Classification
Here is a list of traits from least to most specific regarding sugargliders.
Kingdom Animalia
- Has cellular characteristics such as DNA inside a nucleus
- Eats by ingestion and heterotrophic
- Has Muscular tissues, nervous system, and multiple tissue layers
- Has symmetry and regulatory genes
- Reproduces sexually
Subkingdom Metazoa
- Utilizes an extracellular matrix or ECM
Phylum Chordata (Some traits in Chordata are only prenatal)
- Has gill-like structures called pharyngeal slits
- Has a dorsal nerve cord
- Has a notochord
- Has a post-anal tail
Class Mammalia
- Produces hair
- Has Mammary Glands
- Endothermic
- Four-Chambered Heart
- Synapsids
SubClass Theria
- Offspring do not hatch from eggs
InfraClass Metatheria
- Offspring are not born with a true placenta, it is less developed
- Offspring are not well developed at birth
- Offspring are born into a marsupium (a pouch inside the belly of the mother)
- Bifid reproductive organs
- More teeth are present than in placental animals
Order Marsupialia
- Give birth to relatively undeveloped young
- Have a pouch containing multiple nipples to sustain young
- Lack ossified patellae [with few exceptions]
Family Petauridae
- Have obvious facial markings
- A well-defined dorsal stripe
- Very large lower front incisors
- Four-cusped molars
Genus Petaurus
- Arboreal ( live in trees )
- Most all are nocturnal
- Omnivores or more precisely Exudativores
- Patagium
- Most are native to Australia and surrounding lands
- Specific characteristics in genetic material and blood composition
- Other species: Breviceps, Norfolcensis, Abidi, Gracilis, Biancensis and Australis
Species Breviceps
- The sugar glider or Petaurus breviceps meaning "short-headed rope-dancer".
- Lives in groups.
- Seasonally adapted omnivores who are exudativores the majority of the year but are opportunistic feeders that can also be carnivorous and insectivorous.
- Along with the Leadbeater's Possum, the Sugar Glider is the largest marsupial able to enter torpor daily in the wild.
Subspecies
- breviceps (Waterhouse, 1839) Victoria, South Aus, NSW?, Qld & Tasmania (red), Australia
- longicaudatus (Longman, 1924) Queensland, Australia
- ariel (Gould, 1842) Northern Territory to WA, Australia
- flavidus (Tate & Archbold, 1935) Southern New Guinea, Island of NewGuinea
- papuanus (Thomas, 1888) Northern New Guinea, Island of NewGuinea
- tafa (Tate & Archbold, 1935) Owen Stanley Range, Island of NewGuinea
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