Meaning Behind Your Sugar Glider's Noises

Sugar gliders are incredibly social and expressive little creatures. If you’re a sugar glider parent, you’ve probably noticed that your glider makes a wide variety of noises—each with its own meaning. Understanding these sounds can help you respond to your glider’s needs and strengthen your bond.

Common Sugar Glider Noises

Crabbing

Sounds like: A locust, with pitches that rise and then fall, often gurgling.
Reason: Crabbing is the most common sugar glider sound and can be very loud—heard across the house. It’s usually a sign of agitation, fear, or a warning call, and sometimes it’s a cry for attention.

Barking

Sounds like: A small yipping noise, similar to a chihuahua.
Reason: Barking can indicate boredom, excitement, or annoyance. Sugar gliders may also bark to call to someone—or sometimes, for no apparent reason!

Fighting

Sounds like: A mix of crabbing, barking, and general cage noise.
Reason: Often caused by annoyance, fussing, or dominance disputes. It’s common when multiple sugar gliders are interacting, especially in a new environment like the Borneo Cage or Congo Cage.

Crying

Sounds like: Whining.
Reason: Usually only made by joeys or new sugar gliders missing their family. This noise indicates distress, so extra comfort is needed.

Hissing / Sneezing

Sounds like: A short, deliberate snake-like hiss.
Reason: Sugar gliders make this sound during grooming rituals (they spit into their hands and wash themselves, similar to a cat licking its paw). However, hissing can also indicate agitation, fear, or pain. Watch their body language: a straight-up tail and hunched posture may indicate a health problem, like difficulty going to the bathroom or a respiratory infection during colder months.

Chirping / Chattering / Clicking

Sounds like: Teeth chattering mixed with low-pitched squeaks, half-purring, half-chirping—similar to guinea pigs.
Reason: These sounds indicate happiness and contentment. Your sugar glider might chirp while enjoying their favorite foods, like Zoopro Glider Essential Sugar Glider Food

Purring

Sounds like: A soft, faint purr or a very fast, low drumbeat.
Reason: Purring is a sign of relaxation and contentment. You’ll need to be close to hear it, but it’s a sure sign your sugar glider is happy.

Singing

Sounds like: A song with changing pitches, often described as a “churcling” noise.
Reason: Female sugar gliders sing to comfort their joeys. It’s a sound of love and contentment, signaling a strong bond between mother and baby.

Tips to Encourage Happy Glider Sounds

• Provide a spacious and comfortable home, like the Borneo Cage, Congo Cage, or a Starter Pack for Sugar Gliders.

• Offer nutritious foods and treats to promote contentment, such as Zoopro Glider Essential Food and Nectar Pod Foragers.

• Encourage bonding with tools like the Calming Glove or Bonding Scarf.

• Provide physical activity options like the Silent Runner Pro to reduce boredom-related noises.

By learning to interpret your sugar glider’s noises, you can better meet their needs, strengthen your bond, and enjoy a happy, healthy, and expressive little companion.