The sugar glider is a small marsupial that is native to Australia, Bismarck, Archipelago and New Guinea. The sugar glider is one of the few animals native to Australia that is not endangered. Sugar gliders have steadily increased in popular in the United States and are now considered a domesticated house pet. Sugar gliders are now just as popular as hamsters and guinea pigs.
The sugar glider at full-size is around 6 to 8 inches in length and weighs in at less than 1 pound. The tail of a sugar glider is long and thick. The tail of a sugar glider can sometimes reach the length of their body. Their fur is generally cream colored on the underneath and grey with black on the back.
Sugar gliders do not smell as much as skunks or ferrets but they do emit scent and mark their territory. This can be rather troublesome and annoying for a new sugar glider owner. Sugar gliders are very messy animals. It is common for a sugar glider to eliminate on their owners and the furniture if left to roam free. They are known to throw food and waste outside of their cage. Regularly cleaning is highly recommended for proper care of these pets.
In their natural habitat, a sugar glider is likely to be found living in the treetops where they can run and glide for long distances. A sugar glider needs a lot of space and a big cage. It can be hard to find a large enough cage to properly house a sugar glider but most can be happy in a very large bird cage.
Sugar gliders can be very social animals. They like to be around other sugar gliders. Sugar gliders should be owned in pairs or they may suffer from health issues, self mutilation or depression.
This animal is nocturnal and will be more active during the night. Make sure there are plenty of toys, tunnels and hammocks in the cage to keep your sugar glider busy during the evening hours.
Sugar gliders tend to eat a varied diet in the wild. They should be fed a mixture of protein, fruit and vegetables hat is high in calcium. You can feed your sugar glider with meal works, shrimp, beef, chicken, ham and egg along with fruits and vegetables. Make sure that the food is small enough that it can be handled by the animal.
It is always important to make sure that you are legally allowed to keep an exotic pet such as a sugar glider in your state of residence. Contact local law enforcement agencies as well as animal control to find out the restrictions and current laws. Because they are considered an exotic pet it may be more difficult to find a veterinarian. Make sure you are able to find a veterinarian that is willing to treat a sugar glider before you purchase one. Sugar gliders are known to suffer from out of the ordinary health problems.
i do NOT recommend a glider as a pet. they are way to easily stressed and if you feel like you must have one, make sure it is at least a year old.