Sugar Glider Husbandry
Quick Facts
Life span: 7-10 years
Weaning age: 3-4 months
Gestation: 16 days
Sexual maturity: 8-14 months
Caging: Due to their extremely active nature, sugar gliders should have the largest cage possible. Minimum cage size is 36 X 24 X 36 inches. Cages should be made of wire mesh to allow for proper ventilation. Wire spacing should be no larger than 1.0 X 2.5 inches wide. Several different food and water bowls should be placed throughout the cage. Perches should be made from untreated wood or non toxic plants.
Environment: Adequate climbing branches of different diameters should be provided to allow for proper exercise and toys should be offered for enrichment. A nest box or sleeping area should also be provided high in the cage to allow for rest during the day. The ideal temperature range is between 75-80 F.
Bedding: Bedding material should be a clean, nontoxic, absorbent material that may be replaced easily. Paper based bedding is preferred over wood chips as cedar and pine chips can lead to respiratory irritation. The bedding in the nest boxes needs to be cleaned at least once a week to prevent organic waste buildup.
Exercise: Exercise is highly recommended. Branches, a plastic wheel with a closed bottom, and some bird toys may be used to promote an active lifestyle. Constant supervision is highly recommended when out of the cage.
Behavior
- Sugar gliders are nocturnal and spend most of the day sleeping.
- Sugar gliders are very social animals and should not be kept as a solitary pet. Self mutilation and depression will develop without significant social interaction.
- Animals that are socialized at a very young age and are handled frequently make the best companion animals.
- Sugar gliders are responsive and trusting, but may bite when provoked or handled during the day.
Captive diet: Several commercial diets are available and should encompass at least 50% of the daily dietary intake. Supplement commercial diets with a variety of other foods including insects, eggs, pinkie mice and pelleted bird food (you can dribble a small amount of honey over the pellets to encourage the glider to eat them). Fruits such as berries, melon, kiwi, papaya and mango should also make up a portion of the diet. Calcium deficiency is common in gliders so the quality of the food you feed is very important.
Water: Water should be available at all times and changed daily. Most gliders will learn to drink from sipper bottles.
Handling
- Care must be taken as these animals may bite when agitated or disturbed. When well socialized and handled frequently, these animals may be docile and easy to work with.
- Since sugar gliders are usually very active during the evening hours, examination should be done early in the day when they are normally less active and easier to restrain. Use a towel or washcloth to restrain the glider.
- Diagnostic sampling and full examination are best done under isofluorane anesthesia.
Common Disease Conditions
- Obesity: Obesity is common with captive sugar gliders and may lead to cardiac and respiratory problems. To prevent this, food must be rationed and adequate exercise provided to prevent obesity. Treatment involves elimination of high fat diets and gradual weight loss. Weight loss may be monitored using an accurate gram scale.
- Malnutrition/Metabolic Bone Disease: This condition is a common cause of hind leg paralysis in sugar gliders and is mainly the result of inadequate calcium intake or improper calcium/phosphorus balance in the diet. Treatment involves supportive care and correction of underlying dietary issues.
- Dental Disease: Dental tartar and periodontal disease is common in sugar gliders when they are provided a soft, high carbohydrate diet. Advanced dental disease can occur and result in exposure of tooth root and abscessation. Regular dental cleanings and oral examinations are required to help prevent this condition.
- Self mutilation: Sugar gliders may self mutilate from a variety of causes including solitude, stress, sexual frustration, and improper nutritional status.