Editing Sugar glider (section)

== Human relations ==
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=== Conservation ===
Under the prior taxonomy, the sugar glider was not considered [[endangered species|endangered]], and its conservation rank was "Least Concern (LC)" on the [[IUCN Red List]].<ref name="iucn"/> However, with newer taxonomic studies indicating that it has a small and restricted range, it is now thought to be far more sensitive to potential threats. For example, the species' native range was hit hard by the [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season|2019-20 Australian bushfires]], which occurred just a few months prior to the publishing of the study indicating the true extent of its range. Sugar gliders use tree hollows, making them especially sensitive to intense fires.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stobo-Wilson|first1=Alyson|last2=Baker|first2=Andrew|last3=Cooper|first3=Steve|last4=Carthew|first4=Sue|last5=Cremona|first5=Teigan|title=A rare discovery: we found the sugar glider is actually three species, but one is disappearing fast|url=http://theconversation.com/a-rare-discovery-we-found-the-sugar-glider-is-actually-three-species-but-one-is-disappearing-fast-142807|access-date=2021-06-20|website=The Conversation|date=16 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> However, despite the loss of natural habitat in Australia over the last 200 years, it is adaptable and capable of living in small patches of remnant bush, particularly if it does not have to cross large expanses of cleared land to reach them. Sugar gliders may persist in areas that have undergone mild-moderate selective logging, as long as three to five hollow bearing trees are retained per [[hectare]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wormington |first1=K. |last2=Lamb |first2=D. |last3=McCallum |first3=H. |last4=Moolooney |first4=d. |title=Habitat requirements for the conservation of arboreal marsupials in dry sclerophyll forests of southeast Queensland, Australia |journal=Forest Science |date=2002 |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=217–227 |doi=10.1093/forestscience/48.2.217 }}</ref> Although not currently threatened by habitat loss, the ability of sugar gliders to forage and avoid predators successfully may be decreased in areas of high [[light pollution]].<ref name=barber-m>{{cite journal|last1=Barber-Myer|first1=SM|title=Photopollution impacts on the nocturnal behaviour of the Sugar Glider (''Petaurus breviceps'')|journal=Pacific Conservation Biology|date=2007|volume=13|issue=3|pages=171–176|doi=10.1071/PC070171}}</ref>

[[Conservation in Australia]] is enacted at the federal, state and local levels, where sugar gliders are protected as a native species. The central conservation law in Australia is the [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act]] 1999 (EPBC Act).<ref>[http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation/index.html#framework Biodiversity Conservation]. Environment.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-04-19.</ref> The [[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974]] is an example of conservation law in the state of [[South Australia]], where it is legal to keep (only) one sugar glider without a permit, provided it was acquired legally from a source with a permit. A permit is required to obtain or possess more than one glider, or if one wants to sell or give away any glider in their possession. It is illegal to capture or sell wild sugar gliders without a permit.<ref>[http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/NATIONAL%20PARKS%20AND%20WILDLIFE%20ACT%201972.aspx South Australian Legislation]. Legislation.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-04-19.</ref>

===In captivity===

In captivity, the sugar glider can suffer from [[calcium]] deficiencies if not fed an adequate diet. A lack of calcium in the diet causes the body to leach calcium from the bones, with the hind legs first to show noticeable dysfunction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hind Leg Paralysis|url=http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?HindLegParalysis|publisher=SugarGlider.com|access-date=1 November 2012}}</ref> Calcium to [[phosphorus]] ratios should be 2:1 to prevent [[hypocalcemia]], sometimes known as hind leg paralysis (HLP).<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.cvex.2007.01.001 |title=Emergency and Critical Care Procedures in Sugar Gliders (''Petaurus breviceps''), African Hedgehogs (''Atelerix albiventris''), and Prairie Dogs (''Cynomys'' spp.) |journal=Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice |volume=10 |pmid=17577562 |issue=2 |pages=533–55 |year=2007 |last1=Lennox |first1=A. M.}}</ref> Their diet should be 50% insects ([[Gut loading|gut-loaded]]) or other sources of protein, 25% fruit and 25% vegetables.<ref>Conservation and natural resources, 1995 Mammals of Victoria, ed. by Menkhorst. P., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne {{ISBN|0-19-553733-5}}</ref> Some of the more recognised diets are Bourbon's Modified Leadbeaters (BML),<ref>{{cite web|title=Original BML Diet – Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's Recipe for Sugar Gliders|url=http://www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/original-bml-diet-bourbons-modified-leadbeaters-recipe.html|publisher=Sweet-Sugar-Gliders.com|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> High Protein Wombaroo (HPW)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sugar Glider HPW Diet – High Protein Wombaroo Recipe|url=http://www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/sugar-glider-hpw-diet-high-protein-wombaroo-recipe.html|publisher=Sweet-Sugar-Gliders.com|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> and various calcium rich diets with Leadbeaters Mixture (LBM).<ref>{{cite web|title=Original Leadbeaters Diet Recipe – Taronga Zoo Diet for Sugar Gliders|url=http://www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/original-leadbeaters-diet-recipe.html#leadbeaters-feeding-instructions|publisher=Sweet-Sugar-Gliders.com|access-date=2012-11-02}}</ref> Iron storage disease ([[Iron overload|hemochromatosis]]) is another dietary problem that has been reported in captive gliders and can lead to fatal complications if not diagnosed and treated early.<ref name="Merck">{{cite web|last1=Hess|first1=Laurie|title=Overview of Sugar Gliders - Exotic and Laboratory Animals|url=https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/sugar-gliders/overview-of-sugar-gliders|website=Merck Veterinary Manual|publisher=Merck Sharp & Dohme|access-date=9 May 2018}}</ref>

A large amount of attention and [[Behavioral enrichment|environmental enrichment]] may be required for the highly social species, especially for those kept as individuals. Inadequate social interaction can lead to depression and [[List of abnormal behaviours in animals|behavioural disorders]] such as loss of appetite, irritability and self-mutilation.<ref name="Jepson(p234)">{{cite book|last1=Jepson|first1=Lance|title=Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780323394307|page=234|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fm3dCgAAQBAJ&q=tibiocarpalis&pg=PA234|language=en|chapter=7: Sugar gliders|date=2015-11-02}}</ref>
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=== As a pet ===
In several countries, the sugar glider (or what was formerly considered to be the sugar glider) is popular as an [[exotic pet]], and is sometimes referred to as a [[pocket pet]]. In Australia, there is opposition to keeping native animals as pets from Australia's largest [[wildlife rehabilitation]] organisation ([[NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service|WIRES]]),<ref>{{cite web|date=25 January 2019|title=Native Animals are not pets|url=https://www.wires.org.au/blog/native-animals-are-not-pets|access-date=10 March 2019|website=NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Blog January 2019}}</ref> and concerns from [[Conservation in Australia#Conservation organisations|Australian wildlife conservation organisations]] regarding animal welfare risks including neglect, cruelty and abandonment.<ref name="Wild42">{{cite web|title=Sugar Gliders|url=https://www.wild4life.org.au/sugar-gliders.html|access-date=10 March 2019|website=Wild4Life}}</ref>

In Australia, sugar gliders can be kept in Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. However, they are not allowed to be kept as pets in [[Western Australia]], [[New South Wales]], [[the Australian Capital Territory]], [[Queensland]] or [[Tasmania]].<ref>{{cite web|title=DixiGliders|url=http://www.dixiglen.com.au/sugargliders.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120141148/http://www.dixiglen.com.au/sugargliders.html|archive-date=20 January 2011|access-date=31 December 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.wildlife.org.au/projects/gliders/image/qgn12.pdf Wildlife – Queensland Gliders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420214506/http://wildlife.org.au/projects/gliders/image/qgn12.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://wildlife.org.au/projects/gliders/image/qgn12.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|date=20 April 2013}}. (PDF) . Retrieved 2014-04-19.</ref>

DNA analysis indicates that "the USA (sugar) glider population originates from [[West Papua (province)|West Papua, Indonesia]] with no illegal harvesting from other native areas such as Papua New Guinea or Australia".<ref name="Campbell-2019">{{cite journal|last1=Campbell|first1=Catriona D.|last2=Pecon-Slattery|first2=Jill|last3=Pollak|first3=Rebecca|last4=Joseph|first4=Leo |last5=Holleley|first5=Clare E.|date=2019-01-08|title=The origin of exotic pet sugar gliders (''Petaurus breviceps'') kept in the United States of America|journal=PeerJ|language=en |volume=7|pages=e6180|doi=10.7717/peerj.6180|issn=2167-8359|pmc=6329365|pmid=30643698 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Given that the West Papuan gliders have been tentatively classified as [[Krefft's glider]]s (albeit to be changed in the future),<ref name="ASM-PetNotatus"/> this indicates that at least the captive gliders kept in the United States are Krefft's gliders, not sugar gliders.