http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bird.net.au/bird/images/2/22/Sugar_Glider.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bird.net.au/bird/index.php%3Ftitle%3DSugar_Glider&usg=__cyVkFN1Ykq7bAPqpJAl0piKaZuE=&h=257&w=341&sz=31&hl=en&start=3&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=CKgo5dK3ZduWIM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBrown%2BSugar%2Bgliders%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D551%26tbs%3Disch:1



Look at this picture. The color of the coat looks very off, and they eyes look kind of weird. Mabye its the glare or light reflection.

I think we should have a post where we post pictures of gliders with bad diets. It should be and example of why diets are SO Important.

This appears to be a wild glider. It is true, their diets are VERY different from what we feed in captivity, though we all do our best. I'd imagine that native flora and fauna, as well as other factors have a big impact on the coat color. Additionally, as the article about gliders where this photo is shown says, gliders in various locals vary in terms of coloration and size.

I think the weird eye coloring is probably just due to the photography and lighting.

That definitely looks to be a wild glider, not a captive glider with a bad diet.

The eyes of animals can do that when you use a flash.

I agree wild glider. If I remember correctly someone on here posted a pic of a wild glider on her before and it looked just like that.

Huh. First time I've ever even seen a pic of a wild glider before. Interesting.

I see nothing wrong with this critter. And I'm not even sure it is a wild one. They often stage those kinds of images using zoo animals.

I have never thought that the color of a coat says anything about diet. Greasy looking gliders are generally intact animals and are practicing all of their genetic behaviors which include marking and being marked.

Wild or not that glider seems to be well fed!

It is possible this glider is blind, but like others have said, it could be the lighting and camera flash.

This glider looks healthy to me.

I thought blind gliders' eyes showed as very distinct white spots in the center of their eyes...not the entire eye. I have pics that look like this as far as the eyes looking like that.

The blind trait genetic defect generally presents as solid filled white eyes behind the iris. You dont normally see a sugar glider iris as everything is black, but you can when they are blind. And this will of course change size depending on light.

It is an Australian sugar glider and if you look at the website where the photo comes from it says this though it's the southern ones which are darker. The northern ones are silver grey

quote:

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The fur is generally pearl grey, with black and cream patches at the base of the pink ears. The tail tapers only moderately and the last quarter of it is black, often with a white tip. The muzzle is short and rounded. Northern forms tend to be brown coloured rather than grey and, as predicted by Bergman's rule, smaller.

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One of my females


My gliders are typical of southern sub species, Petaurus Breviceps Breviceps and I do indeed have gliders that colouring and that is normal colouring and nothing to do with poor husbandry or diet. Trust me you couldn't find a healthier bunch.



10 years plus Mum - matriach of my colony with typical colouring of her sub species. She still had joeys last season!


I also agree with Kazko in regards to colouring and coat. There are other reasons why coats aren't always pristine grey... sub species with that colouring, scent marking(very very common) etc. A sick or poorly nutritioned glider usually has a greasy looking coat. The glider in the photo has a very healthy looking coat indeed. The eyes are probably the result of the camerawork.

Ko, your gliders are gorgeous! What a nice, fluffy tail your girl has! :-)

I want to hug themmmm.

Wow, the size difference between the gliders in Australia and here in the U.S. astonishes me!

Great thread! Super Interesting!

THANK YOU!

Your welcome.!