A SUGAR GLIDER?

Sugar Gliders (petaurus breviceps) are small arboreal (tree-dwelling) marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea. They belong to a group of animals called phalangers, which means “fingery one”. They use their fingers to hold food when they eat, very similar to the way a human holds food while eating. Gliders are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals.  

At first glance one would think that a glider is related to squirrels. However, they are actually related to the opossum family. Sugar gliders are communal mammals and will form social groups of 15 or so animals in the wild. Like other marsupials, they have large protruding eyes and pointed ears, which gives them keen "sight and sound" senses.  The female glider carries her young (joeys) in her pouch. A female glider can give birth to up to 4 joeys but it is most common for her to have two joeys at a time.

Adults weigh 4-6 ounces and measure about 10" from their nose to the tip of their tail. At least half of this length is tail! A gliders normal color is steel gray to brownish with a black stripe down the back. Sugar Gliders have a thin membrane that stretches from their wrists to their ankles called the patagium. This allows them to glide from treetop to treetop in the wild. A glider's tail is furry, not prehensile (rigid), and serves two primary purposes: as a rudder to control direction during flight, and for balance. Their gliding distances in the wild have been documented up to 150 feet! They have a supple opposable toe on each hind leg that does not have a claw. The next two digits on the hind legs are partially fused and used to brush and clean fur. Gliders use their front paws just like a human uses hands. 

Gliders have a lifespan of 5-7 years in their native habitat but have been documented to live 12-15 years in captivity. 

OVERVIEW OF BIRTHING PROCESS

Most Sugar Gliders will begin breeding when they are somewhere between 7 months to one year old. They will mate year round, provided they are fed a proper diet. They usually have 2 joeys at a time, and can give birth up to three times per year. The gestation period is 16 days. Once born the joeys are carried in the mother's pouch for 2.5 to 3 months. The male may remain with the female throughout the entire birthing process. When the joeys are out of the pouch, covered with fur, and have their eyes open, they are ready to be handled daily for small periods of time so they become comfortable with human interaction. When they have been eating solid food on their own for 2-3 weeks they are 3/4 grown, independent, and ready to wean.

PETS

Sugar Gliders make wonderful pets. They adapt well to humans and develop strong relational bonds with their owners. They are communal animals that crave attention. How close your newly adopted pet bonds to you will depend on the amount of time you spend together. A minimum of 2 hours a day is recommended but more time is always better.  Less time is required if you have a pair that can keep each other company.

HANDLING

Sugar Gliders are fragile but resilient creatures but they can be easily handled. It is recommended to give them a few minutes in the cage after they wake because this is when they usually do their duty. If you work with them daily they will become familiar with your scent and more trusting. Soon they will become your best friend. They love to be cuddled. You can carry them around the house in a loose shirt pocket or on a shoulder. Make sure they have a place to crawl into if they feel insecure or just need to rest.  

HOUSING
A. Cage requirements

Before you buy any cage, you should consider the following: food placement, bedding, shelter, and exercise area. Make sure food holders are large enough to keep food in but small enough so that your glider cannot sit in the bowl and possibly soil the food as they eat. Sugar Gliders also need a pouch to sleep in during the day. A pouch provides comfort and also protects them from the sun. This is important since prolonged exposure to sunlight can kill a Sugar Glider. Your Sugar Glider should have a cage that will allow plenty of room for exercise. The wire spacing should be 1/2"x 1/2" -or- 1/2"x1".  We recommend a minimum cage size of 24x24x36” high.  A simple rule of thumb is the taller the better. Wire should be PVC coated for ease of cleaning. There should be a wire bottom to allow droppings to fall through. Cages are available in our on-line store. You won't find a better cage at a better price anywhere! The cage location should be situated away from drafts, heating, and air-conditioning vents. The recommended room temperature is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

B. Toys
Sugar Gliders have a natural need to play. You can go to your local pet store and find bird toys or other small animal toys that your pet can climb, push, or carry around. For the best reaction, place new things high in the cage. A wodent wheel is one of their favorite exercise toys.  We offer a great selection of glider safe toys, playthings, and wodent wheels in our on-line store.  

BONDING
So you decided to get a Sugar Glider and have just brought them home, now what? Where do you begin? Everything is going to be strange and new to your Sugar Glider. He has just been whisked away from everything he knew and thrown into a brand new situation. Keeping this in mind, we suggest you place them in their new house and let them alone for a day. They will have to become used to all of the new sounds, sights, smells, and food that are now part of their home. During this time, it is recommended you try to hand feed your pet some treats to enjoy and bond (sliced grapes, meal worms, yogurt drops etc..). This will help him get used to you and your scent. At this point, the bonding process between you and your glider has begun. 

Bonding with your Sugar Glider is the easiest part of owning one. The time frame for bonding can take anywhere from immediately to a few months, depending on who you get the joey from. Generally speaking, our joeys bond instantly because they are handled daily from day one. The situation is very much different if you got a glider from a pet store, a mass breeder, or had it shipped. During the day you can pet and bond with your Sugar Glider even if it is asleep. You can take the pouch out of the cage and hold it against your chest while you pet and talk to your glider thru the pouch. Your glider will get used to your scent and touch at the same time. Just remember, patience is key. Do not force the issue. Trust takes time.

NUTRITION

Perhaps the most important thing you can provide your glider is a proper diet. A 75% fruit and vegetables, 25% protein ratio is recommended. Too much fat in a gliders diet can result in serious health problems so remember to keep fat intake to a minimum. Click here to view our three part feeding schedule and recommended glider foods.

Sugar Gliders are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. However, they can be peculiar about what they eat. They may eat a certain food one day and the next time you feed it to them they will not touch it. The following week they may eat the food item again. The bottom line is that each glider has its own personality and tastes. It will just take time to find out their likes and dis-likes. You must also supply FRESH WATER daily. As for timing, we feed our gliders once a day just before our dinner time.  Please be cautious about plants. Click this link to view a list of toxic plants to sugar gliders.

TREATS

There are many different type of treats available for gliders. We rotate between a couple yogurt drops, small bits of fruit, small bits of nuts, or a couple meal worms a day. However, exercise caution with mealworms and nuts. They are a glider favorite but have a very high fat content and should be given in moderation.