The sugar glider is
an exotic small pet. Many people acquire one because they’re so cute—for the
right person, the adorable, big-eyed sugar glider makes an excellent pet.
Sugar gliders are expensive to purchase, and because they are social and should be kept as a pair, you must consider this additional expense. They are arboreal, meaning they live in trees, so they require a lot of space in which to move around comfortably. If you cannot purchase a pair or provide the necessary space they require, the sugar glider may not be for you.
Sugar gliders measure about 12 inches (30 cm) from their nose to the tip of their tail, and about half that length is tail. They are marsupials like kangaroos and koalas and so raise their young in an external pouch. In the wild, they glide from tree to tree. Sugar gliders are nocturnal—their large eyes are adapted to help them see at night. They can live about 14 years in captivity. Because they are exotic pets, sugar gliders are not legal in all states; check with your local authorities to see if it’s legal to keep them
Sugar gliders are expensive to purchase, and because they are social and should be kept as a pair, you must consider this additional expense. They are arboreal, meaning they live in trees, so they require a lot of space in which to move around comfortably. If you cannot purchase a pair or provide the necessary space they require, the sugar glider may not be for you.
Sugar gliders measure about 12 inches (30 cm) from their nose to the tip of their tail, and about half that length is tail. They are marsupials like kangaroos and koalas and so raise their young in an external pouch. In the wild, they glide from tree to tree. Sugar gliders are nocturnal—their large eyes are adapted to help them see at night. They can live about 14 years in captivity. Because they are exotic pets, sugar gliders are not legal in all states; check with your local authorities to see if it’s legal to keep them
Natural History
Sugar Gliders are marsupials; that is their young start life off in a pouch (like a kangaroo). They originally hail from Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, and live in forests. Their name is derived from their diet (in part they feed on nectar and the sap of eucalyptus), and from the flap of skin they have between their wrists and ankles that allows them to glide between trees. They are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant material and meat - food in the wild include nectar, fruit, insects and even small birds or rodents. They live in social family units in the wild, a trait which makes them inclined to bond well with their human family. However, if they are deprived of social interaction they will not thrive (in fact they can become depressed to the point where they may die).
Sugar Gliders are marsupials; that is their young start life off in a pouch (like a kangaroo). They originally hail from Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, and live in forests. Their name is derived from their diet (in part they feed on nectar and the sap of eucalyptus), and from the flap of skin they have between their wrists and ankles that allows them to glide between trees. They are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant material and meat - food in the wild include nectar, fruit, insects and even small birds or rodents. They live in social family units in the wild, a trait which makes them inclined to bond well with their human family. However, if they are deprived of social interaction they will not thrive (in fact they can become depressed to the point where they may die).
Characteristics
Sugar gliders make endearing, playful, and entertaining pets. As mentioned above they are very social, and ideally they should be kept in pairs or groups, and in any case they should have a good deal of social interaction with their owners. They are fairly clean and do not have complex housing requirements. In addition, they tend to be fairly healthy (although it may be difficult to find an experienced vet to treat them) and can live to be 12-14 years in captivity. They do need a good amount of interaction (even if it is just riding around in a pocket all day), and aren't great housetraining candidates. Their nails are sharp and will scratch if they need to dig in while climbing or landing on you (keep them well trimmed). They also have sharp teeth and though not aggressive, will bite if they feel threatened or frightened. If not acquired tame and used to being handled, it may take a great deal of time and patience to get them to the point where they are cuddly.
Sugar gliders make endearing, playful, and entertaining pets. As mentioned above they are very social, and ideally they should be kept in pairs or groups, and in any case they should have a good deal of social interaction with their owners. They are fairly clean and do not have complex housing requirements. In addition, they tend to be fairly healthy (although it may be difficult to find an experienced vet to treat them) and can live to be 12-14 years in captivity. They do need a good amount of interaction (even if it is just riding around in a pocket all day), and aren't great housetraining candidates. Their nails are sharp and will scratch if they need to dig in while climbing or landing on you (keep them well trimmed). They also have sharp teeth and though not aggressive, will bite if they feel threatened or frightened. If not acquired tame and used to being handled, it may take a great deal of time and patience to get them to the point where they are cuddly.
Diet
Sugar Gliders do have fairly strict dietary requirements. The ideal diet for sugar glider is still a widely debated topic among keepers. For some recommended diets, see "Feeding Sugar Gliders" for more information on diets and the diet options that are recommended by others. A potential problem in sugar gliders is paralysis stemming from an imbalance of calcium to phosphorus in the diet (i.e. too low in calcium and/or high in phosphorus). This diesease (called nutritional osteodystrophy) can be prevented by proper diet and vitamin/mineral supplements.
Sugar Gliders do have fairly strict dietary requirements. The ideal diet for sugar glider is still a widely debated topic among keepers. For some recommended diets, see "Feeding Sugar Gliders" for more information on diets and the diet options that are recommended by others. A potential problem in sugar gliders is paralysis stemming from an imbalance of calcium to phosphorus in the diet (i.e. too low in calcium and/or high in phosphorus). This diesease (called nutritional osteodystrophy) can be prevented by proper diet and vitamin/mineral supplements.
Housing
As for housing, a cage of 24 by 24 inches, by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair. This is a minimum, though - bigger is better and for sugar gliders the height is more valuable than floor space. The cage wire should be no more than 1/2 inch wide, and horizontal cage bars allow climbing. The interior of the cage should provide lots of interest with toys, and exercise wheel, nest box and/or glider pouch. Branches, ropes and ladders provide lots of opportunity for climbing and exercise. For more details on cages and accessories for sugar gliders, see "Housing Sugar Gliders."
As for housing, a cage of 24 by 24 inches, by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair. This is a minimum, though - bigger is better and for sugar gliders the height is more valuable than floor space. The cage wire should be no more than 1/2 inch wide, and horizontal cage bars allow climbing. The interior of the cage should provide lots of interest with toys, and exercise wheel, nest box and/or glider pouch. Branches, ropes and ladders provide lots of opportunity for climbing and exercise. For more details on cages and accessories for sugar gliders, see "Housing Sugar Gliders."
Bonding
If a sugar glider is not tame when acquired, time, patience, and gentle frequent training sessions will eventually allow bonding of the glider to its owner. Gliders adore being near their owners, inside a shirt (hint wear two shirts and let the glider hang out between them, or else their claws will tickle or scratch!) or in a pocket. They will be lovely companions, who view you as an equal. Sugar gliders do not respond at all to punishment or domination, so treat them with respect, gentleness and understanding, and you will be rewarded with a devoted companion!
Health Care and Illness
If a sugar glider is not tame when acquired, time, patience, and gentle frequent training sessions will eventually allow bonding of the glider to its owner. Gliders adore being near their owners, inside a shirt (hint wear two shirts and let the glider hang out between them, or else their claws will tickle or scratch!) or in a pocket. They will be lovely companions, who view you as an equal. Sugar gliders do not respond at all to punishment or domination, so treat them with respect, gentleness and understanding, and you will be rewarded with a devoted companion!
Grooming
Like
other small animals, sugar gliders spend a large portion of their waking hours
grooming themselves. If you are keeping more than one, they may groom each
other. If you must bathe your sugar glider, clean him gently with a damp, warm
washcloth, and dry him completely with a second towel. Do not use shampoo. You
will have to clip your sugar glider’s nails every two weeks or so. Be sure that
you have styptic power on hand to stop the bleeding in case you cut the nail
too close. If you are uncertain how to cut your pet’s nails, ask your
veterinarian to show you how.
Health Care and Illness
Preventive care is the best way to keep your sugar glider
healthy. If you keep his cage clean and offer fresh foods and clean water, he
has a good chance of living a long and happy life.
Sugar gliders can suffer from various infections, illnesses, and injuries. One major condition that can occur is called hind leg paralysis. Symptoms include dragging one or both hind legs, difficulty staying upright, and reluctance to move. It is caused by a diet that’s too low in calcium and vitamin D3 and too high in phosphorous. A proper diet will prevent this condition from ever developing. Because sugar gliders are exotic animals who have not been kept as pets for as long as, say, rabbits or guinea pigs, you will have to search for a veterinarian who is familiar with the species.
Sugar gliders can suffer from various infections, illnesses, and injuries. One major condition that can occur is called hind leg paralysis. Symptoms include dragging one or both hind legs, difficulty staying upright, and reluctance to move. It is caused by a diet that’s too low in calcium and vitamin D3 and too high in phosphorous. A proper diet will prevent this condition from ever developing. Because sugar gliders are exotic animals who have not been kept as pets for as long as, say, rabbits or guinea pigs, you will have to search for a veterinarian who is familiar with the species.
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