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What is a Sugar Glider?
Sugar Gliders are
small mammals native to the rainforests of Australia, New
Zealand and Indonesia. Weighing between 90-150 grams and
measuring 6-8 inches in length they are common household pets.
They can fit in to your pocket and can be easily carried around
on your palm. They belong to the same family as a Kangaroo or a
Koala bear. These cute marsupials have been domesticated and
bred as popular pets in the USA for the past 15 years or so.
Their strong
preference for sweet tree saps, nectar, pollen, fruits, and
vegetables as well as their ability to glide from tree to tree
has earned them the title of “Sugar Gliders”. Their gliding
ability comes from one particular distinctive feature of their
anatomy. The skin membranes that extend from their fore limbs
back to the toes of the hind legs form an aerodynamic surface
that enable them to glide similarly to a North American flying
squirrel.
In the wild,
Sugar Gliders are tree-dwelling creatures and typically live in
colonies of 10-15. Sugar Gliders are scientifically named as
Petauraus breviceps and zoologists have classified them as
follows: Class:
Mammalia / Infraclass: Marsupialia / Order: Diprotodontia /
Suborder: Phalangerida / Family: Petauridae / Genus: Petaurus /
Species: P. Breviceps.
Do Sugar Gliders make good pets?
Sugar Gliders should not be mistaken for rodents
because of their initial outward appearance. They are
marsupials and have shown to be very appropriate for
domestication. Sugar Gliders make excellent pets. They are
known to bond well with human beings – and are typically not a
one-person animal. Their intelligence levels are often reputed
to be on par with that of dogs. With proper training they learn
to respond to their names and even do tricks. They have the
tendency to keep themselves impeccably clean and do not require
bathing. A good pelleted-diet also ensures that Sugar Gliders
do not smell bad. In captivity, Sugar Gliders typically live
for 12-15 years.
As
household pets, rodents such as: mice, hamsters, gerbils,
ferrets etc. present a destructive problem to their owners.
Since a rodent’s teeth constantly grow, they need to chew on
things continually. Sugar Gliders are not rodents, and
therefore do not have this destructive nature.
Probably the most interesting quality that separates Sugar
Gliders from any other “rodent” type of pet is how deeply they
bond with their owners. Once bonded, these adorable pets can be
carried almost anywhere in pockets. Since they are
instinctively inclined to be near their “families”, they make
excellent pets for senior citizens and even handicapped
individuals who are looking for an affectionate, loving
companion.
Will my Sugar Gliders get along
with my other pets?
Studies have shown that most people who have
Sugar Gliders also have other common household pets such as
cats, dogs, and birds. When introduced properly to each other
over time, in most cases they end up becoming life-long
companions. This is due to the fact that Sugar Gliders are
marsupials – not rodents (such as squirrels, mice, rabbits,
etc.) – and therefore they do not instinctively smell like prey
to most cats and dogs.
Some more exotic pets, (such as hawks, owls, and
snakes), will never bond with Sugar Gliders – and vice versa.
As is the case when introducing any pets to each
other, it’s always best to go slow and let them get used to each
other over time. Most reputable breeders will provide
step-by-step instructions on exactly how to safely introduce
them to your other pets.
Do I have to get two
Sugar Gliders?
One of the most common misconceptions about Sugar
Gliders is that they will die if you only get one. Sugar
Gliders are social animals – and while they instinctively love
contact and interaction – it is rare that they will actually
“die” of loneliness unless completely neglected by their
owners.
Any animal is always happier if they have a
playmate of their own kind, so whenever possible, it is best to
get two. However, in most cases they will be just as happy
playing with their owners – or other pets in the home.
What's the difference between male and female
Sugar Gliders?
Sugar Gliders typically do not exhibit some of
the gender differences of many other household pets. For
example, unlike ferrets, female Gliders do not normally become
aggressive when reaching puberty.
Upon reaching adulthood, male Sugar Gliders will
“mark” their territory in a fashion similar to other household
pets. However, when fed the correct pelleted diet, this usually
does not result in a noticeable smell.
Female Gliders will go into heat twice a year –
but there are no outward manifestations such as spotting or
odor.
Males and females typically have equally sweet
dispositions.
If I get two Sugar Gliders,
should I get a boy and a girl?
Sugar Gliders are extremely social animals – and
two girls… two boys… or any number of each will usually get
along well in the same cage. However, just as is the case with
cats and dogs, a Sugar Glider’s personality can – and usually
does – change after it has had babies.
For this reason, when purchasing multiple babies,
it is always recommended to get the same sex. Alternatively –
if getting a boy and a girl – any future temperament issues can
be avoided by simply neutering the male. Many states have
recently changed their laws regarding most household pets
(including cats and dogs); requiring that all male animals are
neutered prior to purchase. Any reputable, USDA Licensed
Breeder can inform you of the laws in your area.
If getting a boy and a girl, the best time to
neuter the male is before 4 months of age.
Does it take a long time for
Sugar Gliders to bond?
As no two children are same, no two baby Sugar
Gliders bond at exactly the same rate. One may take longer and
another may bond quickly. In some cases, bonding can happen
within a few days – but in most situations, it takes a few weeks
for a young Joey to become completely bonded to its owners.
The most crucial factor in bonding is the age of
the Sugar Glider. The ideal age to begin the bonding process is
about 8-12 weeks out of the mother’s pouch. In the wild, as
soon as they come out of the pouch, they instinctively desire to
bond with other Sugar Gliders in the colony. This same process
happens at home with whoever – or whatever – they are surrounded
by; including humans and even other household pets such as cats
and dogs. Although they will naturally bond with an entire
group, like most pets, they form the strongest bond with the
person or pet with whom they have maximum contact.
Bonding with a baby Sugar Glider is not an
overly-consuming process; however it does require some time and
effort. The majority of the bonding process happens passively
via their keen sense of smell. Any reputable, USDA licensed
breeder should be able to provide step-by-step instructions on
how to make this process fun and enjoyable.
The bonding process does require time, but it’s a
small investment in return for years of love, affection, and
companionship.
Is it expensive to feed
Sugar Gliders?
One of the most interesting things about Sugar
Gliders is the way they eat. Instead of having feet, Sugar
gliders have four hands and on each hand there is an opposable
thumb, similar to us. When they eat it will not escape your
notice how similar they are to humans. Their method of holding
food and the quick mouth movements always make for an
entertaining scene.
Feeding Sugar Gliders is not an expensive,
complicated process. In recent years, Veterinary science has
come out with commercially-available pelleted foods which makes
the process of feeding and caring for Sugar Gliders very similar
to that of a cat or dog. The primary difference is that feeding
Sugar Gliders is typically much less expensive than even the
smallest cat or dog.
Although many internet websites still claim
pelleted foods are not good for Sugar Gliders, recent Veterinary
studies have shown that they are actually much better than the
older, more complicated diets. Any reputable, USDA Licensed
Breeder will be able to provide you with detailed dietary
instructions to keep your Gliders happy and healthy.
Can Sugar Gliders be potty-trained?
Sugar Gliders cannot be “potty-trained” in the
normal sense of the words. However, the potty habits of Sugar
Gliders are quite predictable – and they are very clean little
animals which never require bathing. Any reputable, USDA
Licensed Breeder will be able to give you detailed instructions
on how to master your Sugar Glider’s bathroom habits – making
them on par with most other household pets.
What about Vet care?
Sugar Gliders do not require the same level of
veterinary care as dogs and cats. For example, they do not
require vaccinations – since they have not been shown to carry
any illnesses such as rabies, parvo, etc. They also require no
repetitive care for conditions such as heartworms, fleas, etc.
Due to their rise in popularity as house pets
over the last few years, most Veterinarians which already work
on other small mammals such as hamsters, gerbils, etc. can
easily work on Sugar Gliders.
Do
Sugar Gliders stink?
When fed older, outdated diets, (often consisting
of insects, honey, meat, eggs, etc.), Sugar Gliders can develop
a smell similar to that of a ferret. The advent of commercial
pelleted foods has reduced this issue, and some advanced foods
even contain Veterinary approved ingredients which leave the
animal with no detectable smell.
Are Sugar Gliders noisy?
Sugar Gliders are capable of making several
unique sounds; including barking and chattering. However, in
most cases, they only exhibit these behaviors during periods of
extreme stress or mistreatment.
Sugar Gliders are nocturnal by nature, and
although they can be put on any “schedule”, they will still
prefer to play in their cage at night. When playing, they are
typically no more or less noisy than other traditional house
pets.
However, since they are very intelligent little
creatures, they will make the most of any toys you give them.
Sugar Gliders will play with almost any type of pet or baby
toy. Therefore, it’s best to remove any ‘noisemakers’ ahead of
time if you prefer quiet surroundings.
What if I travel a lot?
Since Sugar Gliders are so small and compact,
most owners praise how well they travel as a family pet. If you
are going on an extended trip and are unable to take them with
you; the most preferable option is simply to take their cage
over to a friend’s home where they can interact with others and
enjoy themselves while you are gone.
What kind of cage do Sugar Gliders need?
One common misconception about Sugar Gliders is
that they require big cages. Sugar Gliders love to jump and
play. However, for the first few months in their new home, they
will be just learning these things and a big cage is not
advisable. Recent Veterinary studies have actually shown that
the ideal cage size for up to two adult Sugar Gliders is around
2ft x 2ft x 2ft. As adults, a larger cage is fine, but be
careful to only use a quality cage in which all the surfaces are
coated in a very high-grade epoxy finish. Sugar Gliders are
susceptible to zinc-poisoning; which comes from low-grade cages.
How big are Sugar Gliders?
Baby
Sugar Gliders are born about the size of a grain of rice, and
the body of an adult Glider can grow up to 5-7 inches (with the
tail measuring another 5-7 inches).
When
it comes to birth and childhood, there are a lot of similarities
between a baby Kangaroo and a baby Sugar Glider. Both are called
“Joeys” at their birth and both spend the first weeks of their
lives in their mothers’ pouches. This desire to be “in the
pouch” continues throughout their entire lives, and this is the
reason why they love hanging out in shirt pockets, and other
similar spaces.
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