Sugar gliders are nocturnal possums that are commonly found in areas such as Australia, New Guinea and few islands of Indonesia. Today, it is one of the most popular pets all over the world, but it is illegal to own a sugar glider in countries such as Australia and the United States of America. In this article, we have listed the top 10 facts about sugar gliders that you should be aware of, before getting them as pets into your homes.
Top 10 facts about sugar gliders
1. Reason for the name sugar gliders
These nocturnal possums can glide through the air like a flying squirrel. This is possible because of the presence of the unique gliding membrane in their bodies. They can glide and fly to great heights with utmost ease because the patagium (scientific name of gliding membrane) extends from their forelegs to their hindlegs. They can glide up to 150 feet through the air, because of this membrane.
They have one membrane each on their sides, which makes it very easy for these animals to glide when they want to escape from predators or capture their prey. The name sugar was added in their names, because of their preference for sugary and sweet substances such as sap, nectar and the like. The sugar glider is an unusual pet with an unusual name, indeed!
2. sugar glider Physical structure
The quick gliding nature of the sugar glider is mainly because it is lightweight. The maximum weight of these animals is only around 5.5 ounces. The total length of the sugar glider is about 12 inches, out of which the tail is around 6 inches long. These animals are marsupials, and the babies are usually born in an immature state. The mother carries her young one in her belly for about 70 days.
The characteristic feature of sugar gliders is their huge eyes. Since they are nocturnal animals, they hunt accurately throughout the night, thanks to their powerful eyes. It is because of the power of their eyes that they glide well and land exactly where they want to.
3. Long-term commitment
When cared for properly, sugar gliders can live for up to 10 to 15 years. Therefore, you have to be ready for a long-term commitment before deciding to bring a sugar glider home. They are also very affectionate animals, and they demand your care and attention always. If you want to maintain them as pets, you should be ready to invest considerable time, attention and effort for them, so that they don’t feel lonely.
4. sugar glider is a Social animals
In the wild, sugar gliders usually live in a group of 30. Therefore, they are very social animals that love to communicate with each other with the help of strange sounds. If you buy only one sugar glider as a pet, you will notice your pet becoming moody and developing mental and physical health scares in a few days. They need to be with other sugar gliders to feel comfortable, happy and healthy. Therefore, whenever you think of buying a sugar glider as a pet, always consider buying more than one, to care for them properly.
5. sugar glider Diet
We told you already that sugar gliders love anything that is sweet. So, it is highly recommended that you give them fresh fruits every day instead of store-bought pet supplements. Feed them calcium and vitamin-rich fruits, honey and blended baby food to build their immune system and make them healthy. They are prone to digestive disorders.
Therefore, you should refrain from feeding them chocolates, corn, raw sugars, onion or garlic. You should also ensure that you give them a fresh supply of bottled water only. Tap water may contain a lot of chlorine content, and this will turn poisonous for your pets.
6. Good relationship with owners
Your sugar glider may take time to open up to you, but it once it starts getting close, it builds an excellent bonding with you. In the first few days of bringing the sugar glider home, you might have noticed them making a noise called crabbing. This is the sound that they make when they are threatened or scared. However, as time goes by, it will get used to its owners.
You will get used to the puppy barks from your sugar glider as soon as you come back from home. If your pet makes these strange pup barks, it means it feels comfortable, happy and safe with you. Even when you are busy with your work, your sugar glider will call out to you by making cute puppy-like bark sounds that you cannot ignore.
7. Prone to health issues
Sugar gliders love fresh fruits. However, over-consumption of these fruits may lead to the development of bacteria in their stomach. Also, they are prone to injuries that they might get when they glide or jump. Sometimes, your pet will experience severe bouts of diarrhea, if they have eaten too many fruits. It is very important to take your pets to health-checkups once every 6 months so that you can be assured that your pet is healthy and growing in the right direction.
8. sugar glider Very active
Sugar gliders are very active animals. Therefore, they need big cages for them to move around freely. Hide new treats and toys in various locations in the cages, and these animals love treasure-hunting!
9. sugar gliders love heights
The sugar gliders love to fly and glide always. Naturally, they are fond of heights. When you put your hand inside their cage, they will immediately jump on to your arms and climb upwards. They love to settle in the nape of your neck or on the top of your head. All these behaviours indicate the affection that your pet has for you.
10. sugar gliders are good at marking scents
You only have to hold your pet once for it to understand your scents. This is very important because sugar gliders don’t connect with their owners easily in the first few days. Once they get used to your scent, they will never leave you. Even if you don’t go near their cages, they will identify your presence with your scent and will try to call out to you to seek attention.
It is important for you to understand these top 10 facts about sugar gliders before you get them home as pets. Remember, they resemble flying squirrels are synonymous with their swift gliding action.
Conclusion:
You need to be prepared to keep up with their pace, once you bring them home. If you cannot adopt a sugar glider in your country, then you can get a Chinchilla or a gerbil they will make good pets as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can sugar gliders eat asparagus?
Asparagus is not a part of a sugar glider’s natural diet, but it is not toxic to them in small quantities. It is recommended to feed sugar gliders a balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and a specialized pellet mix.
Can sugar gliders eat eggs?
Yes, sugar gliders can eat eggs as a source of protein in their diet. Hard-boiled, scrambled or raw eggs (in moderation) can be given to sugar gliders as a treat. However, it is important to ensure that the eggs are thoroughly cooked and served without any seasoning or additives.
Can sugar gliders eat hamster food?
Hamster food is not a suitable diet for sugar gliders. Sugar gliders have different nutritional requirements and need a balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and a specialized pellet mix. Feeding sugar gliders a diet that is not appropriate for their species can lead to health problems and nutritional deficiencies.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.