Are sugar gliders good pets? That is completely in the hands of the prospective owner. Sugar gliders are exotic animals. They require a lot of time, energy and resources. Successful owners reap the reward of a loving cuddly companion. The sugar gliders have been described by many as charming animals, cute little critters and very special pets.
They have also been described as mean, noisy and unfit for home pets. Anyone planning on becoming a sugar glider owner needs to be aware of what they are getting into before they purchase one. Far too many are abandoned within the first year. The effort to create a happy environment for the sugar glider and owner is great. The perspective owner needs to begin with learning as much as possible about the creature.
There are four areas that should be considered before buying. It is important to know the quality of the seller, the location of a vet that handles gliders, the state regulations dealing with exotic animals, and the facts about the sugar glider. This article provides a framework of information about the sugar glider and the necessary adaptations that will need to made at home.
In the wilds, the sugar gliders are tree-living marsupials. Their bodies are 6 inches long and their tail doubles their length. They live communally in mobs (groups) of 5-6. They are active at night and sleep during the day. Their territory spreads over 5-6 trees in which they hunt and feed. They are able to glide from one tree to another just like the flying squirrel. They eat everything: vegetables, fruits, and meat.
Gliders are arboreal. They normally live in trees. A membrane that spreads from the front limbs to the hind provides a parachute-like surface so that they can glide from one tree to another. A large cage is needed to provide space for the glider. These cages can be quite expensive. Cages are needed to provide space for sleeping and eating. Ample water needs to be provided and changed each day.
Gliders also need a period of time to out of their cage. The 3 to 4 hours of out-of-the-cage time is important to begin with for the glider to become familiar with the scent and feel of its owner. It is important for the owner to be accepted by the glider. As the glider and handler become more familiar with each other, the space out of the cage provides more exercise and feeling of being at home to the glider. Gliders will climb into pockets and sit on the shoulder. They will glide from their cage to their owner's shoulder.
Gliders are nocturnal. They are active mainly at night and seek sleep during the day. The glider is active between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am. This is the best time to socialize with the pet. This can create problems for some handlers. Gliders are noisy creatures. They bark and chirp as a normal mean of communication. They can become agitated. When they are unhappy, they can be noisy and jump from one side of their cage to the other. Most pets enjoy a routine. Gliders are no different. It is important to establish a routine that both handler and glider can live with.
Gliders are omnivorous, that is they feed on a variety of foods. A healthy diet consists of meats, vegetables and fruits. As an exotic creature, they require a "captive diet." Part of which consists of mealworms, crickets, and feeder mice. Their favorite food is mealworms. The handler will need to be able to handle live insects and feeder mice. Gliders are creatures of the wild.
The teeth of a glider are quite strong. They are used to rip off the bark of a tree. As a result, gliders can also give a very nasty bite that could require stitches to close. It takes some time for the glider to become familiar with the smells of its handler. Bonding takes place by handling the glider. Gliders also need companions of their own kind. Most experts recommend buying more than one. This also seems to make the bonding process easier.
Gliders are territorial. They mark their area with urine and scent from glades located on various parts of their body. This can create some odor problems. Cages need to be cleaned every few days to avoid the odor becoming too strong. Gliders also defecate constantly in and out of the cage. They cannot be house broken. Cages, furniture, and clothes will need to be cleaned regularly.
As marsupials, sugar gliders carry their young in a pouch after birth. They are related to kangaroos. Their natural habitants are found in Australia and New Guinea. Unlike many other pets, sugar gliders reproduce year round. Gliders are social creatures. As mentioned before, prospective owners should consider purchasing companion gliders. Male or female is up to the owner. Overpopulation can become a concern. The glider do require members of their kind to live a happy healthy life. (Breeding, and in some cases owning, exotic animals require special permits. Each state have different rules regarding exotic animals. It is important to check with the state's Department of Natural resources before purchasing a glider.)
Pet owners come in all shapes and sizes. There are a host of reasons for having a pet. The sugar glider requires a special kind of handler. Gliders require time and resources to provide a safe and happy home. The owner must be willing to devote hours per day to allow their glider freedom to glide. Gliders also require special diets. Gliders bite. They are noisy, smelly and expensive. The $200-$400 cost of the animal is only the tip of the iceberg. The number of gliders that are abandoned each year is very high. They are difficult creatures to maintain as pets. These creatures can make wonderful pets, but it does require a real commitment.