What's A Sugar Glider?

You’ve come across a picture of an adorable animal with big eyes, a long tail and opposable thumbs. What is it? A strange breed of squirrel? A rodent? A mythical creature?

Nope.

What you’re looking at is a sugar glider.

Sugar gliders are tiny marsupials (think kangaroo and koala). Though they’re small, furry, long-tailed and adorable like rodents, they are actually apart of the possum family. Did I mention that they can glide as well? Yeah, they’re pretty awesome.

They are originally from Australia, certain parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. They were first brought to the USA in 1990.

(For a more in depth look at sugar glider anatomy check out this article on Glider Gossip.)

Fascinating Facts About Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders get their name from the fact that they love anything sweet and because they can glide.
Sugar gliders can live 12-15 years in captivity if fed a proper diet and well cared for.
In the wild, sugar gliders can glide over 150 feet.
Sugar gliders are omnivores, but prefer sweets above all else.
Sugar gliders are nocturnal and have eyes that are perfect for seeing in the dark.

Sugar gliders have teeth that are specifically designed to suck the liquids out of fruits and vegetables, as well as to bite through tree bark to get to the sap underneath.
Both parents are involved in rearing the young (called joeys).
Females are only pregnant for 16 days. After that, the joeys spend 60 days in the pouch before they begin to venture out. After that, they will remain with their parents for 56 – 84 days before they are ready to be on their own.
Females can have joeys in the pouch and be pregnant at the same time.
Males have three scent glands.

Sugar gliders are highly intelligent and can be taught to recognize their own names and to do simple tricks.
Sugar gliders are colony animals. In the wild, they live in groups of (up to) seven adults plus the joeys. The colony has two dominant males.
Male gliders are often dominant in their left hand, females in their right.

How Many Gliders?

Sugar gliders are colony animals. You MUST have at least two gliders. The more the merrier, in my opinion! New glider owners often start out with two and add on to their colony later. They are slightly addicting! ;)

Sugar Glider Diet

Sugar gliders require a specialized diet to give them the nutrients that they need to live happy, healthy lives. Your gliders should NOT be fed a pellet or dry diet. Avoid the Exotic Nutrition HPW diet. This is harmful to gliders.

There are several approved diets to choose from.

*For the fresh part of these diets, you can use the Critter Love Salad recipes

Treats are a great way to kickstart the bonding process with your gliders! They should be limited to 2-3 per night, depending on size. Moderation is key!

Monkey biscuits (these help with dental hygene)
Happy Glider Pellets (again, to help keep their teeth clean)
Yogurt drops/mini marshmallows/white chocolate chips (WITHOUT COCOA!)
Nuts
Dried fruit (sugar free)
Fresh fruit
Mealworms (dried or live)

You should have at least two sources of water in your cage. Water bottles can clog and stop working. They should be checked every night.

Sugar Glider Cages

Gliders are small animals, but they need a large space to explore and glider in. The bigger the cage, the better. Height is preferable to width. 2-3 gliders need a minimum of 36″h x 30″w x 20″d. The bar spacing needs to be 1/2" or smaller. Gliders are masters at squeezing through tiny spaces. Double Critter Nation is a popular cage as well as the cages made by Exotic Nutrition (one of the only safe things that they have for gliders!)

As far as bedding goes, avoid any pine or wood shavings. These can cause respiratory infections. You can use a large piece of fleece or puppy pads to catch waste.

The cage should be cleaned once a week. Don't clean everything all at once or the gliders will panic and overmark everything - your cage will stink! I typically clean the cage one day, the toys a few days later and the pouches every few weeks. That way they always have something that smells like them.

Many glider owners use water & dawn dish soap or water and distilled vinegar to keep the cages clean.

Sugar Glider Wheels

A wheel is vital to the health of your glider – both physically and mentally. Traditional rodent wheels are NOT safe. Because gliders jump and glider when they run, many have broken their backs or been otherwise injured on the center bars. There have been some horrific accidents and deaths because of unsafe wheels.

These wheels are expensive, but it is so worth it. Other wheels are unsafe, including Exotic Nutrition's Silent Runner.

Sugar Glider Toys & Accessories

Gliders love toys! You should have at least one anti-pill fleece cage set (sleeping pouches, bridges, tunnels, hides, etc.) and six or seven toys. The more the better! Foraging toys are especially helpful in stimulating your gliders' natural hunting instincts and keeping boredom at bay.

Avoid any toys with metal (this can cut your gliders or rust and cause UTI's), rope or string, exposed seams, any fabric other than anti-pill fleece, colored wood, toys with small pieces that can be easily swallowed. Many toys sold for gliders are unsafe. Avoid Exotic Nutrition.

You can find many great toys & cage sets online through Etsy or Facebook groups. Don't hesitate to ask if you are unsure if an item is safe or not.

Sugar Glider Bonding

Bonding doesn't happen overnight! Each glider is different - some bond quickly, others take months. Keep going! Don't give up. It will happen!

THIS is a great video explaining the whole bonding process and things that can make it smoother.

The way to a glider's heart is through her stomach! Treats are wonderful bonding tools
Bonding pouches. Carry your glider around during the day. It will learn your voice and your smell.
Tent Time. I recommend an hour of tent time every night. It takes your relationship to a whole new level. Plus you get to see how adorable your gliders are when they're awake and active!

Sugar Glider Vet Care

Sugar gliders are prey animals and hide their illness very well. By the time you notice symptoms, they can be on death's door. It is very important to have an exotic vet who specifically treats sugar gliders. You should also have an emergency vet who can see your glider at any hour.

Sugar gliders do not need vaccines. They aren't rodents and don't need their teeth trimmed. Avoid any vet who offers teeth trimming or splaying (to female gliders).

Gliders should have yearly check ups with stool samples to prevent/catch parasites and other illnesses.

If you have any other questions on glider care or health (or anything!), feel free to text or email me. I absolutly love talking about gliders and would love to help you in any way possible!