Although they are both small, furry mammals that can glide through the air, there are many differences between a flying squirrel vs. sugar glider. In fact, they are not even closely related. In this article, we will not only discuss their physical appearances so that you can tell them apart, but also examine other characteristics that distinguish these two similar-looking animals. Read on to learn more about the differences between flying squirrels and sugar gliders.
Comparing a Flying Squirrel and a Sugar Glider
| Flying Squirrel | Sugar Glider | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Sciuridae | Petauridae |
| Size | Varies by species; in North America they average 8-12 inches and weigh 2-5 ounces | 5-12 inches long; weigh 3-6 ounces |
| Distribution and Habitat | Europe, Asia, North America, and Central America; deciduous and mixed forests | Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia; forests and woodlands with dense tree canopy |
| Appearance | Typically grey or brown with pale bellies; bushier tail; big eyes and ears; extra digit at wrist | Gray or brown and striped with pale bellies; pouch on females; less bushy tail; big eyes and ears; opposable toe on hind feet |
| Glide Mechanics | Extra digit helps stretch surface to generate less drag; small flap at the end of their patagium for stablization; limb and wing positions help maneuver during turns | Relies on its limbs to stretch the membrane; not as efficient; create less lift and more drag than flying squirrels; |
| Reproduction and Family Life | Placental mammal; development takes place inside the mother’s body; average litter of 2-4 | Marsupial mammals; joeys finish development inside mother’s pouch; average litter of 1-2 |
| Diet | Insects, flowers, bird eggs, nuts, fungus, seeds, and fruit | Tree sap, small mammals, reptiles, insects, fruits, seeds, honeydew |
Key Differences Between Flying Squirrel vs. Sugar Glider
The southern flying squirrel is one of three species of flying squirrels that live in the U.S.
©Tony Campbell/Shutterstock.com
As mentioned above, these animals may look similar, but they are not closely related. Flying squirrels are rodents and belong to the Sciuridae family. Sugar gliders are marsupials and belong to the Petauridae family. They also differ in size, distribution and habitat, appearance, glide mechanics, reproduction, and diet. Take an in-depth look at each of these differences in the following sections.
Size
Sugar gliders only weigh between 3 and 6 ounces.
©i3iwtz/Shutterstock.com
The size of a flying squirrel varies by species. Flying squirrels in North America average 8-12 inches with a tail length of 3–5 inches. They generally weigh 2-5 ounces. However, red and white giant flying squirrels found in China and Taiwan can measure up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 9.46 pounds.
Sugar gliders are 5-12 inches in length. Their tails can be 6-9 inches. Males weigh 4-6 ounces on average, while females weigh around 3-5 ounces.
Distribution and Habitat
Flying squirrels are found in Europe, Asia, North America, and Central America.
©Agnieszka Bacal/Shutterstock.com
Another difference between a flying squirrel vs. a sugar glider is their geographic location and preferred habitat. Of course, both animals are arboreal. Flying squirrels are found in Europe, Asia, North America, and Central America. They favor deciduous and mixed forests and woodlands. They are also adapted to living in much colder regions compared to sugar gliders.
Sugar gliders are found in Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia. They favor forests and woodlands with dense tree canopy, including rainforests. They can live in both wet and dry woodlands. Sugar gliders have been known to show a preference for Acacia and Eucalyptus trees.
Appearance
Sugar gliders are shades of grey or brown with a dark stripe on their backs and cream-colored bellies.
©apiguide/Shutterstock.com
Flying squirrels and sugar gliders also differ in appearance. Of course, both animals have a fur-covered membrane of skin, called a patagium, that spans from their wrists to their ankles. Both animals are nocturnal, so they have big eyes and ears to see and hear better in the dark. However, flying squirrels have soft, dense fur that is greyish-brown on top and white on their underbellies. They have an extra digit that protrudes from their wrist to aid in stretching the patagium. Flying squirrels also have a bushier tail.
Sugar gliders are typically found in shades of brown or gray, with a dark stripe on their backs and cream-colored undersides. They have an opposable toe on their hind feet to aid in gripping tree branches. Their tails are also much less bushy. Additionally, as marsupials, female sugar gliders have a pouch to carry their young in while they complete development.
Glide Mechanics
Flying squirrels are more efficient gliders, generating more lift and less drag than sugar gliders.
©Laura Fiorillo/Shutterstock.com
While both of these animals are known for their gliding abilities, there are some differences in their glide mechanics. Flying squirrels have an extra digit protruding from the wrist that helps stretch the surface of the patagium. This generates less drag. They also have a small flap at the end of their patagium that aids in stabilization. Flying squirrels use their limb and wing positions to help them maneuver during turns. Overall, flying squirrels are more efficient gliders, generating more lift and less drag compared to sugar gliders. Flying squirrels can reach speeds of 20 to 30mph. North American flying squirrels have been recorded to fly up to 300 feet, but they generally fly distances of 150 feet or less. However, some giant flying squirrels have been recorded to glide for up to 1,475 feet.
Sugar gliders do not have an extra digit on their hands, so they rely on their limbs to stretch the membrane. Sugar gliders can glide for over 150 feet before touching down. They have an opposable toe on their hind feet that helps them grip branches or other objects when landing. Sugar gliders steer using their tails and shifting their limbs to adjust the amount of tension in their membrane. They can glide at speeds of up to 25mph in optimal conditions.
Reproduction and Family Life
Sugar gliders are marsupials, so the joeys complete their development inside mother’s pouch.
©I Wayan Sumatika/Shutterstock.com
Flying squirrels are rodents, which means they are placental mammals. The development of the fetus takes place inside the mother’s body. Mating takes place in early spring, then there is a gestation period of about 40 days. In North America, the average litter for a flying squirrel is 2-4 kits. The mother raises the kits by herself and will remain in a nearby nest until the young are independent. Otherwise, flying squirrels are highly social and frequently live in family groups.
Sugar gliders are marsupials, so the joeys complete their development inside the mother’s pouch. They have an average litter of 1-2 kits. The breeding season varies by region. After a gestation period of 15 to 17 days, the joeys crawl up into the mother’s pouch and attach to one of four teats. The joeys remain in the mother’s pouch until they are around 70 days old. Sugar gliders are also social and may live in family colonies with up to seven adult males, females, and their offspring. The fathers and other members of the colony help raise the young. However, young females leave the colony before they reach sexual maturity.
Diet
Sugar gliders have a seasonal diet, eating more high protein food during the summer.
©AsepBachowie/Shutterstock.com
Flying squirrels and sugar gliders also have slightly different diets, but both animals are omnivorous. A flying squirrel primarily eats insects, flowers, bird eggs, seeds, nuts, fungus, and fruit. They may also sometimes eat carrion. Their choices often vary by season. Flying squirrels are notorious hoarders, primarily caching nuts to eat during winter, which is not something that sugar gliders are known for.
Sugar gliders also have a varied diet. They eat tree sap, small mammals, reptiles, insects, fruits, seeds, and aphid honeydew. Like flying squirrels, sugar gliders have a seasonal diet, eating more insects and other invertebrates during the summer, and more tree sap, nectar, and acacia gum during the winter when animal matter is scarcer.
