| The sugar glider, or Petaurus Breviceps, is a very | | | | food every day. They are not a pet that can be left |
| small tree dwelling (arboreal) marsupial. Other | | | | alone for days; they must have constant care. If you |
| marsupials include kangaroos and possums. Sugar | | | | go on vacation you will either need to bring them |
| gliders are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia | | | | with you or find a dependable person to care for |
| and Tasmania. Most marsupials carry their young in a | | | | them while you are gone. There are many proven |
| pouch where they grow and develop and sugar | | | | diets for sugar gliders and you should do research on |
| gliders are no exception. Sugar gliders got this unique | | | | each diet and decide which one is best for you. |
| name because they love sweet foods and also | | | | Some examples of great diets are BML, Darcy's diet, |
| because they can glide over 165 feet! They glide by | | | | the Sugar Glider Exotic Diet and the Suncoast diet. |
| launching themselves off trees and opening their | | | | Also, you will need to find a vet in your area that |
| gliding membrane, known as the patagium. This | | | | treats sugar gliders. Not all vets will treat sugar gliders |
| membrane stretches from their wrists to their ankles. | | | | because they are considered an exotic pet. Sugar |
| If you are thinking of purchasing one of these | | | | gliders do not require any shots, but you should bring |
| "pocket pets" there are a few things you should | | | | them to the vet for yearly checkups. Because they |
| consider. Be aware that sugar gliders can live from | | | | are considered to be exotic, some states will not |
| ten to fifteen years in captivity so be sure that you | | | | even allow them. Make sure that they are legal in |
| will be able to care for your pet that long. Also, | | | | your area. Some states in which they are illegal are |
| gliders are very social animals so if you can, you | | | | Hawaii, Alaska, California, Georgia and Massachusetts. |
| should get two. If you only get one, you will need to | | | | One of the things people love most about sugar |
| spend at least two hours a day with it. | | | | gliders is the strong bond they form with their |
| Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means they are | | | | owners. If you spend time with them every day, |
| only active at night. If you can't spend time with | | | | they will become very bonded to you and will not |
| them at night then this may not be the pet for you. | | | | want to leave you. In order to help your pet bond |
| During the day they just want to sleep. You will have | | | | with you, you can carry your glider in a bonding |
| to feed and play with them when they wake up. | | | | pouch or your pocket during the day while it sleeps. |
| Sugar gliders cannot be kept in small cages, they are | | | | Just make sure your glider can't get out. Sugar gliders |
| very active and love to jump and glide. They will | | | | are very scent oriented and will need to get used to |
| need a cage at least 18" X 18" X 36". The taller the | | | | your scent. Carrying your sugar glider around during |
| cage is the better, because they love to climb. The | | | | the day will help it get used to your scent. You can |
| wire of the cage should not be galvanized wire | | | | periodically offer your pet treats so that it associates |
| because it can cause urinary tract infections in the | | | | you with good things. At night, you can let your |
| gliders. A great type of wire to use is powder coated | | | | sugar glider out into a room that is closed off from |
| wire. The bar spacing of the wire should not be larger | | | | the rest of the house. Make sure that they cannot |
| than half an inch. When you get the cage, choose a | | | | get out of this room and that the room doesn't |
| location that isn't too noisy during the day so that | | | | contain anything that could hurt your glider. Check |
| they can sleep. Also, put the cage in a room that has | | | | the room for any holes, cover electrical sockets, |
| windows so that they know what time of the day it | | | | remove any harmful chemicals and make sure nothing |
| is. However, do not put the cage in direct sunlight. | | | | in the room can hurt them. If you don't have a safe |
| Inside the cage you will need to put a place for them | | | | room to let them out into, you can purchase a |
| to sleep. Fleece pouches are highly recommended. | | | | camping tent and play with them in there. Eventually, |
| Fleece is the safest material to use for gliders. Sugar | | | | your glider will bond with you; it just needs to learn |
| gliders have been known to get their nails caught in | | | | to trust you. |
| other materials. You should also get a variety of toys | | | | Sugar gliders make wonderful pets if you have the |
| for the cage. Some suggestions for toys are ladders, | | | | time to care for them. If you spend lots of time with |
| bells, swings, ropes and perches. Just make sure | | | | them they will form a strong bond with you different |
| none of the toys have small pieces that could be | | | | than any other animal. Sugar gliders are very playful, |
| swallowed. | | | | active and inquisitive. They are a true joy to watch. |
| Sugar gliders also have very specialized diets so | | | | Just be sure you have the time and patience for |
| make sure you will have the time to prepare their | | | | them. |