I was looking at sugar gliders on the internet for a friend and discovered that in the US you can own one. I live in Australia and I have never heard of being able to keep them as pets as in here we are only allowed to care for injured gliders if you have a permit.
Sugar Gliders are so cute. I have seen them at Tinaroo and Milla Milla Falls. Also at the animal park. I would love to have one!
Are they hard to care for? Anything that you can tell me can be great.
2006-11-20 10:02:39 · 12 answers · asked by skattered0077 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hi there...sugar gliders can be a wonderful pet so long as one has 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 in captivity so this isn't a pet for someone who is enamoured 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 there in Australia they live in groups on average of 12-20 together. Most people use a pouch to assimulate the marsupial pouch to help with the bonding process. If done consistently sugar gliders will form a strong bond with their human family members...without they tend to be shy and more distant like their wild cousins found in Australia.
They require fresh fruits and vegetables daily and need insects (e.g. meal worms, crickets) since they are also insectivores. In 1999 I went to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary http://www.cws.org.au/content/standard.asp?name=SugarGlider&highlight=sugar,glider on the Gold Coast in Queensland to learn more about them in their native environment and learned they eat leadbetters diet when they are in captivity there. 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 pets 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.
An exotic vet is needed to care for these little animals as many regular vets may not have the specialized training to medically treat a sugar glider.
Prices for them are anywhere between USD$150-500 for one depending on where people reside and are legally sold. They are not legal in every state/province in the US and Canada.
2006-11-20 12:32:07 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are great pets. They aren't hard to care for either, no matter what people tell you. They are on a special diet which can't be bought in stores, and they need fresh fruit, veggies, and mealworms every night. They are nocturnal of course, but you can carry them around in a pouch or your pocket throughout the day and they will either sleep or you can play with them. Some can be temperamental and hard to bond with, but most are not. People think they're mean because they don't take the time to get to know them. They are obviously wild animals and need time to get used to you. Once they are, you have a friend for life!! They need a cage that is at least 36 inches tall, and play time every night, because they are very active. They get bored very easily as well, so their toys should be moved around or replaced often. They are sold for usually around $100-$175 each, unless it's a special color. They do best in pairs or colonies, because they can die from loneliness. Overall, they make wonderful pets and aren't hard to care for at all. I have 6 and would sell you some if you lived closer!!
2006-11-20 11:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by Christy K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I almost got a pair of them... but decided not to. They are quite high maintenance. They need a good sized cage and have VERY specific dietary needs. They are SOOOO cute though! If I had fewer other pets, I'd get them in a heartbeat! If I ever do get some... I want them to have a whole room they can play in. To keep them cooped up in a cage all the time just doesn't seem fair to such an active animal. Even my bunny gets to roam the kitchen when I'm home. :)
2006-11-20 10:42:18 · answer #3 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are one of the hardest animals to care for. Most people who have them end up giving them away. They are messy and VERY hard to tame i do not reccomend getting a Sugar Glider they are banned from New York City.
2006-11-20 11:38:37 · answer #4 · answered by Plank 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cute, we have a pair, they can really leap! Nails are a little sharp when they are on your arm, but they are fun to have as pets.
They eat mealworms like lollipops, and it sounds as bad as it looks... :}~ Very easy to care for, a little fruit, a few meal worms, dry sugar glider food, and fresh water every day and they're happy.
2006-11-20 10:11:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are great pets to own , they are nocturnal can do great by themselves if you have a lot of time for them, you need to get them out a couple of times a day if not they are harder to handle. there is a specific pellet that they will eat , they also love fresh fruits and veggies , mealworms and nectar , there is also on the net a recipe called ledbeaters that provided a high protein dinner for them. they love to sleep in pouches and love to be near you in the states they call them pocket pets b/c you can keep them in a shirt pocket while you are around the house.
2006-11-20 10:13:06 · answer #6 · answered by Pixie Girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My sister has 2 males for her 10th grade biology classroom. They eat baby food and other softer foods. They're nocturnal and sleep in pouches made of fleece (to feel like fur). They are very cute animals...she's named them Nip and tuck...One likes to bite and the other likes to hide. Not too sociable, but beautiful pets none the less. . .
2006-11-20 10:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can keep 2 in one cage. Just get both of the same sex because Suggies are prolific breeders and you'll have tons of babies unless one of the Suggies is altered. It'd be a good idea for both of you to bond with both Suggies.
2016-03-29 03:17:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have one. they are very sensative animals and have to have a very careful diet.also im going to buy another one soon, becuse they get lonely without another sugar glider. ive even heard that some have died without another friend.
2006-11-20 10:08:29 · answer #9 · answered by HANNAH S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My friend has a few. Very cute, but a little smelly no matter how much you clean their cage!!!!!
2006-11-20 11:37:20 · answer #10 · answered by pitlover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋