Which Term Best Describes the Natural Feeding Behavior of Sugar Gliders
There are "normal" pets, like cats, dogs, and even types of birds. Then there are more interesting and exotic pets, like sugar gliders! These cuddly companions are super cute, and even better, they're perfect indoor pets for people who don't have as much time or space as they would need for a bigger animal.
Sugar gliders can eventually bond with their owners and become comfortable enough to ride around in your pocket.
But to get to that point, you have to be a great sugar glider owner first. That involves preparing your home for your sugar glider(s), plus making sure they have enough toys and space to be happy. In truth, there are lots of things you need to know before you get a pet sugar glider so you can give them the best life possible.
Want to know more? Lucky for you, you've found a detailed sugar glider guide that can prepare you for sugar glider parenthood! Let's get started.
Key Sugar Glider Facts for Beginners
Interested in getting a sugar glider as a pet? You'll need to know these seven basic facts first.
- Sugar gliders aren't rodents like you might initially think. Instead, they are marsupials – the same kind of animal as kangaroos or koala bears.
- When properly cared for, sugar gliders can live for between 12 and 15 years.
- Sugar gliders have roughly the same intelligence as a dog and can even be trained to do certain tricks.
- Sugar gliders keep themselves pretty clean and you do not typically need to bathe them.
- Sugar gliders are also nocturnal, which means they are most active at night and sleep for most of the day.
- Sugar gliders are pretty social animals and thrive in groups or when there is at least one other sugar glider to hang out with. Because of this aspect, it may be a good idea to purchase two sugar gliders to live in your home instead of just one.
- Sugar gliders can eventually reach between 5 and 7 inches in length (not including their tails, that is), and most will weigh about 6 ounces in total.
Odds are that typical pet stores won't have sugar gliders available for sale. This is actually a good thing, as many regular pet stores don't take proper care of the animals they sell to future owners.
Instead, you'll be better off searching exotic pet stores or rescues. Animal rescues are a great place to find one or more sugar gliders since you can gain a companion and provide a home for a sugar glider that doesn't have one already.
Be wary of sugar glider breeders. While these organizations or people may have healthy sugar gliders to sell, they might also be trying to scam you.
Sugar Glider Cages
Before purchasing at least one sugar glider, you'll need to get a cage ready so they can have a comfortable home in your house. In general, it's a good idea to purchase as big of a cage as possible – the more room your sugar gliders have, the happier and healthier they are likely to be.
Be sure to purchase a cage made of wire, as this allows for adequate airflow without giving sugar gliders enough room to slip through the wires and escape. Taller cages are better than wider cages, as sugar gliders like to climb! Try to get a cage that's at least 20" x 20" x 30", or double that if you purchase two sugar gliders.
Additionally, any sugar glider cage should have lots of purchase and hiding places, including pouches, tunnels, hammocks, and boxes. Sugar gliders like to hide in nooks and crannies and appreciate being able to take a nap in a dark place in daytime light.
You'll also need to purchase bedding for your sugar gliders. This can be as simple as collecting shredded newspaper, although you can also find sugar glider-specific bedding from pet stores. The bedding provides a comfortable surface for your sugar gliders to crawl around in.
When caring for your sugar gliders, you'll need to clean the cage at least once a week. Change the bedding if it is soiled, and make sure there's plenty of soft bedding material for the sugar gliders once they are placed back inside.
In addition to bedding, be sure to get other accessories for your sugar glider's cage. These include:
- Toys like balls, chewing toys, bells, etc.
- Water and food bowls
- A box for waste
Be sure to place attachable food dishes higher on the cage, as sugar gliders prefer this to food sources lower on the ground.
Sugar Glider Diets
To be a good sugar glider parent, you have to make sure you give your sugar gliders a specific diet. Sugar gliders are sensitive and can become unhealthy if they aren't given adequate nutrition.
About 75% of your sugar gliders diet should include fruits and vegetables. The remaining 25% should be comprised of protein.
As their names suggest, sugar gliders prefer sweeter fruits and vegetables, including apples, avocados, bananas, berries, peaches, pineapples, sweet potatoes, carrots, cherries, sweetcorn, oranges, mangoes, and more. In addition, you can feed them protein including small and cooked pieces of chicken and turkey, hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter, and yogurt.
Be sure to feed your sugar gliders either once a day at dusk, when your sugar glider is likely to start being most active, or twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You'll figure out which system your sugar glider prefers after a little while. You should additionally make sure there's always fresh water available for your sugar glider. Don't be alarmed if your sugar glider doesn't drink a lot from a water bottle or bowl – they get most of their hydration from their food!
Want to treat your sugar glider once in a while? Purchase some live insects from a pet store or buy your sugar gliders raw and unsalted nuts. Either of these treats can be a fun surprise for your sugar glider. Good insects to place into your sugar glider's cage include crickets, earthworms, and mealworms. Just be sure not to feed your sugar glider any insects you find outdoors, as they may be contaminated by pesticides.
Sugar Glider Vet Care
Sugar gliders don't need as frequent vet visits as any other pets, but you should still take them to a local veterinarian regularly. Frequent checkups can catch potential health problems before they become too serious.
Sugar gliders are especially vulnerable to issues like:
- Calcium deficiencies, the symptoms of which include paralysis or trouble moving
- Constipation and diarrhea, which can occur if your sugar glider's diet doesn't contain enough roughage or fiber
- General injuries, like broken clause from climbing the wrong way or falling (it happens!)
- Parasites. Like practically all pets, sugar gliders can occasionally get parasites like ticks, mites, lice, fleas, and more
Additionally, sugar gliders are sensitive enough that they can be negatively affected by high stress levels, such as from moving or changing their environment.
All in all, it's a good idea to find a veterinarian willing to take a look at your sugar gliders before purchasing these animals as pets.
Can Sugar Gliders Spend Time Outside the Cage?
Absolutely! In fact, this is recommended so your sugar gliders can bond with you and your family. However, you should keep your sugar gliders indoors and only allow them to play outside their cages when they are being supervised.
Dogs and cats can be trained to play well with sugar gliders but should never be left alone. Sugar gliders are small and fragile creatures that can easily be injured by accident.
It's a good idea to spend at least a couple of hours with your sugar glider outside their cage per day. This gives them the chance to exercise and stretch their limbs without introducing too much risk.
However, sugar gliders are also naturally shy. It will likely take some time before your sugar gliders bond with you after purchasing. Spend a little time with them each day and this will gradually occur. But don't try to force it!
Summary
All in all, sugar gliders can be fun and friendly pets perfect for those who don't have the time or space for a dog. But sugar gliders also require a lot of preparation and are pretty sensitive critters compared to other pets. Be sure that you prepare your home thoroughly before purchasing even one sugar glider, and definitely consider buying two sugar gliders at a minimum so neither one is lonely.
Want to know more about being a sugar glider owner? We have the answer to this question and more!
Sources:
Beginner's Guide to Sugar Glider Care | Vet Care Pet Hospital
Sugar Glider as a Family Pet: Everything You Should Know | Sugar Glider Info
Everything You Need to Know about Sugar Gliders | Tex Vet Pets
Source: https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/sugar-glider?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=a823ed8a-1d30-4925-a497-b7207af47415
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