Do sugar gliders have an odor?
Sugar gliders depend heavily on scent marking as another form of communication. Each sugar glider has its own unique “signature” scent and, in addition carries the group scent which identifies him/her as being part of a particular “family” of gliders. The sugar glider scent can be described as a sweet musk. It is heavier in their nest area and usually much less noticeable on their bodies. The dominant male in each family will use his scent gland to mark his family members by rubbing his forehead on their bodies. He will also scent mark objects in his cage. In addition to the scent gland on the forehead, male sugar gliders also have chest and urogenital scent glands. In comparison, female sugar gliders have pouch scent glands and urogenital scent glands. Keep in mind, each scent gland on a glider has a distinctive smell and consequently makes it possible for him or her to convey complex combinations of information to other gliders.
