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Care Sheet

Origin:

Found in the tree tops of Australia, Indonesia and Tasmania

Description:

A sugar glider is a small marsupial possum. They have a preference for sweet foods and a gliding membrane like the flying squirrel. An adult sugar glider is approximately 5 to 6 inches in length with a tail of equal length and weighs from 4 to 5 ounces. Sugar gliders may live 12 to 15 years in captivity.

Feeding:

A good diet consists of a combination of fruits, vegetables and sugar glider food. We have developed our own brand of sugar glider food that we feed to all of our own gliders. It is called Glider Quisine^TM. We have one formula for babies and one formula for adults. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be fed once a day. Fresh fruits may include apples, grapes, plums or pears. Vegetables that may be included in their diet are broccoli, sweet potatoes and carrots. A small amount of hard-boiled egg should be added along with a tablespoon of yogurt and a tablespoon of applesauce. Meat and poultry that is lean, cooked (not fried) and de-boned may also be added to their diet. These meats should not have salt, sauces or spices added to them. Processed meats should be avoided. Try to offer a variety of items since all sugar gliders don’t have the same preferences. Live insects such as crickets or mealworms may be included in their diet. Do not feed more than one or two of these insects each evening. Do not collect insects from outdoors where they may have been sprayed with pesticides. Provide water in an open dish & a water bottle. Water is critical to these animals and a clogged water bottle could cause dehydration and death.

Housing:

Sugar gliders should be housed in a wire cage and not an aquarium. A wire cage allows them to climb and provides better air circulation. A sugar glider needs a small cage during its first few months to restrict their activity level. When the sugar glider reaches 5 to 6 months of age, a larger cage is appropriate. We use sleeping pouches, cubes and condos for housing. Sugar gliders can exercise inside the cage and branches and bird perches can be spread around so they can jump from one perch or branch to the other. Sugar gliders enjoy playing with bird toys such as swings, perches, ladders and bells. In the cage tray bottom, Carefresh bedding or aspen bedding may be used to help absorb moisture. Temperature should be 65 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the size cage we recommend. It is 32x21x38 inches.

Bonding:

A bonding pouch is a great idea during the bonding process. It should be made of a material that is easy to breathe through. This pouch should be placed near your body preferably over the heart. By carrying a sugar glider around on your body so that they feel the heartbeat, body warmth and body odor, the bond takes place. The bonding process should be swapped around so the sugar glider will be interactive with everyone and not just one individual.

Calcium Deficiency:

Sugar gliders are prone to developing a calcium deficiency. This is due to the fact that they are nocturnal and don’t get sufficient sunlight. You should use a calcium supplement and add liquid vitamins to their water.

ABOUT YOUR BABY SUGAR GLIDER:

BABIES SHOULD BE KEPT AT APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES F

BABIES SHOULD BE FED APPROXIMATELY 1 TBSP APPLESAUCE WITH ¼ TSP VITA-PLUS MIXED IN

BABIES SHOULD HAVE GLIDERADE MIXED IN WITH THEIR WATER (UNTIL THE WATER LOOKS COLORED)

BABIES SHOULD HAVE AVAILABLE TWO BOWLS OF WATER (ONE FOR THE GLIDERADE & THE OTHER FOR BATHING)

BABIES SHOULD BE MONITORED TO INSURE THAT IT IS EATING, DRINKING AND ADJUSTING TO ITS NEW HABITAT

BABIES SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN CITRUS FRUITS FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS (MINIMUM) BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE DIARRHEA.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS FOR OUR BABIES. IF YOU CHANGE DIETS, IT COULD CAUSE DIARRHEA, STRESS AND POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH. AFTER A MONTH OF ADJUSTMENT WITH YOU, YOU MAY CHANGE YOUR BABY’S DIET IF YOU’D LIKE BUT WE STILL RECOMMEND OUR DIET.

TOO COLD OR NO WATER = DEHYDRATION = DEATH

ITEMS WE RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE WITH YOUR NEW SUGAR GLIDER: