by their cat, so first priority was to give her antibiotics, if we can treat the animal within about 4 hours they have a fairly good chance of recovery, the longer treatment is delayed, the less chances are for recovery, the animal will surely die from infection. This little glider had been collected and was in care in time.

We kept her for 6 days treating her with suitable antibiotics for 5 days and on day 6 she was ready for release back to where her colony was located. It is extremely important that animals such as gliders are returned as soon as possible and they must go back to their own colony as they are extremely territorial.

As she had been brought in to caller by their cat we were not exactly sure where the colony may be located, but luck was on her side as the cat had smelled strongly of Eucalypt, and the only large Eucalypt close by was some large trees in front of the house.

The original rescuers were contacted and they took our little glider back well after dark, ensuring few predators would be out looking for an easy meal.

Rescuers Jackie and Ken opened the carrier cage by the eucalypt trees and the little Glider jumped out, did a hop on the ground and leapt up the tree. She continued right to the top and disappeared from sight.

Jackie said she had never seen anything move so fast. The glider had recognised the smell of home.
Sugar Gliders can have a brown tinge when very old, but in approximately 13 years of caring I have never seen a healthy young brown Sugar Glider.

26 March 2010