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In the last few years, sugar gliders have become the latest craze in the pet industry. What is a sugar glider anyway? A sugar glider is a marsupial which is related to the kangaroo family. The females have a pouch that they carry their young in much like kangaroos. They are found in the wild in New Zealand and Tasmania.
Sugar gliders are gray with a cream underside. They have rather large eyes, and a bushy tail that is not prehensile but used for balance. A black racing stripe runs down the back of the animal and all together they are no more than five to six inches long from head to tail. They resemble flying squirrels and they are called “gliders” because they can glide from place to place as far as one hundred and fifty feet. A male sugar glider has a scent gland on top of it’s head.
Gliders have a wide range of vocalizations often sounding like a small dog. Some owners have tamed them to ride in their pocket or in homemade pouch. They live as long as fifteen years in captivity which is a long life span for such a small animal. They have a great deal of personality and are relatively easy to take care of.
There are some basic considerations one must take before purchasing a sugar glider. The initial investment of purchasing a glider can range anywhere from the $150 to the $500 range depending on where you live and how many breeders there are in your area. They are virtually non-existent in pet stores. Sometimes pet stores will carry them but they tend to be a bit more expensive than the average breeder. You will also need to invest in a cage for the animal. The sugar glider’s livelihood is all about gliding and exploring and boredom can lead to serious health problems in your glider.
They are also very social creatures and often demand attention, and sometimes you will see them sold as pairs because they crave companionship. Sugar gliders also tend not to get along very well with dogs and cats which view them as expensive play toys. Sugar gliders may also be illegal in some states so it is important to check to make sure before you invest. Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night, so your time spent with them will mostly be at night. A sugar glider, as with any animal, should never be an impulse buy.
After much research and consideration you have decided to invest in a sugar glider, then you need to know the basic needs of a sugar glider. The most important element to a sugar glider’s life is their diet. In the wild, sugar gliders feed on fruits and the gum of trees. In captivity, they should have a diet of 75% fruit and 25% protein. Some of the gliders' favorite fruits are cantaloupe, watermelon, and grapes. Owners should stay away from fruits that come in a can because they contain added sugars and preservatives that are not healthy for sugar gliders. The protein in their diet should come from insects such as meal worms or crickets, and a base of kitten food which should be offered every night. In general sugar gliders should have at least 1/4 cup of fresh fruit a night and a tablespoon of protein. Gliders are lactose
intolerant and should not be fed dairy products. A calcium supplement such as “RepCal” found in local pets stores is always a good idea for these animals. Sugar gliders need to be fed only once a day. The fruit should be removed promptly each morning. Water should be available at all times for the animals.
Sugar gliders are very sociable animals. If you only have one sugar glider it is important to spend as much time with them as possible. This will be important in the bonding process. Most people that start out with one glider end up with another glider soon after because the gliders constantly crave companionship. It is important to get two gliders of the same sex because they are prolific breeders and soon you will have a house full of gliders.
Housing is another need that these animals have. An adequate cage is important for a sugar glider because they spend most of their time. The cage needs to be out of any drafts and should be in a warm environment. The most suitable cage is a large bird cage and should be taller than wide because sugar gliders like to climb. The wire should be no more than one inch by one half inch because sugar gliders can compress their bodies and can squeeze out of anything bigger. The cage should have a nest box or a pouch where the sugar gliders can snuggle up and sleep. There also should be plenty of things for the sugar gliders to do, branches for them to climb on and toys for them to swing on. Bird toys often make the best sugar glider toys.
The veterinarian expenses with this animal are minimal. The animals do not require shots of any kind. However, when the sugar glider does become ill it is rather difficult and expensive to find a veterinarian that has any experience with these animals. In fact, before you purchase a sugar glider it is important to become familiar with veterinarians who have knowledge of these animals.
Gliders are very curious creatures and there are some household items that can pose a threat. The toilet is a big one, they can drown in a matter of seconds. Also there are some plants that are poisonous to these animals. These animals should be under close supervision when they are out of their cage.
So where is the best place to buy a sugar glider? A reputable breeder is always a good source. The breeder should be USDA licensed as it is required in most states and also knowledgeable about the animals. When buying a sugar glider it is important to get one that is very tame and has been handled a great deal. A reputable breeder often spends several hours a day with the infant sugar gliders getting them use to people. It is best to buy a young glider because the infants are much more adept at bonding and it is simply easier to tame a younger glider.
As with any animal much thought and consideration should be taken to see whether such an animal can be cared for properly and fit in your lifestyle. An animal should never be an impulse buy. It is always recommended that you read a book on the animal that you are thinking about purchasing so that you know exactly what you are getting into.
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