Anybody familiar with Sugar Gliders?

Question

I am considering adopting two for Christmas. I've read alot about them but I wanted to hear from people with firsthand experience. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi BobbiSue...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 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 they live in groups on average of 12-20 together. They need at least an hour to two hours of play time daily to stay socialized and well adjusted.

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.

Sugar gliders defecate and urinate everywhere except their sleeping pouches and mostly when they first wake up. They have a natural scent that some people may find a little pungent and it can become strong if the cage isn't cleaned out and washed down weekly. The vocalizations they make are barking which is equivalent to small yapping dog (at lower volume) and a hisssssing sound. They also make a crabbing noise when angry, startled or frightened which sounds like a broken electric pencil sharpener.

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

Here's my other detailed answer in what goes into a sugar gliders care: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvR8wlW1RQicaCZt1SU_d3rsy6IX?qid=20061122150701AAG50CI

Answer 2

I can't believe that everyone is saying sugar gliders smell. I have FIVE of them, and anytime I have company no one smells a thing. They are all housed in my front room too, where all my guests tend to congregate! The only real reason a sugar glider would smell terrible is if:

They are on a bad diet
Their housing isn't clean
They are frightened (they can make a mild skunk odor when frightened)
Or an un-nuetered male is right up next to your nose. They also emit a faint skunk like odor, but so VERY faint it shouldn't be detectable unless they are right on you.

Anyways, they are a very involved pet - as indicated above, they have specific dietary needs. They don't just eat fruit and honey as some people believe - every other week I have to blend baby food, juice, egg, wheat germ and vitamins along with a few specific ingredients and freeze it for them. They also get fruits, veggies and mealworms/crickets.

They need a large cage and alot of attention - having at least two is the best way to go, that way if you are unable to play with them one night they still have someone to cuddle and play with. They needs lots of toys (baby toys work great) since they are intelligent and need constant mental stimulation. They also need alot of attention and interaction with you in order to develope and keep a strong bond. I carry mine around in a pouch to work (one sleeps in my bra) and I try and play with them at least an hour a night.

There is so much more to know about them before you decide to buy, so I'd recommend going to http://www.sugarglider.net - it's a VERY helpful forum with hundreds of owners and potential owners.

I hope my info helps - they are very rewarding pets if you're up to the task!!

Answer 3

I've had and bred sugargliders. They are definitely not a conventional pet, but if you are willing to devote time and effort to them, they can be quite enjoyable. Here are some points of negativity so you can be fully informed of what I dealt with.

1. They smell.. you'll never escape the fact that everything smells like.. a musty sugarglider.

2. Males leave pee trails everywhere. They also usually get a bald spot on their head.

3. Females can be a little grouchier, but still make good pets (mine always tended to nip, but this might not be the case across the board)

4. They need a good variety of food. There is a good diet out there for them now.. but fresh foods is very important.

Answer 4

You should do a search for sugar glider questions on answers. I've seen several in this section where people who have them tell what high maintenance pets they are....they are nocturnal, need a lot of attention, and can be noisy and smelly, and this is from people who own them and like them.

Answer 5

They are nocturnal (awake at night), have very specific diet needs, they don't smell very good. They don't swim so make sure you keep the seat down on the toilet. They are adorable, friendly and they make the funniest sounds. I would wait on the adoption until your Christmas tree is down. They are small and get into the tiniest spaces.

Answer 6

sugar gliders are awesome pets they tend to knock down the christmas tree and burn your house down but besides that they are cute cuddly and so darn precious

Answer 7

The are terrible pet don't get one. They stink, they are loud, they don't like people, they bite, and they tend to piss on everything. Do yourself a favor and don't get one.

Answer 8

I heard they are rotten to the core. and not worth your time..... I've never had them though

Answer 9

Are they squirrels??