The Sugar Glider is basically a marsupial and related to the opposum. ( But much cuter! ) They are around 6.3 to 7.5 inches in length, with a tail as long as the body and almost as thick as a human thumb, and weighs under
5 1/2 oz. The muzzle is short and rounded, with a little pink nose! The most noticeable features of their anatomy, however, are the twin skin membranes called patagium which extend from their front feet to their back feet. The membranes are used to glide between trees: when fully extended they form an aerodynamic surface the size of a large handkerchief. ( Sugar gliders are not "flying squirrels" though a lot of people refer to them as such. )
Suggie Sounds!
The first sound you'll hear from a sugar glider is pretty startling. It is called 
crabbing, which is really an apt description. Some say it sounds like an
electric pencil sharpener - pretty accurate, I say!
They also make a
barking sound , which sounds just like a very young puppy barking! My first glider "Trinket" was kept alone for over a year ( not recommended . ) Well, I was awakened on a few occasions - to the sound of a very young puppy barking...I have had dogs all my life and let me tell you - when they make this sound - they really do sound like a young puppy barking. I believe that "Trinket" was lonely and that is why she was making this noise...( Calling for others of her kind? ) Any way - I have not heard her make this noise since I brought home her room mate "Nueget" My little boy ( Nueget ) on the other hand - barks once in a while - I believe this is when my adult female is pestered by him, hence ignoring him. What entertaining little creatures!
PURR- This sounds very much like a tiny kittens purr. It is very faint and methodical. It is a sound of contentment, just as a kittens would be. This sound is also one that few people get a chance to hear. With it being so faint, unless the glider is very close to you, for example in your pocket or on your chest, the chances of being able to hear it, is based upon the trust that your glider and yourself has built between you. This sound, had to have the volume increased, the mic was placed directly on her and volume increased by 150%
HISSING - This is yet another sound depending on where they are and what they are doing. So I will try to explain the best I can..
- It sounds much like a snake that is hissing that is in labor.. very short and deliberate hisses.. This can be a sound of constipation, watch them while they make this sound, there are very distinct differences between this and other hissing sounds. If the tail is straight up in the air and they seem to be hunched over, chances are they are having a hard time going to the bathroom and this problem needs to be corrected.
- . This sounds very much like the one above but in slightly longer intervals, and has some slight differences in the pitches. this could be a sound of annoyance, basically they don't like something,
- This one has very long stretches.. I have heard this when one wants the other near to them.. they are long and drawn out.. You can actually hear the hissing going both on the inhale as well as the normal exhale.. Interpreted, this means "come here RIGHT NOW"
CHATTERING
- This sounds much like a squirrel clicking , very short, very quick taps.. we
usually hear this in the morning when one of our suggie's hear us come near the cage, we
interpret it as " Good Morning" or "Hello, glad to see you.".
CHIRP - This actually sounds like a gurbuling sound, most often, (but not limited to) heard while eating their fav foods.. this clip was turned up in volume, many times so as to get a good idea what the sound is. Definitely a content sound.
CRYING - This is a sound most generally heard by joeys, or gliders that have just went into a new home and is crying for their mom and/or family.
SINGING - Glider moms sing to their babies while they are still in the pouch, this is a very sweet and rhythmic sound, and you can definitely tell she is singing to them.. It sounds very much like a churble and changes in pitches and sounds. Much like our music, no two songs are the same.
FIGHTING/MATING - Now, how to tell the difference, is to learn your gliders.
- Mating - Obviously, if you have a male and female together, that is of breeding age, they will do this. It is part of their mating ritual, and will be continuous for a long time. It is very common for people to believe that the males and females are fighting during this time. But it is all part of it. From the time you hear this sound, you can just about count your sixteen days, and have joeys in the pouch.
- Fighting - very common sound, the "get your foot outta my face " sound. It is a sound of annoyance between 2 gliders. this sound if fussing or fighting, will not generally last for a continually long period of time. If you have just introduced a couple of gliders, and haven't made sure they get along, be sure you watch them closely, this sound could mean the death of one. It is also a sign of dominance. While two gliders are establishing their dominance.