Posted: February 13, 2011, 5 a.m. EST
Q: I was told that sugar gliders sneeze while grooming themselves. Is this true? If so, why?
A: Sugar gliders are meticulous bathers. They will groom themselves before arising, upon retiring for the day and quite often during their awake hours.
Sugar gliders are often heard making a sneezing sound during their grooming ritual. They will spit into their hands and use their saliva to clean their face, nose, ears and other body parts. Grooming is a large part of their normal behavior.
It may indicate illness if you observe your sugar glider sneezing while not grooming, having unkempt fur or with discharge on its face.
The sneeze sound is another one of the many unique and endearing sounds sugar gliders make.
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