For most animal species, it’s difficult to tell the difference between males and females. In most cases, you need to look closely, but for some animals, you might not even know what you’re looking for. You might be surprised to learn that a big difference between male and female sugar gliders is fairly obvious at first glance. Yet, it's not what you'd expect.
Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Sugar Gliders?
Sugar gliders are a sexually dimorphic species, meaning there’s a difference in appearance between males and females. Many animal species with sexual dimorphism have different colors or unique body shapes, but sugar gliders have some unexpected differences, including one that stands out.
What’s the Difference Between Male and Female Sugar Gliders?
While there’s one main physical difference that you’ll probably notice at first glance, there are several aspects that set male and female sugar gliders apart. Consider the following when trying to figure out if a sugar glider is a boy or girl.
Scent Gland
The easiest way to tell male and female sugar gliders apart is to look for a scent gland on their heads. While sugar gliders have various scent glands, males have one on their foreheads. It looks like a bald spot, but it’s perfectly normal. Females don’t have this scent gland. So, a sugar glider with a bald spot on the forehead is a male.
Male sugar gliders use this unique scent gland for marking. They can rub their heads on plants and other sugar gliders to mark their territory. As pets, you might notice male sugar gliders rubbing on the edges of the enclosure or other items, such as sugar glider toys, to leave their scent behind.
While these scent glands are fairly obvious in adult sugar gliders, they might not fully develop until the sugar glider reaches sexual maturity, about 12 to 15 months out of the pouch. Before then, it might not appear as noticeable. Thus, you can’t rely on this method for telling the difference between young male and female sugar gliders. Luckily, there are other factors that distinguish them.
Pouch
Since sugar gliders are marsupials, the females have pouches for carrying their young. Males don’t have pouches. The pouch can be found under the female’s abdomen. While this is a significant difference between the two, the pouch isn’t always noticeable. Young females and non-breeding adults may have pouches that aren’t fully developed.
It’s best not to handle sugar gliders too much, so if you can’t easily see the pouch, it can be tricky to determine if they’re a male or female. If that’s the case, keep an eye out for other distinguishing characteristics.
Cloaca
The cloaca is the sugar glider’s opening for relieving themselves and for reproduction. Of course, this is what most people look at first when trying to tell if an animal is male or female. Unfortunately, for sugar gliders, the differences between their cloacas are minor and often unnoticeable.
A sugar glider’s cloaca is a bump at the base of their tail. Some sources state that males have a slightly longer cloaca, but unless you have a male and a female, you won’t be able to compare. So, it’s best not to use this as a distinguishing factor.
Size
Male sugar gliders are typically larger and heavier than females. Males weigh 4 to 6 ounces (110 to 160 grams) while females weigh 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 140 grams). This is another difference that’s barely noticeable, especially if you don’t have a male and female sugar glider to compare. Like the cloaca, don’t rely on this method.
Behavior
While behavior varies for each individual animal, it can sometimes provide hints as to whether they’re male or female. Sugar gliders can make a lot of weird noises, but males are typically louder than females. They may vocalize loudly to assert dominance. Males may also mark their territory with urine or scent glands more frequently than females would.
In addition to being less territorial, females often display maternal behaviors. You might see them gathering materials and building nests.
Consult a Vet if You’re Unsure if Your Sugar Glider is Male or Female
If you have no idea whether your sugar glider is male or female, it’s best to consult a professional. Have an exotic vet (one that’s knowledgeable about the species) look at your sugar glider to determine. They can give you the most accurate verdict.
It’s important to know whether your sugar glider is male or female because it influences which sugar gliders they can live with. Sugar gliders need companions, but companions of the opposite sex could result in unwanted reproduction. So, knowing whether they’re a boy or a girl can ensure you keep only male sugar gliders or only female sugar gliders in the same enclosure.
Can Male and Female Sugar Gliders Live Together?
No, male and female sugar gliders shouldn’t live together unless the male is neutered. Female sugar gliders can’t be spayed because their small size makes the surgery too invasive. Keeping an unneutered male with female sugar gliders can quickly cause unwanted litters, so it’s best to keep them separated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Two Male Sugar Gliders Live Together?
Yes, sugar gliders prefer to live with others, so two males can live together. However, it’s best to neuter at least one of them to prevent dominant and territorial behaviors.
Can You Spay/Neuter Sugar Gliders?
You can neuter male sugar gliders, but it’s best not to spay females. Neutering sugar gliders can reduce territorial behaviors and prevent unwanted litters. Yet, spaying sugar gliders is considered unsafe because it’s a much more invasive procedure than neutering.
Do Male Sugar Gliders Have a Pouch?
No, male sugar gliders don’t have a pouch, but females do. It’s a great way to tell the two apart, along with the other differences mentioned above.
Are Male or Female Sugar Gliders Better Pets?
It depends on the individual sugar gliders. Each sugar glider has their own personality. While some male sugar gliders can be very territorial, that’s not the case for all of them. So, if you want pet sugar gliders, meet them first to see what their temperaments are like.
The Differences Between Male and Female Sugar Gliders are Helpful
Now that you know some of the differences between male and female sugar gliders, you can better determine which one a sugar glider is. It’s important to always know if a sugar glider is male or female before getting them as a pet so you don’t accidentally house them with the opposite sex. After all, it’s always best to avoid unexpected litters in pets if you’re not a reputable breeder.