Sugar Glider Care Information
Sugar gliders are an exotic pet that have been domesticated in North America for over 20 years.
They have specific care requirements and can make wonderful pets - assuming you are willing and able to meet their specific needs.
Sugar gliders are approximately 4 to 7 inches in length , plus a tail that is slightly longer than their body.
They typically weigh around 80-160 grams as adults.
Enclosures
Sugar gliders require a very large cage in relation to their size. The smallest cage for a pair of gliders would be 18x30x36. Large cages are better, taller is better then wider.
Cages can’t have bar spacing any larger than .5 inch , anything larger and they can squeeze through the bars and escape.
Over-stuffing a cage with toys is not recommended, allow them enough interactive toys to keep their minds working, and enough room for exercise.
Diet
Diet is one of the most argued over topics- everyone believes the diet they are feeding their fuzzbutts is the best.
I would suggest you do your own research, review all of the staple diets, & pick the one you believe will work best for you & your fuzzbutts.
Sometimes it can take trying a few of the diets to find which one they will eat.
Captive sugar gliders are prone to Hind Leg Paralysis (HLP) & Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), veterinarians & others studying sugar gliders have found to help prevent these two health issues in sugar gliders, a 2:1 calcium: phosphorus ratio needs to be maintained in their diets.
All of these diets provide what is needed nutritionally and do all of the calculations for you.
OHPW GOHPW
https://thepamperedglider.com/feeding/
Salad Mixes for OHPW/GOHPW
https://thepamperedglider.com/salad-mixes/
BML
http://bmldiet.com/bml-recipe.html
TPG
https://www.thepetglider.com/pages/tpg-diet
HSG
Common Asked Questions
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Do Sugar Gliders Make Good Pets? -
Sugar gliders are great pets for the right owner. Before making your decision, spend a few hours researching sugar glider care and dietary needs. You should also find out if there are exotic animal veterinarians located near you who can provide care for these types of pets.
Sugar gliders are incredibly active and social animals, They must be kept in pairs, or more.
Owners need to ensure they're giving their new pets enough space to climb, run, jump, and glide. Without adequate exercise, sugar gliders quickly become depressed and lethargic.
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What Is The Life Span Of A Sugar Glider? -
Sugar gliders can live up to 10-15 years in captivity. Owning a sugar glider is a long term commitment that should not be taken lightly.
Are They Good Pets For Young Children -
Sugar gliders are not an ideal pet for young children. Sugar gliders move quickly and can easily be injured or lost if it is dropped by a child. Sugar gliders, even well-bonded and friendly gliders, will bite. Their toenails become very sharp and hurt the sensitive skin of children. Being nocturnal, they will be asleep during the day making them a boring pet for kids.
Are They Good With My Other Pets? -
Sugar gliders can coexist in the same household with other pets. It is NOT recommended to allow them to interact together. Allowing your sugar glider to “play” with other pets can be fatal for your sugar glider. Accidents can happen in an instant due to the prey instinct of cats and dogs. A simple mis-step of a dog could cause debilitating or fatal injuries to a sugar glider.
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Do They Have A Smell? -
Sugar gliders do have a smell , many people find it mild and in no way offensive, others may have an issue with it, especially if they have a heightened sense of smell.
Do Sugar Gliders Like to be Held? -
Under the right circumstances, sugar gliders bond deeply with their owners and love to be held, but the sugar glider bonding process takes time, patience, and regular human interaction.
Since sugar gliders are nocturnal animals and spend most of their days snuggled into a sleeping pouch, one of the easiest ways to bond with your sugar gliders is to carry them around during the day in a bonding pouch or bonding sweatshirt.
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Additional Links
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Glider Nursery -
Glidernursery.com
YouTube -
Sugar Glider Diaries
Canadian Sugar Gliders -
https://canadiansugargliders.com/
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