The sugar glider, or Petaurus Breviceps, is a very small tree dwelling (arboreal) marsupial. Other marsupials include kangaroos and possums. Sugar gliders are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and Tasmania. Most marsupials carry their young in a pouch where they grow and develop and sugar gliders are no exception. Sugar gliders got this unique name because they love sweet foods and also because they can glide over 165 feet! They glide by launching themselves off trees and opening their gliding membrane, known as the patagium. This membrane stretches from their wrists to their ankles.
If you are thinking of purchasing one of these "pocket pets" there are a few things you should consider. Be aware that sugar gliders can live from ten to fifteen years in captivity so be sure that you will be able to care for your pet that long. Also, gliders are very social animals so if you can, you should get two. If you only get one, you will need to spend at least two hours a day with it.
Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means they are only active at night. If you can't spend time with them at night then this may not be the pet for you. During the day they just want to sleep. You will have to feed and play with them when they wake up.
Sugar gliders cannot be kept in small cages, they are very active and love to jump and glide. They will need a cage at least 18" X 18" X 36". The taller the cage is the better, because they love to climb. The wire of the cage should not be galvanized wire because it can cause urinary tract infections in the gliders. A great type of wire to use is powder coated wire. The bar spacing of the wire should not be larger than half an inch. When you get the cage, choose a location that isn't too noisy during the day so that they can sleep. Also, put the cage in a room that has windows so that they know what time of the day it is. However, do not put the cage in direct sunlight.
Inside the cage you will need to put a place for them to sleep. Fleece pouches are highly recommended. Fleece is the safest material to use for gliders. Sugar gliders have been known to get their nails caught in other materials. You should also get a variety of toys for the cage. Some suggestions for toys are ladders, bells, swings, ropes and perches. Just make sure none of the toys have small pieces that could be swallowed.
Sugar gliders also have very specialized diets so make sure you will have the time to prepare their food every day. They are not a pet that can be left alone for days; they must have constant care. If you go on vacation you will either need to bring them with you or find a dependable person to care for them while you are gone. There are many proven diets for sugar gliders and you should do research on each diet and decide which one is best for you. Some examples of great diets are BML, Darcy's diet, the Sugar Glider Exotic Diet and the Suncoast diet.
Also, you will need to find a vet in your area that treats sugar gliders. Not all vets will treat sugar gliders because they are considered an exotic pet. Sugar gliders do not require any shots, but you should bring them to the vet for yearly checkups. Because they are considered to be exotic, some states will not even allow them. Make sure that they are legal in your area. Some states in which they are illegal are Hawaii, Alaska, California, Georgia and Massachusetts.
One of the things people love most about sugar gliders is the strong bond they form with their owners. If you spend time with them every day, they will become very bonded to you and will not want to leave you. In order to help your pet bond with you, you can carry your glider in a bonding pouch or your pocket during the day while it sleeps. Just make sure your glider can't get out. Sugar gliders are very scent oriented and will need to get used to your scent. Carrying your sugar glider around during the day will help it get used to your scent. You can periodically offer your pet treats so that it associates you with good things. At night, you can let your sugar glider out into a room that is closed off from the rest of the house. Make sure that they cannot get out of this room and that the room doesn't contain anything that could hurt your glider. Check the room for any holes, cover electrical sockets, remove any harmful chemicals and make sure nothing in the room can hurt them. If you don't have a safe room to let them out into, you can purchase a camping tent and play with them in there. Eventually, your glider will bond with you; it just needs to learn to trust you.
Sugar gliders make wonderful pets if you have the time to care for them. If you spend lots of time with them they will form a strong bond with you different than any other animal. Sugar gliders are very playful, active and inquisitive. They are a true joy to watch. Just be sure you have the time and patience for them.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Animals
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