CONGRATULATIONS on your new pet sugar glider! Sugar Glider are unique small pets. Here is a simple guide with some facts and instructions on how to care properly for your sugar glider. (P.S. These are not kept in store as they are very sensitive to noise and disruption, so they have to be booked.)

LIFE SPAN: Between 10 – 12 years.

NATURE: Only active at night, very agile and busy creatures. They are communal creatures and prefer to have a mate. They breed very easily, if kept in pairs. They are very timid and do not trust easily. They take a while to warm up to humans and prefer to jump around and play. They can be quite noisy making a variety of crabby noises.

DIET: This staple diet recipe is one of many recommended by various sugar glider experts. There are others that can be found online if you prefer.

1 x Boiled egg

¼ cup of pure apple juice

½ cup of pure honey

1 x large jar of Chicken and veg baby purity.

1 tbs of Calcium powder (Without D3)

2 small tubs of blueberry or banana yoghurt

½ cup of Mixed Grain baby cereal or Marmoset porridge.

Blend all the ingredients together into a runny paste.

Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.

Each sugar glider should get 1 ice cube block size approx. 15ml staple diet mix per meal, as well as a tablespoon of mixed veg and fruit. Check online for a list of safe fruits and vegetables that sugar gliders may eat.As treats you can offer them mealworms, crickets, yoghurt drops, sugar glider cookies, etc.

 

HABITAT: Sugar gliders need a suitable size cage with hanging fleece hides and toys. They need pouch type hides to sleep in, as well as a bowl for food and water. Water bottles are preferable as they tend to tip bowls over. The cage should have space for them to jump around from one area to another.

CARE: Sugar glider cages should be cleaned weekly to avoid the smell and accumulation of decaying food. Fleece hides can be washed with a F10 solution and dried to avoid smells. Clean food and water should be available at all times.

Various toys and treats are available for sugar gliders. There are also running wheels that they enjoy using. When handling your sugar glider be gentle and try not to hold them too high above the ground as they are quite quick and could fall and injure themselves. They jump around a lot and will “glide” short distances but could get injured if too high up.

Gliders should not be handled during the day as it can cause them stress and they will lose fur and feel unwell. Early evening is the best time to let your glider interact with you.

Bathing is not recommended as they don’t tolerate water too well. Karbadust is suitable to use on your sugar glider should it be itching from mites or fleas. Only sprinkle it lightly over cage, bedding and glider.

If at any time your glider looks unwell or is not eating or drinking, a vet can assist you in diagnosing what could be the problem. They are in general quite easy to keep and take care of.

Enjoy your new pet and be kind!

~Author: Chene Bush