What are the basic needs of Sugar Gliders???

Question

What are the basic needs of Sugar Gliders???

Answer 1

Like many animals from that part of the world, they are marsupials, similar in size to our American flying squirrel (but much cuter).  At the moment they are considered an "exotic" in the U.S., and a federal license is required to sell them. Unfortunately, it is illegal to even own them in some states, notably California. Before purchasing a glider, it would be a good idea to check with the USDA's Animal Care Sector Office for your state and make sure of the laws in your area.

The diet of wild sugar gliders consists mainly of sap, nectar, bugs, and small animals such as baby birds. They are nocturnal, so as pets they're most fun late in the evening and early in the morning, and they are capable of making an interesting variety of sounds. They are very clean little animals, and although they do have their own unique scents, they don't smell bad if their diet is correct. There are also some health problems that glider owners should be aware of.

Sugar Gliders are community dwellers in nature. They have a real, physical need for close companionship of their own kind, and should not be kept singly. Sugar gliders are prone to some conditions that cause paralysis of the hind end, causing them to drag their back legs, and ultimately leading to death. Often it seems to be related to calcium deficiency, which causes loss of bone mass and broken bones (particularly the hips). It can also happen in times of stress, such as when a glider moves to a new home.  Herniated or Inverted Pouch, Blindness.

Adult gliders can tolerate a temperature range of 64° to 88°F (18°-31°C). At the low end of this range they definitely need warm bedding and a small enclosed space where they can cuddle to keep warm. The normal household is at the cool end of the spectrum for gliders, so make sure they can stay warm! I keep my glider room warmer than the rest of the house by using a thermostat-controlled space heater. It's usually about 80°F in there.

Natural branches or rope perches for climbing are good additions to your cage, but make sure any branches you use are free of pesticides and are not from a plant that could be toxic. Fruit tree branches are good, and I've also used oak successfully. If you can find the large size exercise wheel made for guinea pigs, your gliders might learn to use it for exercise, but be sure not to get the smaller hamster size, as gliders can get their long tails caught in those, causing some serious injuries. Quality Cage also makes a large exercise wheel from the same materials as their cage; I like to line them with plastic needlepoint canvas (attached with zip ties) to prevent leg injuries. (It's not on their website so you'll have to ask for it.)

The 4 most important things to remember in choosing a diet for your gliders are:

At least 25% protein; I think more is probably better

Water

Calcium!

Limit fat and sweets

Any feeding dishes that stay in the cage for non-perishable foods should be small enough not to tempt the gliders to sit in them while they eat, so as to avoid soiling their food. You can buy disposable paper trays in bulk from wholesale grocery stores so you don't have to wash dishes every night - this is especially helpful if you have a lot of gliders.

Be sure to privide a dark place for your gliders to sleep.