Sugar Gliders?

Question

I am interested in obtaining Sugar Gliders...can anyone give me an outline of these aminals and if they make good pets?

Answer 1

Hi there...sugar gliders can be a wonderful pet so long as you have the time to give them physical attention "daily". They are a social animal and depriving them of any attention they will actually die from lonliness as this causes depression. They can live up to 15 years so this isn't a pet for someone who is enamored by them for a couple months and then forgotten. They do better with a mate rather than alone since they are colony animals. In the wild they live in groups on average of 12-20 together.

They require fresh fruits and vegetables daily and need insects (e.g. meal worms, crickets) since they are also insectivores. They need vitamin supplements as they suffer from hind-leg paralysis since they cannot get these minerals from the diets we feed them like they do in the wild. In their natural environment they also eat small animals (like small mice) to get those much needed minerals.

Sugar gliders need toys and an enclosure that is a minimum of 3 feet high by 1.5 feet wide by 1.5 feet deep as they like to jump and glide. Anything smaller is too confining and can lead to health problems.

It's important to find a vet that can care for exotic animals as many regular vets may not have the specialized training to medically treat a sugar glider. Many vets however may know of a local vet in your region who treats exotics.

More web resources for Sugar Gliders and care:
http://www.sugar-gliders.com/sugar-glider-care.htm
http://www.isga.org/informationcenter/HealthIssues/caresheet.htm
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/sugargliders/a/sgfeeding.htm
http://wi.essortment.com/sugargliderca_reer.htm

Answer 2

The site DemonDoll recommended is a really good one. From what I've read, they make pretty good pets, however, it is strongly recommended that if you decide on getting a sugar glider that you get at least two. They are adorable!

Another thing you may want to consider is whether or not there is a vet in your area that knows how to treat them if, by some chance, they become ill. Since they aren't as common as cats and dogs, it might be a lot harder finding advice about them. Good luck!

Answer 3

Since they are social creatures, sugar gliders need lots of attention. This attention can include running around in a glider-proofed room, finger-wrestling, and riding around on your shoulder, or in your hair. If you have a single glider, you need to pay attention to it at least two hours everyday. If the sugar glider becomes lonely, it will become depressed and eventually die. They are not the kind of animal you can put in a cage, feed & forget about

Answer 4

I had a sugar glider. I wanted one for a long time and finally got one. They are super cute, but very hard to keep. You have to be able to spend a lot of time with them and be able to give them the proper nutrition. They are somewhat expensive to feed given they need lots of calcium and vitamins and so forth. They can be a lot of fun but only if you are truly devoted to them. Also I would recomend getting 2 as they get lonely. They can die of depression. Please read lots of info on them before getting one.

Answer 5

MY HUSBAND AND I HAD A SUGAR GLIDER. WE CALLED HER SELLY. THEY GET VERY LONELY SO MAKE SURE HE OR SHE HAS A MATE OR YOU WILL NEED TO PLAY WITH AND TOUCH HER EVERYDAY. THEY WILL DIE OF LONELINESS. THEY ALSO NEED THE PROPER NUTRITION. MY GLIDER WAS VERY FRIENDLY. SHE WOULD CLIMB ALL OVER YOU AND RUN ALL OVER THE HOUSE.

Answer 6

This site will help you out.

http://www.skinhorse.net/gliders/

Answer 7

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY SUGAR GLIDERS ARE WILD AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TAME. I HAD ONE AND I AM EXPERIENCED WIth wild animals pets. the sugar glider is almost impossible to tame.