FAQ
General Questions About Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are from the coastal forests of southeastern Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. These creatures also live in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and surrounding areas.
Sugar gliders make their nests inside tree holes. They line their nests with leaves and other materials to keep themselves warm.
Sugar gliders tend to bite primarily in the early stages of ownership. These animals have sharp claws and teeth to defend themselves when they feel threatened.
Sugar gliders are nocturnal creatures and do most of their activities at night. They will prefer to stay hidden in dark areas and sleep in the morning.
Sugar gliders do not fly. Sugar gliders use a skin flap called patagium to travel long distances by controlling how the air flows.
Sugar gliders can travel over 150 feet in the air using their skin flaps. They can also catch insects in mid-air.
Sugar gliders are highly social creatures. As such, they cannot live alone and should always be kept in pairs.
Sugar gliders hiss when they feel threatened or in pain. However, they also produce a hissing sound every time they spit on their hands and groom themselves.
Although their habitats are at risk due to wildfires and land clearance, sugar gliders are not endangered. They are classified as “least concern”, which means they have a stable population, and their numbers are not threatened.
Male sugar gliders develop bald spots when they reach the age of sexual maturity. These bald spots are actually scent glands that the male gliders use to mark their territories, mates, and young.
Sugar Glider As Pets
Sugar gliders have a particular diet. They need to eat a combination of insects, fruits, vegetables, nectar, vitamins, pollen, and a source of protein.
You should not give your sugar glider chocolate, coffee, tea, and other human beverages. You should also avoid feeding them milk, dairy, fruit seeds and pits, and meat.
Sugar gliders need a cage as big as possible with many items to keep them occupied. Their cages should have multiple perches, hiding places, boxes, hammocks, tunnels, pouches, and other things that could make them feel secure and comfortable.
Sugar gliders can reach a weight of one hundred grams and a length of twelve inches, from the tip of their nose to the ends of their tails. Their bodies can grow anywhere from five to six inches, while their tails add another six inches.
Sugar gliders do not need baths. They can clean and groom themselves and do not require regular bathing.
Sugar gliders can be good pets if the owners learn about their needs before getting them. They make excellent companions if their specific living needs are met.
You can own sugar gliders in the UK. However, you should note that despite their increasing popularity in the nation, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does not recommend them as pets.
Sugar gliders are illegal in several US states, including Hawaii, California, Alaska, and Pennsylvania. Some cities also ban small marsupials, such as New York, Minnesota, and St. Paul.
Sugar gliders can get along with almost any pet, aside from reptiles and large birds. For more common pet animals, sugar gliders will not instinctually smell like food to them but do refrain from just dropping them in front of aggressive cats and dogs.
Sugar gliders can typically make four primary sounds or noises. That includes barking, chirping/purring, crabbing, and hissing.
While sugar gliders can technically survive alone as long as they have food and drinks, it is not advisable. Sugar gliders are sociable animals that need companionship and affection. Have someone look after them if you are going away for a few days.
The main odor of sugar gliders is the usual waste smell, although it would not come off strong as long as their cages are clean.
Sugar gliders need toys to exercise and burn energy. Wheels, wooden toys, rope, rings, and bells are great toy choices for gliders.
Sugar gliders are excellent travel companions! They are small and do not take up a lot of space. Also, they are a lot quieter than most household pets, such as dogs and cats.
Sugar gliders, unfortunately, cannot be potty-trained. However, they are clean and predictable animals. By learning their sleep schedule, accurate potty placement will be entirely possible.
Medical Questions
Yes, but the veterinarian should be trained in taking care of exotic animals. Not all veterinary hospitals and clinics know how to treat sugar gliders, so it would be best to find a nearby clinic before getting a glider as a pet.
Sugar gliders are highly susceptible to parasites, bacterial infections, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies. They are also vulnerable to environmental stress.
You should bring your sugar glider to the vet within a few days of adoption for a complete check-up. Afterward, you should bring your pet to the clinic for annual exams.
A vet visit should cost at least $45. Neutering or spaying your sugar glider will cost around $100 to $200.
Sugar gliders can experience stress due to poor diet, loneliness, a small or overcrowded cage, boredom, excessive cold or heat, over handling, and many other reasons. Some signs that indicate stress are loss of appetite, excessive sleeping, or circling their cage.
They are not hypoallergenic. Though, even if they do have allergens on their saliva, urine, and dander that can trigger a reaction, there are still some people that do not suffer from allergies with gliders.
The average lifespan of a captive sugar glider is 10-15 years if they are taken care of properly. Their lives are typically shorter (around 3-9 years) in the wild since they face more dangers.
Malnutrition and obesity are common health issues for sugar gliders so keeping track of their weight is important. A male glider typically weighs around 100-160 grams while female gliders are between 80-130 grams.
Typical signs of illness in sugar gliders include weight and appetite loss, inactivity, and depression. Other symptoms may include lack of energy, sores, excessive shedding, bald patches, watery eyes, labored breathing, and red skin.
Generally, the appropriate diet of a sugar glider is 75% fruits and vegetables and 25% protein. You may also include treats such as live insects (mealworms, crickets, and earthworms) and unsalted or raw nuts.
Sugar gliders need to avoid soft, carbohydrate-rich diets as it could result in tartar and gum disease. You can feed them insects with hard skeletons, like mealworms and crickets, to reduce tartar buildup.
It is recommended for male sugar gliders to be neutered, especially if they live with gliders of the opposite sex. On the other hand, female sugar gliders should not be spayed since it is too invasive and dangerous.
Vaccines are not required nor needed for sugar gliders. Although, they may need annual veterinary examinations to ensure they are healthy.
Aside from certain fruits and vegetables, some plants and trees are toxic for sugar gliders. Pine, cedar, oak, fir, boxwood, and pretty much all trees that bear fruits can irritate your sugar glider’s lungs.
A personal recommendation is the fastest way to find an exotic veterinarian. Asking breeders and organizations, such as species-specific rescue groups, could also aid you in your search for a vet capable of treating your sugar glider.