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The Sugar Glider is a gentle, social marsupial from Southern Australia. They glide from tree to tree using a membrane that stretches from their ankles to their wrists. Sugar gliders are a social animal living in the wild in colonies of usually 6 to up to 40 animals. Since they are a social animal they should not be raised as a single pet. They are much healthier and happier when raised in a group. Sugar gliders are affectionate and very intelligent. They make an excellent pet for the right family. Just like any other exotic pet they have some very special needs.
Sugar gliders love human attention and they love to play. You need to bond with the little ones when you bring them home. Since they sleep in the daytime, you can bond with them by letting them sleep in your pocket or even a fanny pack, facing front, mainly so you don't forget and sit on it! Sugar gliders will form very strong bonds with their owners. Scent is important to sugar gliders; they use it in the wild to recognize their groups. Scent has influence in the bonding process as well. Wearing gloves will defeat your purpose in the bonding process. Play with them in the evening and at night. They love hide and go seek. They enjoy "finger" wrestling with you.
Please buy them from a reputable breeder. You can expect to pay from $200 to $400 for them. I recommend starting with a baby since they do form much stronger bonds with you.
Dietary Requirements
They can not consume fat. The majority of their diet is fruit and vegetables (75%). They should also receive protein (25%)
These are the foods that sugar gliders like: strawberries, cantaloupe fruit jams, raisins, carrots, peas, low-fat turkey and low-fat deli ham, dried fruit, apricots, peaches, pineapple, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, fruit juices, papaya, grapes, peaches, honey dew melon, pears, blueberries, corn, oranges, yams, sweet potatoes, peanuts, squash, hard boiled eggs, Paw Paws, high protein baby cereal, assorted baby foods, low-fat yogurt, mealworms, small amounts of honey, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, small amounts of Iams cat food, and very small amounts of dog kibble.
Much of their fluid in take is from the fruit in the wild. The sugar glider must have fresh water available.
Vitamin deficiency can be a problem with sugar gliders. You should offer a liquid supplement in their drinking water or on their food.
Deviating from this diet, 75%/25% can be fatal to the sugar glider. Avoid preservatives, artificial flavors and colors. The sugar glider's diet is very specialized and can be quite expensive to feed, something to take into serious consideration before you decide to bring home a sugar glider.
Housing
It is not a good idea to let your little sugar gliders to be free in a house with out strict supervision. They can get injured. The little darlings also like to chew things up like your drapes, furniture and any other chewable things in your house. Don't forget that the glider is nocturnal. Sugar Gliders cannot be outside in the direct sun. The sun will injure their eyes severely.
Cages need to be good sized. They can be bought or home made. Homemade cages are relatively easy to build. The cage should be weld wire because sugar gliders like to climb. The size of the mesh needs to be small. A cage should be no smaller that 24" inches in diameter and 38" tall for any more than two animals. Bigger is better.
Place live fruit tree branches in their cage, and replace them frequently. This is for two purposes: One is for climbing. The other reason they need to chew to keep their teeth healthy. Do not use any branches that have been sprayed!
Provide a nesting box for them to sleep in the daytime, for their comfort and to keep them out of the daylight. Just a couple tissues (unscented) make a great pillow and blanket.
Bedding is a bit tricky, from all the fruit their little feet can be sticky. Corncob bedding works pretty good. Cedar is harmful, as is pine.
Legality of Sugar Gliders in the US
I say in the US because I don't know what agency to contact outside of the United States. To find out if it legal to own a sugar glider in the US, contact the US Dept of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). Inquire if you must have a license.
This is a general overview to give you information about the Sugar Glider. Before you decide to bring one into your home please research them completely and find a vet that is knowledgeable.
Spend lots of time with your Sugar glider and they will love to be with you. They will literally crave your attention. As you have seen they can be very expensive and are time intensive. Sugar gliders are sweet animals and make wonderful pets for the right person.
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