Are you looking to adopt and care for a sugar glider? Use our comprehensive guide to find out all the information you need ready to adopt a sugar glider today.
Sugar gliders are marsupial creatures that are native to parts of
Australia and Indonesia. Over the past 15 years, there has been a shift towards
introducing sugar gliders as exotic pets. They are perfect for those people who
want something a little different from a cat or a dog.
However, a sugar glider needs that extra bit of care and attention
if you are planning to have one in your home. Sugar gliders keep odd hours and
need a specialized diet, as well as the right environment and facilities.
In this article, we will explain everything there is to have a
sugar glider in your home. Sugar gliders can make excellent loving pets if you
just take the time to learn their habits and needs. Read on to find out more.
Sugar Gliders and Their Food
Some people assume that sugar gliders are herbivores and eat
vegetables and pellets, which is a common misconception.
Sugar gliders are omnivores and will typically try anything that
you give them, not that you should try this. In the wild, they have a diet that
primarily consists of trees, nectar, but also smaller animals and plants
too.
With domestic sugar gliders, they can eat fruits, vegetables, and
pellets that are made of calcium, honey, and cereals. As their name suggests
they love anything sugary and sweet, however, they should aim to have 75%
protein and 25% from fruit and vegetables.
The natural sweetness and sugar from fruits and nectar are always
the things they will try and gravitate towards, however, ensure that they are
getting a variety within their diet. And whatever you do, do not feed them
actual sugar that is found in chocolate, sweets, or confectionary items.
If you want to learn more about sugar glider
food, click the link to learn more.
Sugar Gliders and Their Home
A sugar glider's cage or home should be as large as possible and
also as tall as you can have in your home. Sugar gliders in their natural habit
use a thin membrane that they have from their wrists to their ankles to jump
and glide through the air, moving from tree to tree.
If possible you want to have the space to replicate this in your
domestic sugar glider cage. For a single sugar glider, the cage should be at
least 20"x20"x30".
The cage should have a wire mesh or one with metal bars so that
your sugar glider can't get caught on the wiring or can squeeze through.
Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals and sleep in the daytime so
they want to be in a room that is quiet and spacious, with not too much noise
or disturbances within it.
For example, if you are spending a lot of time working from home in
your living room, this wouldn't be a good space for your sugar glider. You
should also try and avoid housing them in direct sunlight and in a room where
the temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius.
Sugar gliders also need a self-contained nesting area where they
can sleep. A wooden box, a pouch, or a birdhouse are all good examples of a
nesting area they can enjoy.
Sugar gliders really enjoy lots of stimulation and toys to play
with so ensure you have plenty of balls, tunnels, ladders, and chew toys for
them to interact with.
Sugar Gliders and Socialization
Sugar gliders are naturally social and inquisitive animals, but
they take a bit of time to get used to new surroundings. If you have adopted
them from a previous home, they might be a little unsure of you or the people
in your home.
Give them space and time to settle in before overwhelming them with
lots of fuss and attention. If a sugar glider becomes stressed or agitated then
they can sometimes lash out and bite if they feel threatened.
Once they have had a bit of time to adjust you can reward them with
treats for good behavior and even buy a pouch so you can carry them around and
bond with you. Once a sugar glider is used to you and your behavior they can
be very affectionate.
Other pets do not mix well with sugar gliders and they can become
easily frightened by other animals, especially if they are much larger. It's
best to have a sugar glider as your only pet if possible.
Sugar gliders can also benefit from having another sugar glider
around for socialization. They can often get lonely if they are on their own.
However, the maximum you should have is two sugar gliders at any one time as
they can get territorial if they are in a larger group.
Sugar Gliders and Their Health
Sugar gliders can be prone to certain diseases, so it's worth
looking out for these things and making modifications to their diet and
surroundings to prevent any complications.
Constipation or diarrhea
If a sugar glider doesn't get enough fiber in its diet then it
might find it tricky to pass stools and go to the toilet. Although if they eat
too many citrus items, they could end up with diarrhea. This is potentially
life-threatening as it could cause severe dehydration in a sugar glider. Make
sure to monitor their food intake.
Calcium deficiency
If a sugar glider doesn't get enough calcium they can suffer from
the inability to move and paralysis. Make sure that your sugar glider has
plenty of food rich in calcium to prevent this.
Parasites
Sugar gliders, just like cats or dogs, can get lice, ticks, and
fleas. If you suspect that your sugar glider has any of those, consult your vet
so you can take the appropriate action required.
Thinking of Buying a Sugar Glider? Where Can I Find Out More?
We hope this article on the comprehensive guide to owning and
looking after a sugar glider has covered all of your burning questions.
With a bit of research and forward-thinking, you can easily make
the changes in your home to accommodate a sugar glider's lifestyle and help it
settle in accordingly.
Owning a sugar glider can be such a worthwhile experience, all you
need to do is learn its patterns of behavior. If you enjoyed this article,
check out our other blog posts!