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General Information Frequently asked Questions     Sugar Gliders are becoming one of the most popular pocket pets in the United States, and anyone who has ever seen one can easily tell you why.  Besides being intelligent, playful and inquisitive, they are so darn cute!  Being a highly social animal, they are delighted to be in physical contact with its owner’s body and do need lots of attention… at least 2 hours per day.  They will sit on your shoulder, play in your hair and sleep in your shirt pocket.  They don’t have fleas, don’t need shots, are relatively inexpensive to keep, and having one in your pocket is a sure-fire way to meet people and make new friends!     Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are marsupials native to Australia and Indonesia.  Wild sugar gliders are tiny gliding possums who live in colonies of 10-40 and dwell in tree hollows or other nests made of vegetation.  They spend the daylight hours cuddling and sleeping in their nests.  In the early evening and night you will find them foraging for food and protecting their tree.     An adult sugar glider is about the size of a full grown hamster, approximately 5-7 inches long with a long fluffy tail that can be up to 8 inches.  Their tails are semi-prehensile and are used mostly for balance and steering when gliding.     Sugar gliders that are well cared for can live anywhere from 12-15 years, if not longer.  A good diet, a clean environment, and a lot of love will ensure they live a full life.     The diet of sugar gliders consists mainly of fruits and vegetables and about 30%-50% protein.  Sugar gliders do have their own unique scents, but they don’t smell bad if their diet is correct.  The diet we use and have used for 3 1/2 years is called Judies BML.  We have very happy and healthy gliders :).  There are a few other good diets to choose from.  You can find other good diets on Glider Central      Sugar gliders are nocturnal, so as pets, they’re the most fun late in the evening and early in the morning.  Watching them play with each other and listening to the interesting variety of sounds they make is always entertaining!

Frequently asked Questions & Answers Question:    Do Sugar Gliders need regular baths?  Answer Question:    Do Sugar Gliders smell?  Answer Question:    Do Sugar Gliders bite?  Answer Question:    Do Sugar Gliders make good pets?  Answer Question:    What is the best age to purchase a Sugar Glider? Answer Question:  What is a “peanut” Sugar Glider? Answer Question:    How often do Sugars need a vet check up? Answer Question:    What types of noises do Sugar Gliders make? Answer Question:    How intelligent are Sugar Gliders? Answer Question:    How long do Sugar Gliders live? Answer Question:    What things should you consider before buying a Sugar? Answer Question:    Do Sugar Gliders need a lot of attention? Answer Question:    What are some basic characteristics of Sugar Gliders? Answer Question:    Do I need to get 2 Sugars or is 1 ok? Answer Question:  Should I buy a Male or a Female Sugar Glider? Answer Question:    Should I neuter my Sugar Glider? Answer Question:    What kind of cage does my Sugar need? Answer Question:    How do I bond with my Sugar Glider? Answer Question:    Should my Sugar Glider have free run of the house? Answer Question:    Do Sugars get along with other pets? Answer Question:    Do Sugar Gliders really need a heat rock? Answer

Do Sugar Gliders need regular baths? No, they do not need baths.  You’ll find that sugar gliders spend a lot of time grooming themselves and each other…and will sometimes even groom you!  They keep themselves very clean.  Baths are not necessary.  Do Sugar Gliders Smell? Sugar Gliders have gotten a bad rap about being smelly from the early days when no one knew very much about them.  We now know that their diet is key on keeping their odor down.  Vitamins are used in their diets, and if given too much of the vitamins, their scent is stronger.  We also have learned that keeping your Sugar Glider warm is important for keeping it healthy.  A healthy glider should not have a strong offensive odor.  Sugars do have a unique smell to them.  However, their smell is not offensive and can be kept to a minimum by feeding them a healthy diet and keeping their living environment clean.

Do Sugar Gliders bite? Anything that has teeth CAN bite.  Each of our sweet little Sugar Gliders have 40 of them!  With that said, the more comforting answer would be this…Sugar Gliders usually only nip or bite when they are afraid of the person holding them.  As babies their bite is usually no more than a hard pinch that almost never results in broken skin.  When they are convinced that you are not going to hurt them, they calm down and usually will not bite.  We do our best to make sure the babies are handled a lot so they are very accustomed to human touch and won’t feel the need to bite out of fear.  We begin holding and kissing and loving on all our joeys from the first day out of mommies pouch and continue to do so until they go to their new homes.  We have a great reputation for raising very healthy and sweet babies.  There are some that do not take to people very easily even when they ARE handled a lot.  Still, even these fussy sugars will bond to you and not bite after a period of persistent work.  Any age sugar glider can be trained to trust you and NOT BITE. Do Sugar Gliders make good pets? Yes, by all means, a Sugar Glider is uniquely suited to captivity.  They are very social, and will totally bond to the person who gives them good care and treats them well.  Sugar Gliders are not for small children who cannot control themselves and want to squeeze them too tight, or treat them too rough, but they are wonderful pets for older children and adults.

What is the best age to purchase a Sugar Glider? That really depends on you and what you’re looking for!  Any age sugar glider can and will bond to a new owner.  Our joeys are weaned from their mommies at 8-10 weeks out of pouch.  We do not sell our babies any younger than 8 weeks.  This is typically when they are adopted by their new families.  Sometimes, we do have some older joeys.. 3-5 months old.  Most all joeys will go through a juvenile stage that usually last about a month.  In this stage, the sugar seems moody and defiant.  In most cases, the sugar will be nippy.  This stage usually happens anywhere from 3 to 6 months out of pouch.  Most people seem to enjoy getting their new pet as small as possible because they are just so cute when they are so tiny!  So it seems that most people prefer to get them younger. ***BEWARE OF BREEDERS SELLING JOEYS*** ***YOUNGER THAN 8 WEEKS OUT OF POUCH*** ***OR “PEANUT” JOEYS*** Yes, yes and yes.. these joeys are OH so CUTE!!!!  This is because they are so tiny and have been PULLED away from their moms and dads.  Some breeders do this in order to produce more frequent breedings by the parents to make more money.  Unfortunately, this is very detrimental to that cute little baby that has been taken from its parents WAAYYYYY too early.  Baby sugar gliders rely on their mom and dad to care for them and keep them alive for at least 6 weeks.  At 6 weeks out of pouch, the baby sugar glider will be venturing out at night to the food dish and sampling the foods that their parents are eating.  Even though they are eating a little bit on their own, they are still nursing on their mom and getting the nutrition that is so necessary for their survival at such a young age.  Mom and dad sugar gliders also assist baby sugars in going to the bathroom.  We know of TOO MANY instances where a “peanut” joey was adopted and died within a few weeks because of lack of proper nutrition and constipation.  Most baby sugars are not able to go potty without mom and dad stimulating them to do so.  Any sugar younger than 8 weeks out of moms pouch is simply too young.  With your new pet, make sure it is old enough to be away from mom and dad.  It will save you a lot of money for vet care trying to help this wee one survive simply because it was taken away from its parents too early.  Plus, it’s so sad to watch a little one get so sick and possibly die when if the breeder would have waited till it was old enough, all would be fine.  No younger than 8 weeks.  That is the age babies are able to potty on their own, and are no longer nursing on their mommies.  SO… Short answer to this question?  No matter what anyone tells you… do not risk purchasing a sugar that is any younger than 8 weeks oop.  Steer clear of a breeder that is willing to sell sugars younger than 8 weeks out of pouch.  Also be very wary of breeders claiming to have “peanut” sugar gliders for sale.  99% of the time, a “peanut” sugar is just a baby that has been taken from its parents too early.

How often do Sugars need a vet check up? Sugar Gliders do not require regular check ups.  It’s not a bad idea though, to take any pet you own to the vet once per year.  Other than that, if you feel that something is wrong, it’s very important to get them to the vet as soon as possible.  A sick Sugar Glider, in most cases, is able to hide it quite well and once you are able to tell your sweetie is sick, there isn’t a lot of time left.  They deteriorate very rapidly, so if you fear your sugar is ill, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you possibly can.  As long as your Sugar Glider is kept warm, clean and on a healthy diet, they SHOULDN’T get sick.  How intelligent are Sugar Gliders? It has been proven that gliders do have a memory, because they are capable of recognizing people who handle them on a regular basis.  Gliders have also shown their intelligence level by their imaginative play.  They have been trained to glide down to people  with bribery.  Also, they can show affection or displeasure by means of body language and vocalization.

What types of noises do Sugar Gliders make? Crabbing, Barking, Sneezing, Hissing, Chattering, Chirping, Singing, Clicking.. Yeah?  Yep!  Lots of adorable noises that you’ll come to love.     Crabbing:  is used when they are disturbed or frightened.  It is their only defense sound and is very startling when you first hear it.  It means they are angry or scared.      Barking:  sounds like a small puppy bark.  It is used to keep tabs on each others positions and to get attention from other gliders.  They also bark to get your attention.  Many times I’ll go check on barking gliders and will find tipped wheels, water bottles knocked off the cage, and sleeping bags fallen to the cage floor.  In these cases, getting them to stop barking is as easy as fixing the problem.  They just call me in to fix whatever they have messed up!  Be careful of giving treats to get them to stop barking… they’ll learn that barking means a treat from their human!  And they will wake you every night expecting that treat.  Sometimes turning on a night light will quiet them down.  Sometimes not.     Sneezing:  is used when members of the same group have a disagreement or when one is bothering another.  They also “spit” into their little hands while grooming.  Sounds like a sneeze!     Hissing:  is used as to call to the other members of the group.  There is a long drawn out hiss and a short hiss.  Some sugars will hiss while going to the bathroom.   From what I can tell though.. it’s a difference between each sugar glider how and why they hiss.  Who really knows!?     Chattering:  is a sound made by mommy sugar gliders.  Mom usually starts making this noise right before a baby comes oop and we typically hear it for about 2 weeks afterwards.  You might think something is seriously wrong with your sugar glider the first time you hear it.  Don’t be alarmed.. it is a normal means of communication between mom and babies.  It seems to not only be a sound.. but a means of getting nursing babies to let go so she can leave the sleeping bag to go eat or play.  She will shiver as she makes the sound.      Chirping:  is used when they are very happy about something.  It is usually heard when they are eating something that is so nummy to them… like a mealworm.  They also will chirp to each other while grooming one another.. and will sometimes chirp to you!     Singing:  is another sound we’ve only heard from mommy sugars.  Some people mistake the chattering with singing, because not a lot of moms actually sing to their wee ones.  We’ve only heard it a few times.  It sounds.. well??  Like singing!  Different notes held out for short lengths of time, and in my opinion it’s one of the sweetest sounds you can hear from a Sugar Glider.      Clicking:  is another sweet sound from your sugar glider.  It is a greeting or communication of friendliness.  Sugars will click to each other and will click to the sound of your voice when they love you.  It’s such a joy to hear them click to you!

How long do Sugar Gliders live? A Sugar Gliders life span depends on where it lives.  If the Sugar lives in captivity, then its life span is 12-15 years, if it’s taken care of properly.  In the wild, Sugar Gliders don’t live nearly as long, maybe 5-7 years.  Humans, birds of prey, and arboreal snakes are Gliders natural enemies in the wild, so they don’t survive nearly as long as in captivity. What things should you consider before buying a Sugar? A Sugar Glider can live up to 15 years in captivity.  Can you take responsibility for it for that long? Can you provide a reasonably large cage?  The cage should be no smaller than 36x18x18.  Do you have time to keep the cage clean? Do you have time to clean and cut fresh fruits and veggies for your Sugar Glider every day? Since Sugars are very social animals, do you have enough time to play with it consistently?  Do you have enough money to buy two Gliders to keep each other company? If children are caring for it, do you have the time to supervise and help in handling and caring for it? Do you have someone to care for your pet if you are gone for more than 24 hours or can you take your Sugar with you on trips? Is there a veterinarian in your area that cares for exotic pets?  Do you have the money if it needs medical attention? Are there other pets in your house that will not adapt to living with a Sugar Glider? Is there anyone in your household that is allergic to animal fur?

Do Sugar Gliders need a lot of attention? Sugar Gliders are very social animals and therefore need to have social interaction at least on a daily basis.  This social contact can be active, as in playing, or passive, as in sleeping up against your body in a pocket or pouch.  If you have only one Sugar, it is essential to have social time as often as possible, but at least an hour or two daily.  If you have two, (they can be kept as pairs, male/female, male/male, female/female) they have each other for socialization, and your time with them is not as critical if you have a day where you can’t spend time with them.  But they really do enjoy out of cage time and time with their human.  If playing with your Sugar Glider is a chore, then a Sugar isn’t the best pet for  you.  But if that is what you like best about these cute, inquisitive, and loyal animals, then it will be your favorite pet ever.  What are some basic characteristics       of Sugar Gliders? An adult Sugar Glider’s body, head and tail have an average length of 10-12 inches.  The tail is usually longer than the length of their body.  Most Sugars are classic gray with a white to cream colored belly.  A black stripe runs down the full length of its back.  The stripe extends over the top of the head and disappears between the eyes.  It has large hairless ears that are always moving independently in order to pick up even the smallest sound.  Since Sugar Gliders are nocturnal animals, they have large protruding eyes.  The position of their eyes allows a wider field of vision.  A Sugar has five toes on each foot.  Each foot has sharp hook like claws that aid them in landing and climbing.  Gliders have a patagium, which is a furry membrane of skin that stretches from their wrists to their ankles.  The patagium will look like a rippled piece of skin when the glider is resting.  When gliding, the patagium will spread out into a rectangular shape.  Gliders can glide easily because they only weigh 4-5 ounces as adults.

Do I need to get 2 Sugar gliders or is 1 ok? Sugar Gliders are definitely group animals.  While one can survive without a companion, he typically won’t thrive.  Gliders crave companionship and you may not have the necessary time to socialize and play with him EVERY DAY.  They love to cuddle while sleeping, and they love to groom each other, as well as play together.  It takes 2 to cuddle, and 2 can keep each other entertained when you don’t have the time.  If you can afford 2… then get 2.  If you work at home and can hang out with them for at least 6 hours per day for the next 12-15 years, then maybe one will be ok.  If not, you definitely need to get 2. Should I buy a Male or a Female Sugar Glider? Should I neuter my Sugar Glider? It is the general consensus that the male Sugar Gliders are a little more sweet and docile than the females.  This doesn’t mean that the females are meaner, but that the males tend to not be as afraid of people at first, and they tend to not be so skittish around new people.  The only drawback to a male for some people however, is that the male develops a bald spot on his head and a spot on his chest, which are scent glands.  The females do not develop these glands.  If a male glider is being fed properly, and is being kept warm and clean, odor is not a problem, even with the males.  If you are not planning on breeding your Sugar, the best solution is to get your male Sugar Glider neutered.  When a male is neutered at a young age, they never develop their scent glands, and they stay even more docile and calm than an intact male.  Any age male can be neutered, and when done, their bald spots will grow their fur back.  It was mentioned that the males are sweeter in general.  It doesn’t always follow that a given male will be sweeter than a given female.  In fact, some females are very calm and could not be improved on.  It depends on the nature of the given animal.  They all have very different personalities.  It really is just personal preference.. BOTH make wonderful pets!

Should I breed my Sugar Gliders? If you have a male and female sugar glider living together, babies are most certainly inevitable.  They will breed at the right age.  Two requirements for them to breed and have success in raising their babies is warmth and a high protein diet.  In the wild they breed in the monsoon season.  At this time it is extra warm and there is a wealth of insects and other high protein food available.  They typically have one or two babies at a time, and will usually have on average about three pregnancies per year.  Some things to consider:  Once a pair start to have joeys, they might not be as friendly as they were as pets.  Males can get very protective of their young.  Also, Sugars will eat or abandon their young if they feel that they are in danger.  What kind of cage does my Sugar Glider need? The largest cage you can afford made of 1/2” x 1” PVC coated wire.  When they crawl around in their cages, they are always marking their territory.  If they are in a cage without PVC coating or powder paint coating, the wire will rust.  They end up getting urinary infections in galvanized wire cages and would require veterinary care.  Stick with the PVC coated or powder coated cages.  They are very easy to clean and don’t rust.  The cage should have a sliding dropping pan for easy cleaning, a shelf or two in it to make it more interesting for the Sugar, and a large enough door to get your Wodent Wheel, Igloo, and other toys inside of it.  Of course you want it to be as large as you have room for, or can afford.

How do I bond with my Sugar Glider? When bonding with your Sugar Glider, there is no substitute for a lot of hands on time.  By that, we mean actually holding your glider in your hands and petting it and rubbing it, getting it used to you and learning that you are not to be feared.  Gliders in a group will all huddle together and each will try to climb under the pile.  There is a constant movement going on in the group.  They will all fall asleep but every so often, one will stir and try to get under the neighbor to get warmer.  This tight body contact and movement is what you want to imitate while holding them.  Sugar Gliders do not respond well to a timid person who is actually afraid to touch them, or is afraid that they will hurt the Glider.  They sense this immediately, and feel insecure with that person.  Hold it confidently in your hands.  Rub it with your hands firmly to let him know that you are not afraid.  Sit and watch TV or something and do this for an hour or more every day for a few weeks.  At first it may resist, but be persistent and make it endure until it actually likes it and soon it will be falling asleep in your hands, feeling completely safe in your hands.  It is easier to do this in the day time when they are not as active.  Carrying your Sugar in a bonding pouch is also good, and will certainly speed up the process.  Giving treats is also a great way to convince your Sugar that you are its friend.  If you initially are giving it treats while bonding with it… he will learn that hanging out with you is rewarding, and he’ll love you for it!  Gliders know you primarily by scent and sound.  So carry him around with you all day long.. rub him with your hands as much as possible.. and give him treats.  With persistence, patience, and lots of love, your new Sugar will come to trust you in time.  The bonding process doesn’t usually take a long time, however, each Sugar is different.  It may only take a day or two for your Sugar to develop a trusting nature toward you, or it may take several weeks.  My first Sugar crabbed and me and bit me for NINE MONTHS before he finally decided to trust me.  After all that patience and persistence with him, he and I are still great friends.  Don’t give up or lose interest, because this is the most important time of your Sugar Glider experience, and you’ll be able to watch your bond grow stronger and stronger with every passing month! One other word of caution.  While you are new to your Glider, it will often be defensive when you are taking it out of a secure and warm environment such as its sleeping bag.  Sometimes they will crab and put their hands up and even lunge at you when you open their sleeping bag.  Your response to this action should be to very confidently reach under the glider and pick it up securely and immediately start rubbing it.  Do not try to pick it up with your finger tips.  It will wriggle and feel insecure, and it will become a negative experience.

Should my Sugar Glider have free run of the house? We would say.. No.  There are too many dangers in our big ol houses that they could get hurt or even killed by.  Electric outlets are dangerous.  Any wires plugged into those electric outlets can be just as dangerous if the sugar decides to chew on them.  Open toilets are deathly for Sugars.  Any standing water, in sinks, in soaking dishes, anywhere, could be the death of your Sugar.  Who knows what they would find to eat.  Chocolate is deathly to them.  Some plants, if ingested, would kill them as well.  Plus there are SO many places that your Sugar glider could squeeze into and get lost.  Our personal opinion is to never let your sugar glider run free in your home without constant supervision by YOU.  When you are done watching him run around and play, it’s best to put him back inside his cage, when you know he cannot be harmed.  Do Sugars get along with other pets? Sugar Gliders in the wild, live in the top canopy of the rainforests, and stay there most of their lives.  Since they seldom are on the ground, they don’t seem to have a fear of many animals.  In the wild, we suspect that their only predators are birds of prey, and perhaps some snakes.  At any rate, it seems that they don’t have an immediate fear of most of our other pets.  We’ve seen pictures of Sugar Gliders sleeping with cats, or riding on a dogs head, but it would all depend on the nature of both the Sugar, and the other pet.  Sugar Gliders, when out, want to be on their human.  When they are off of you, they don’t really like to go to the floor, but rather will climb up on things.  This usually keeps them out of harms way.  Of course, as with any animal, you want to slowly introduce them to the other animals.

Do Sugar Gliders really need a heat rock? The more appropriate question is as follows:  Do Sugar Gliders really need to be kept at a warmer temperature?   The answer to this is yes.  Sugar Gliders need to remain in a temperature of 70-90 degrees F, with 75-80 degrees being optimum.  Most people have found the best way to ensure their temperature is warmer is to use a space heater.  Heat rocks are really dangerous for our little friends.  If they are to chew on the cord, you’ll have a dead sugar glider on your hands.  In addition to this, there really isn’t a way for the sugar glider to cuddle up on the rock.  If the rock happens to get too hot.. then the sugar will most likely move.. and be too cold.  We think that they are simply too dangerous for Sugar Gliders.