The primary reason sugar gliders fly to your hands is rooted in their natural instincts. Before being domesticated as pets, sugar gliders lived in the wild, where they developed the habit of gliding between trees to forage for food. This innate behavior translates into a fondness for flying to their owners' hands when kept as pets, serving as a unique form of play and interaction with their human companions.
Sugar gliders are well-known marsupials native to Australia. They spend most of their time in trees and possess a gliding membrane that extends from their wrists to their ankles, aiding them in navigating through the forest canopy. Their high food demands require large forest areas to ensure sufficient resources. To traverse the trees efficiently in search of sustenance, sugar gliders have evolved the remarkable ability to glide from tree to tree. Over millennia, their skin between their front and hind legs has become wide and flexible, forming a membrane that allows them to glide through the air like 'little paratroopers' when they launch using their hind legs. Thus, when kept as pets, their gliding instinct manifests itself in the act of flying to their owners' hands as a particular way of entertainment and bonding.
How to Train Sugar Gliders to Fly to Your Hands
Training should begin around the time a sugar glider reaches four months old. At this age, their physical abilities and psychological stability are better developed, making training more effective. During training, you can entice them by placing treats such as small pieces of bread or a bit of honey on your hand. This will encourage them to fly back to you. You can start by gently tossing the sugar glider into the air and then catching it when it lands. Through repetitive exercises, they will master gliding and build a good bond with you. It is crucial, however, to catch your sugar glider safely during training. Failure to catch them could result in injury or even death.