Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials that are native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. They get their name from their love of eating sugar and their ability to glide through the air. Sugar gliders are popular pets because of their playful and social nature. But how can you tell how old a sugar glider is? Here is a quick guide.
The size of the sugar glider
One way to determine the age of a sugar glider is by looking at its size. Baby sugar gliders are born blind and only weigh about 2 grams. They will double in size after their eyes open at around 2 weeks old. At 6-8 weeks old, they will be weaned from their mother’s milk and will be fully independent. Adult sugar gliders typically weigh between 100-140 grams.
So, if you’re looking at a sugar glider that is less than 100 grams, it is probably still a baby.
Sugar glider age/weight growth table
| Age | Weight |
| 1 week | 12g – 22g |
| 2 weeks | 12g – 26g |
| 3 weeks | 12g – 27g |
| 4 weeks | 23g – 33g |
| 5 weeks | 30g – 40g |
| 6 weeks | 30g – 45g |
| 7 weeks | 40g – 50g |
| 8 weeks | 45g – 60g |
| Adult sugar | 100 – 140g |
The teeth
Another way to tell the age of a sugar glider is by looking at its teeth. Sugar gliders have two sets of teeth: baby teeth and adult teeth. Baby teeth start to come in at around 3 weeks old and are fully replaced by adult teeth by around 6 months old. So, if you see a sugar glider with baby teeth, it is probably less than 6 months old.
What are the baby teeth of the sugar glider look like?
Sugar glider baby teeth are small, short, and round-shaped. It is easily identifiable by its tiny ‘milk teeth’ when it is born. These teeth are temporary and will fall off when the glider reaches adulthood. Remember, it is not just baby teeth, it is also called deciduous which is the first and permanent teeth that fall off and new permanent teeth grow in.
These teeth will fall off at 18-23 months old. These teeth are called deciduous teeth which are the first permanent teeth that fall off and new permanent teeth grow in.
What are the adult teeth of the sugar glider look like?
Sugar glider’s adult teeth look like small human molars. They are sharper and more pointed than human teeth. In fact, they have incisors, canines, and molars. Sugar gliders’ two incisors are located at the front of their mouth and are used for tearing food into smaller pieces.
They are sharp, pointed, and slightly curved. The canines are the pointy teeth located behind the incisors. These are used for tearing and puncturing through food. They are long, sharp, and curved. Sugar glider’s molars are located behind the canines. These are used for grinding food. They are flat and are used for grinding food. They are flat and wide.
Coloration
The coloration of a sugar glider can also give clues about its age. Baby sugar gliders are born with grey fur, which starts to turn white after a few weeks. The white fur starts to develop brown patches after a few months, and the brown patches continue to darken as the sugar glider ages.
So, if you see a sugar glider with grey fur, it is probably less than 3 weeks old. If you see one with white fur and no brown patches, it is probably less than 6 months old. If you see one with brown patches, it is probably an adult sugar glider.
Conclusion
There are a few different ways that you can determine the age of a sugar glider. By looking at its size, teeth, and coloration, you can get a good idea of how old the sugar glider is. Adult sugar gliders typically weigh between 100-140 grams, have all their adult teeth, and have brown patches on their fur. So, if you’re looking for an adult sugar glider, keep an eye out for these things!