Pet Breed Guide NZ
Sugar Glider
Sugar Glider is a small marsupial originating from Australia. It is a prohibited new organism in New Zealand: Schedule 2 of the HSNO Act 1996 lists any member of the families Phalangeridae and Petauridae other than the Australian brushtail possum, so it cannot be imported or kept as a pet. Typical lifespan is 10-15 years.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- moderate
- Social Needs
- solitary
- Animal Type
- marsupial
Prohibited in New Zealand. Schedule 2 of the HSNO Act 1996 (prohibited new organisms) lists any member of the families Phalangeridae and Petauridae other than the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), and no approval can be issued to import one (s25(2)).
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Origin
- Australia
- Care Focus
- Nocturnal animal with specialised husbandry and secure-housing needs.
- NZ Price
- Not applicable, as Sugar Gliders are a prohibited species in New Zealand and cannot be legally purchased or owned.
NZ Lifestyle Fit
PROHIBITED in New Zealand: EPA prohibits members of family Petauridae other than the Australian brushtail possum. Do not recommend import, purchase, or keeping as pets.
About the Sugar Glider
Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are captivating small marsupials originating from the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Known for their distinctive gliding ability, they are nocturnal animals that can live for 10-15 years in captivity in countries where they are legal. They are omnivores, with a diet primarily consisting of sweet fruits, nectar, sap, and insects. While their unique appearance and interactive nature make them popular exotic pets in some parts of the world, it is imperative for New Zealanders to be aware that Sugar Gliders are a prohibited species in Aotearoa. Their ownership, import, and breeding are illegal under the Biosecurity Act 1993, due to the significant risks they pose to New Zealand's unique native ecosystems and primary industries.
What They Look Like
Sugar Gliders are small, agile creatures, typically measuring between 12 to 15 centimetres from head to tail base, with a tail almost as long as their body. Their most striking feature is the patagium, a furry membrane of skin that extends from their fifth finger to their first toe on each side of their body. When spread, this membrane allows them to glide effortlessly between trees, covering distances of up to 50 metres or more. They have soft, dense grey fur with a distinctive dark stripe running from their nose to the base of their tail. Their large, dark eyes are adapted for nocturnal vision, and their small, rounded ears are highly mobile, aiding in their acute hearing. They also possess a prehensile tail, which they use for balance and to carry nesting materials.
Personality & Behaviour
In their natural habitat, Sugar Gliders are highly social animals, living in colonies of up to a dozen or more individuals. They communicate through a variety of vocalisations, including chirps, barks, and a distinctive 'crabbing' sound when agitated. As nocturnal animals, they are most active during the night, foraging for food and socialising. In pet environments where they are legal, they can form strong bonds with their human caregivers, often 'pouching' on their owners during the day. However, their social needs are complex; solitary Sugar Gliders in pet settings can become stressed and exhibit behavioural issues. They are naturally curious and require significant mental and physical enrichment to thrive, including opportunities to climb, glide, and forage.
Life in New Zealand
For Kiwis, the 'life' of a Sugar Glider in New Zealand is non-existent in a legal context. Sugar Gliders are classified as an 'unwanted organism' by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) due to their potential to establish wild populations, predate on native invertebrates and birds, compete with native species for food and habitat, and potentially introduce diseases. Therefore, it is illegal to import, possess, breed, or sell Sugar Gliders anywhere in New Zealand. Any individual found with a Sugar Glider faces significant penalties under the Biosecurity Act. Instead of considering prohibited species, New Zealanders interested in small, unique pets should explore legal alternatives such as rats, mice, guinea pigs, or even native geckos or skinks (with appropriate permits from the Department of Conservation).
Is This the Right Pet for You?
Given their prohibited status in New Zealand, a Sugar Glider is definitively not the right pet for anyone living in Aotearoa. The legal restrictions are in place to protect New Zealand's unique biodiversity and agricultural sectors from the risks posed by exotic species. For those residing in countries where Sugar Gliders are legal and considering them as pets, it's important to understand their significant commitment. They require specialised diets, large enclosures, social interaction, and nocturnal care. However, for New Zealanders, the focus must remain on legal and responsible pet ownership. There are many wonderful, legally permissible small pets available in NZ that can offer companionship and joy without compromising our precious environment.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Sugar Gliders are marsupials, meaning the females carry their young in a pouch, similar to kangaroos and koalas.
Fact 2
They are named for their preference for sugary foods like nectar and sap, and their ability to 'glide' through the air.
Fact 3
Their large eyes are an adaptation for their nocturnal lifestyle, allowing them to see well in low light conditions.
Fact 4
Sugar Gliders can communicate using a variety of vocalisations, including chirps, barks, and a distinctive 'crabbing' sound.
Fact 5
They have a prehensile tail that acts like a fifth limb, used for balance and sometimes to carry nesting materials.
Related Breeds
Peruvian Guinea Pig
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Teddy Guinea Pig
The Teddy is the crinkle-coated guinea pig: short, dense fur that stands upright rather than lying flat, giving the plush, soft-toy look behind the name. Adults weigh about 700 g to 1.2 kg, measure 20 to 30 cm and typically live 4 to 6 years, with coats in solids, agoutis and Himalayans and short, floppy ears. Temperament is friendly, docile and curious: shy at first, then content with lap time and gentle handling. The breed is thoroughly social and does best in same-sex pairs or small herds. Grooming is moderate rather than demanding, so daily care centres on hay, fresh vegetables supplying the vitamin C guinea pigs cannot make themselves, clean water, spot-cleaning, and supervised floor time in a guinea-pig-proofed space. Weekly checks cover nails, teeth and overall condition. It suits first-time small-pet keepers and families able to house at least two indoors.
Skinny Pig (Hairless Guinea Pig)
The Skinny Pig is a near-hairless guinea pig, smooth-skinned apart from a little fuzz on the muzzle, feet and legs, and it comes in colours ranging from pink to black, chocolate and spotted. Developed in Canada, it keeps the stocky build and sociable habits of a coated guinea pig: gentle, curious, rarely inclined to bite, and talkative, wheeking for food and purring when settled. Skinny Pigs live roughly four to six years and do best in pairs or small groups, with daily handling and supervised floor time outside the cage. The trade-off is climate control. Bare skin means indoor housing in a warm, draught-free room around 20-24C, out of direct sun, and frequent checks for dryness, cuts and fungal skin trouble. Like all guinea pigs they need unlimited hay and a vitamin C source. Best suited to a household ready for hands-on daily care rather than a low-effort pet.
Dutch Rabbit
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Chinchilla
The Chinchilla is a dense-furred rodent from the Andes of South America, active mainly at dawn and dusk and unusually long-lived for a small pet at fifteen to twenty years. Adults weigh roughly 400 to 800 grams, with a body of 25-35 cm plus a bushy tail, and coats running from the standard grey through beige, white, black and sapphire. Character is curious, agile and playful rather than cuddly: chinchillas would mostly rather climb, explore and chew than sit on a lap, and they turn skittish without calm, regular handling. They are social animals, usually kept in same-sex pairs or small groups. Care is specific, meaning a tall multi-level cage, a daily dust bath of ten to fifteen minutes, unlimited timothy hay with chinchilla-formulated pellets, and a room held below 25C, because heat is genuinely dangerous to them. A long-term pet for a patient household, not a starter animal.
Rex Rat
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