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Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps). |
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So you want a Sugar Glider? You’ve seen pictures of them or your friend has one and your first reaction would be “That is so cute, I want one!!” Well let me just correct you there, one glider will become very unhappy and may start to overgroom or in severe cases self mutilate, you cannot offer one glider the kind of company it really needs. You’ve read how Gliders make wonderful, friendly, even affectionate pets, but have you read the other threads referring to them as ‘fluffy cobra’s’, have you read how these cute little animals that weigh no more than 150g strike fear into the hearts of full grown men?? Are you still going to want to love and look after an animal that crabs and lunges at you all teeth and claws when you peep into their nest box or pouch? Housing Gliders need a large cage, at least 4ft high by 2ft width by 2ft depth - that is the minimum requirement! They need plenty of enrichment and exercise, toys and a Wodent Wheel. For two gliders, two sleeping quarters should be available. They need to be kept between 18-30 degrees celcius and out of draughts. Many people let their gliders play out of the cage, but to do this you have to be 100% sure they cannot escape, bearing in mind they can squeeze through a 1 inch square gap. How do you plan on getting a fluffy cobra back into the cage after playtime? They’ll urinate and poop anywhere, they’re not fussy, this includes on you, on electrical equipment and on your bed or sofa. They have no control over this so if you’re not poop tolerant don’t even consider this as the ideal pet for you!!! Diet Sugar Gliders are exotic pets and they need an exotic diet. Diet is a much debated topic often causing heated arguments between friends and strangers alike. One thing you will notice is that the UK and the US will give you VERY different recommendations. Whilst in the US they feed a Leadbeaters modification, in the UK many people have tried and dismissed this as a suitable diet. But they’re your gliders, so it’s your decision, just bear in mind make the wrong decision and your glider’s health is at risk!! A healthy diet should contain: The supplementation and enrichment part of the diet should contain nectar drinks, bee pollen and acacia gum as well as a general all round vitamin powder.
Gliders are not an easy way to make fast money! The diet is complicated and they are sensitive animals. A change in the environment (amongst other things) can cause a pregnant mother to reject, kill and/or cannibalise her young. It’s not pleasant finding a little half eaten body that has been thrown out of the nest. But what would you do if the youngster was still alive? Would you have the time and energy to hand rear a joey, bearing in mind a new out of pouch joey needs feeding every 2 hours, and the first few feeds can take upto an hour? How would you find good homes for the young or would you just put them in an unregulated classified section? Would you have time to handle the young every night - even when mum and dad are very protective of their baby? Handling is very important to ensure the joey will grow up to be a good pet and not a fluffy cobra! Responsible people will have either a same sex pair or have their male neutered. General Health The main problem we see with gliders is a condition called Hind Leg Paralysis, it is caused mainly by calcium deficiency. It’s very nasty, and if not caught soon enough can be fatal. Other problems in gliders include, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and blockages, tooth abssess (NOT Lumpy Jaw), and constipation.
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