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Sugar gliders are smaller than a gerbil, larger than a mouse, as adorable as a Teddy Bear hamster, and as fun to watch at play as a squirrel or chipmunk. Yet sugar gliders have very little in common with any of these animals, because sugar gliders are not rodents. They are actually gliding possums, marsupial mammals in the zoological species classification Petaurus breviceps. Sugar gliders are undemanding as pets; they adapt well to captivity; they remain somewhat autonomous and independent; they are relatively inexpensive to feed; they are intelligent; and they are amusing. Their tiny hands, soft fur, large ears and bold dark eyes lend to their resemblance of Gizmo, the lovable movie character. But in owning and caring for the sugar glider, while you may have the satisfaction of knowing that you have an unusual and enchanting pet who will nap in your shirt pocket, you must also recognize that this real-life "gremlin" comes with a unique lifestyle with several special care and handling requirements.
 Native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia, wild sugar gliders live in small family colonies amidst the branches and leaves in the treetops of forests. They are nocturnal animals. During the day they cuddle together to nap in their nests and tree hollows. And when nighttime falls, sugar gliders forage for their food. The typical sugar glider measures approximately 9 inches long, half of which is made up of its long furry tail, which the sugar glider uses to maintain balance on tree limbs and give direction during gliding. Large, round eyes provide perfect nighttime vision to enable the sugar glider to find its food in the dark, while keeping a lookout for predators like snakes and birds. Erect and sensitive ears permit the sugar glider to hear the high-pitched sounds of the tiny invertibrates (worms, insects, spiders) for which it searches. And along the sides of the sugar glider's body, extending between its front and hind legs, stretches a long gliding membrane. This parachute-like gliding membrane helps the sugar glider travel from one tree to another, just like a flying squirrel, by outstretching its legs so that the gliding membrane may catch air currents like a sail.
 The sugar glider has five digits with an opposable "thumb" on each foot, most of which are equipped with a sharp claw to help the sugar glider adhere to tree branches. It is important to note that these claws are used to cling to everything -- including clothing and human skin. In other words, you are likely to receive scratches as your energetic sugar glider clambers up and down your arms and legs during playtime. And it is not uncommon for a sugar glider to launch itself across the room to its owner's face or arm. (Note: to help minimize the problem with scratches, simply keep your glider's nails trim).
 The sugar glider, affectionately often referred to simply as the "glider," is quickly becoming a popular exotic pet in the United States because it makes a great companion and enjoys interacting with humans. However, since this animal is not legal in many states, potential owners are cautioned to check local regulations and the laws of their state prior to purchasing a glider. Although a relative newcomer to America, the domestic sugar glider has been successfully bred in captivity for decades. The best pet sugar glider is one that has not only been domestically bred, but has also been socialized ("bonded") to humans from an early age. A well-bonded sugar glider craves attention and will happily sit on its owner's shoulder; will come to its owner when called by name; and will eagerly accompany its owner on short jaunts to the post office or hardware store. (Note: your sugar glider should be kept in a secure travel pouch when taken outside of your home, to avoid accidental injury or escape). Generally speaking, your sugar glider loves people and enjoys bonding with its owner. And with consistent interaction and patience on your part, it will become more accustomed to the sound of your voice and to your scent.
Sugar gliders respond positively to gentle handling and an appropriate diet; and if properly cared for, have an average life expectancy of up to ten years. Since they are nocturnal, most of their activity will occur during the evening and nighttime hours. They are raised indoors, with special cage requirements, and must not be left out to roam freely around the home unsupervised. Sugar gliders are extremely inquisitive. They like to crawl into small spaces and explore tiny places. And there are several potential household dangers -- from aquariums full of water (sugar gliders don't swim) to poisonous household plants -- which can be deadly to these mischievous little animals. Even an electric cord can lead to fatality if your sugar glider happens to enjoy gnawing on things. Sugar gliders are very individualistic -- some are prone to chew on wood furniture or draperies, others are not. Therefore, you really must maintain constant supervision of your sugar glider when it is out of its cage. Be sure to have toilet lids down, cupboards closed, and windows shut. Furthermore, draw your draperies closed to safeguard against your glider crashing into the glass window. If you happen to own a ferret, cat, or dog, realize that these are potential predators that may naturally see the sugar glider as a fun furry toy to chase and chew. Most importantly, make sure that your household plants (including Christmas trees) are not toxic to sugar gliders.
The sugar glider diet is comprised primarily of vegetation. In the wild, the sugar glider not only forages for smaller mammals, eggs and insects, but also for plant life. This omnivore is called sugar glider in part, due to its love of sweets. For instance, wild sugar gliders feast on the flower nectar and tree sap of the eucalyptus tree. However, feeding your captive pet sugar glider will not require exported eucalyptus nectar or exotic flowers! On the contrary, most of your sugar glider's diet can be found in the average kitchen refrigerator. In fact, gliders dine on grapes, melons, corn, cucumbers, green beans, apples, peas, carrots, spinach, lettuce, bananas, pears, and much more, in addition to several types of nuts and seeds. Of course, the use of fresh fruits and vegetables is more nutritiously beneficial than using canned foods. (Artificial sweeteners can lead to tooth decay, even in sugar gliders!) Remember, proper diet is the primary key to preserving your glider's good health. Sugar glider owners can provide the appropriate nutritious diet for their pet by maintaining a balance of about 25% protein and 75% vegetation. Providing your sugar glider with ample vegetation is a relatively easy task to accomplish. Providing it with appropriate protein sources, however, can become comparatively more challenging (or even dreadful for the owner). For instance, although many sugar gliders enjoy canned dog food, dry cat food, raw hamburger, boiled eggs, and cooked chicken as protein sources; other sugar gliders reject these foods entirely. Instead, they may prefer live crickets, mealworms, wax worms, or even pinky mice. Sugar gliders can be finicky eaters, with various food preferences which can seem to change overnight. So provide your pet with clean water at all times, and be observant of what foods your sugar glider favors, in an effort to create a nutritious balanced diet for your pet.
 In addition to the basic sugar glider dietary requirements, there are vitamin and mineral supplements which are recommended to be added to your sugar glider's diet regimen in order to avoid vitaminosis (vitamin deficiency), a danger to your pet's health. Sugar gliders do not suffer from any major health problems, but there are some health issues which must be considered and prevented. Keeping your glider healthy is basically a matter of providing: 1) a well-balanced diet; 2) a stimulating safe environment; and 3) companionship. Sugar gliders may appear to be delicate, but they are actually quite hardy. Yet they become susceptible to health problems when their diet is insufficient for any length of time. For instance, a lack of necessary vitamins and minerals in their diet, over time, will kill them. It has been noted by some experts that some joeys (sugar glider offspring), generally under one year of age, have developed weakened, paralytic rear legs, and have died in a number of cases. The suspected culprit is a deficiency in vitamin E/selenium, or a deficiency in the balance of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D. Severe calcium deficiency is recognizable in a sugar glider who drags his/her hindquarters and is unable to jump. Unfortunately, by the time these signs become evident, it is often too late to remedy the problem. So, prevention is your best measure. Likewise, although sugar gliders love foods high in fat (i.e. nuts, sunflower seeds, avocados), these are not healthy for them to consume in large quantities, because they may lead to preventable health problems, such as obesity.
 Obesity can be avoided by reducing the amount of fat in the pet's diet, while simultaneously providing ample room for exercise. Sugar gliders need quite a bit of space for climbing and jumping. Their cage should be as large as possible, with several toys for their amusement. Bear in mind, your sugar glider must also be permitted time to move and explore the home environment outside of its cage, in order to compensate for its relatively small caged living quarters. Undoubtedly, lethargy can be a sign of physical illness. It can also indicate boredom, which can lead to another concern regarding your sugar glider's health, that is, stress. Drastic food changes, sudden noises, neglect, abandonment, overcrowding, unsanitary surroundings, isolation, poor nutrition, overhandling, and boredom are just a few of the conditions that can become elements of stress which may subsequently lead to all sorts of behavioral and health problems (e.g., cage pacing, biting, overeating, etc.) for your sugar glider. A stressed sugar glider is susceptible to illness and disease. So be sure you provide it with some sort of companionship -- yours and/or perhaps another sugar glider's -- to counteract loneliness and boredom in your pet. Be aware of behavioral changes in your glider and find a veterinarian who is familiar with treating this particular species. Inspect your sugar glider regularly for any signs of injury that could lead to infection and death. And check your glider's fur for parasites. Moreover, make sure that your sugar glider's cage is placed in a well-ventilated area, kept clean, and isolated from disturbing bright lights and loud noises.
 When a sugar glider is startled or disturbed, it may produce a number of vocalizations. Often referred to as "crabbing," the loud and high-pitched sound resembles that of the grinding motor of an electric pencil sharpener or chain saw. It is an auditory signal that unmistakably indicates that the glider is not a "happy camper." Sugar gliders are not incessantly noisy animals. However, since they are an intelligent animal, they have a recognizable language with several distinct barks, chirps, gurgles, and chatters. Their communication is audible to the human ear. And they are able to project sound as far away as several hundred yards. Which, of course, is an understandable necessity when you consider the fact that in the wild, sugar gliders naturally communicate with other gliders in other treetops.
 Undoubtedly, "crabbing" can be a potential problem for some would-be sugar glider owners. So can scent-marking! Simply another form of sugar glider communication, each sugar glider has its own unique "signature" scent, and also carries a "group scent" which identifies the sugar glider as being part of a particular "family" of gliders. Each scent gland on a glider has a distinctive smell and consequently makes it possible for him or her to convey complex combinations of information to other gliders. The sugar glider scent can be described as a sweet musk. Some people like the smell; others find it revolting. Keep in mind, the scent is heavier in the sugar glider's nest area and usually much less noticeable on its body. Mature male sugar gliders can be identified by their diamond-shaped bald spot on their head, which is where one of the male's scent glands is located. The dominant male in each family will use his scent gland to mark his family members by rubbing his forehead and chest on their bodies. He will also scent mark objects in his cage. And there is simply no controlling this habit.
 There is also no controlling a sugar glider's toileting behavior. Sugar gliders cannot be housebroken. And as such, they urinate and defecate wherever they happen to be at the time. Which means, of course, that you should not be surprised when your sugar glider "poops" on you. Fortunately, sugar gliders tend to do most of their "potty business" when they first awake, so you can avoid many accidents by simply permitting them to complete this task before picking them up. Also, sugar glider waste matter is small and solid, and easy to remove from your clothing -- not at all like the runny consistency of a bird's waste. It is, however, a nasty habit that you won't be able to change in your pet sugar glider. In sum, although sugar gliders possess some endearing qualities which make them the perfect pocket pet, the potential owner must be aware of the handful of drawbacks and warnings associated with this remarkable species. Each year, hundreds of sugar gliders are neglected and abandoned by owners who had impulsively purchased them before researching their habits and needs. Consequently, many of these sugar gliders needlessly suffer from improper diet; and many die from avoidable exposure to elements such as toxic cedar wood chips or freezing temperatures -- all of which are easily avoidable disasters if potential owners will first take the simple and necessary steps to gain information before purchasing this pet. On a lighter side, like Steven Spielberg's Gizmo, your cute sugar glider comes with three similar warnings: 1) Don't let it swim. 2) Keep it away from bright light. And 3) The "most important thing, the one thing you must never forget, no matter how much it complains, no matter how much it begs ..." feed it a balanced diet! Sugar gliders are fascinating and interesting animals. They are hilarious to watch. And fun to play with. But they aren't for every family, and they aren't for every person. Nevertheless, they have certainly won over the hearts of many.
References: Kelsey-Wood, D. (1996) Sugar Gliders as Your Pet. TFH Publications: Neptune City, NJ
Copyright © 2000-2001 Glider Connection. All Rights Reserved.
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