Understanding Sugar Glider Sounds

Understanding Sugar Glider Sounds

Let's explore the different sounds Sugar Gliders make and what they typically mean.

Key Sugar Glider Sounds

Sugar Gliders primarily make four noises:

  1. Crabbing
  2. Barking
  3. Chattering or Chirping
  4. Hissing

Crabbing

Crabbing is the most common sound Sugar Gliders make when scared. This is often the very first sound we hear from a new pet and is often accompanied by a stance that looks like a bear standing on its back legs (hence the nickname “Sugar Bears”). 

These theatrics are their attempt  to make themselves look bigger and sound scary to ward off would-be attackers in the wild. We might also hear this noise when they are generally annoyed or bickering amongst each other. 

Barking

Barking can indicate various things:

  1. Warning: In the wild, Sugar Gliders bark to alert others of danger. At home, they may bark if they sense an unfamiliar person, animal, or noise.
  2. Attention or Communication: Sugar Gliders also bark to communicate with their owners or other gliders. This doesn't necessarily mean they are lonely, as it can be a way of talking or locating each other in the dark.

We have some great stories from our customers as well as our own colonies about some of the situations these intelligent animals have alerted their people to, which range from fire to nosy neighbors!

One of our own pets was barking incessantly one night and after a quick check, I realized the water bottle that had just been refilled that morning was empty. It had developed a leak and my little guy was reporting it. 

Barking is always worth checking out, but if you find they are barking incessantly, we have plenty of experience and suggestions to address the behavior. Just contact the Pocket Pets team with your questions.


Chattering or Chirping

Chattering or chirping is usually an endearing sound, often indicating contentment. Some people also refer to it as “purring” but it's typically a series of clicks, squeaks, or both that is most often heard during or just after eating, grooming each other, playing and even in their sleep!

Once they are bonded to people, Sugar Gliders will also make this sound while being held or tucking themselves into their favorite spot in your shirt or pouch. 

Hissing

Hissing, or sneezing, is almost always a sound you hear while the animals are grooming themselves. Sugar Gliders use saliva and their little hands to get the job done, so you will hear this hissing and see their hands moving from their face to body repetitively. 

Hissing can also occur during interactions between gliders, usually while playing and wrestling, and can often be a precursor to crabbing if things are getting a little too rough.

This vocalization is the one that causes the most confusion and by far the one we get the most questions about, for good reason. 

A glider’s sneeze sounds very similar to hissing, and by itself on occasion, it isn’t anything to worry about. If it’s frequent, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, it can indicate illness. 

Some gliders also hiss a bit when they eliminate, but if they normally don’t or it’s louder and longer than usual and accompanied by straining or excessive grooming, it can indicate pain and difficulty. When in doubt, reach out and we’ll do our best to help you decipher what might be going on.

Speaking Your Sugar Glider’s Language

These explanations serve as a guide to understanding your Sugar Glider's sounds. As you spend more time with your pet, you'll learn their individual idiosyncrasies with sounds and have a better idea of what they are trying to communicate. 

If you hear a sound you are unfamiliar with or see any signs of illness or distress that accompany those sounds, reach out to an expert or make an appointment with a veterinarian.

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