A sugar glider is a small marsupial possum, and they look like a cross between a squirrel and a hamster. They grow to be about five inches long, but with their tail they can be up to a foot long. They live in treetops in Australia, but they are one of the most popular exotic pets in the United States. If you are thinking about getting a sugar glider, there are many factors to consider. This is not a commitment that should ever be entered into lightly, and you should never give a glider to someone as a gift. Getting a sugar glider is not like getting a dog or a cat. They require extreme dedication and understanding, so make sure that you do your homework before you bring one home. Here are a few of the considerations to take:
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
First of all, sugar gliders are not legal in all states. Check with your state and local government for restrictions. Some states do not permit any marsupials as pets, and sugar gliders fall into that category. If your state laws do not allow you to own a sugar glider as a pet, then you should not try to evade the law. If you are caught, then your innocent little sugar glider will be confiscated, and put to sleep in most situations. It is your responsibility not to endanger the life of your sugar glider, so never bring one home without checking the state restrictions.
If sugar gliders are legal in your state, you still have to make sure that your home is suitable for your pet. If you live in an apartment complex, you might not be allowed to have a pet at all. Sugar gliders make noises, called barking and crabbing, and if you have thin walls, your neighbors will not be happy campers. Sugar gliders can live for up to 15 years in captivity, so you have to decide if your life will allow you to accommodate a pet that requires so much attention. If you own a home, where will you keep the glider’s cage? You have to safety-proof your home. Gliders love to climb and explore, so an open fireplace is a major danger, as are any holes in the walls, or crevices in the windows. Is your family willing to make the commitment as well? Make sure that everyone involved is well-aware of the complexities of owning a sugar glider. One of the major downsides, for example, is that they cannot be potty trained.
EXOTIC PET, EXTREME RESPONSIBILITY
Your sugar glider has very specific needs, and unless you are able to meet them, you will have a sick and antisocial sugar glider on your hands. Firstly, there are dietary restrictions. There is actually a lot of controversy surrounding the diet that is proper for sugar gliders. In my opinion, omitting the controversial foods is the best way to go – better safe than sorry. Some of the controversial foods include dairy products, soy products, and cat foods. Your glider’s diet should consist of at least twenty five to fifty percent protein and fifty to seventy-five percent fruits and vegetables. They should be fed the proteins and vegetables or fruits around midnight (another commitment you have to make), and you should remove any leftovers in the morning so that your glider doesn’t eat spoiled foods. They should also always have fresh water available, which they drink out of a drip bottle feeder, like a hamster or rabbit does. They also should have some dry food available in their cage all day, which can consist of bugs or a specialty dry food made for sugar gliders.
Your glider’s cage needs to be very large, with minimum dimensions of 30 x 18 x 36. The bigger the better! They need room to climb around, jump and swing. The cage should be made of wire, because if it is made of glass, like an aquarium, they won’t be able to climb the walls. Inside of the cage, you should supply your pet with climbing ropes, toys, and hanging food dishes (they like to eat up high). Bonding with your sugar glider is another major undertaking. It can take months, even years, to bond with your glider. You have to spend at least three hours a day with them, and you can absolutely never yell at them or touch their noses. They scare easily, and if you scare them, they will be very leery of you for a very long time. You have to be ready to be bitten, because they will bite you. Remember, they are wild animals, and you cannot always predict their behavior, even once you have bonded. Even after the bonding process, you have to spend at least three hours a day with the pet so that your relationship is maintained. They are very social animals, so it is usually recommended that you get two sugar gliders instead of just one. If they get very lonely, they will get depressed, and depression can lead to other health problems.
BREEDERS AND VETERINARIANS
Sugar gliders should always be adopted from reputable breeders who have extensive experience and credible references. Ask them questions. When did they start breeding? What problems have they encountered? Can you contact past costumers? Always ask to see the gliders before you buy them. You also need to make sure that you find a local veterinarian who is experienced with sugar gliders. Make sure that you have a veterinarian who is available for middle-of-the-night emergencies.
