SUGAR GLIDERS: AN EXCELLENT COMPANION

When choosing a small pet, there are many considerations. How much time and attention can you give to your new pet? What can you afford to spend on the initial setup of a home for your pet, as well as the continuing care such as food? Since a companion pet is meant for those who will spend time daily with their new household member, sugar gliders are an excellent choice.

What are Sugar Gliders?

Good question! Sugar gliders are marsupials. That means that an infant sugar glider spends the majority of its time in its mother’s pouch. Yes, sugar gliders are actually related to kangaroos. However, sugar gliders are very small. You might even say they’re pocket-sized. Why is that? Sugar gliders feel comfortable inside a pouch, and often literally become a “pocket pet” content to stay close to you as long as you allow.

What Kind of Habitat Should I Provide?

Sugar gliders love to climb. An important feature of a sugar glider habitat is that it should be tall, perhaps even higher vertically than horizontally. While an adult glider may only be 6 inches in length (plus a 6-inch tail), the larger the habitat, the better. The glider part of the name comes from the flap of skin that stretches from their wrists to their ankles. Sugar gliders can walk and climb, and they will only glide if they have room to do so.

What Else Should I Know?

Sugar gliders are extremely social. If you can’t spend time with your pet every day, we definitely recommend getting more than one. Since sugar gliders reproduce rapidly, choose them of the same gender unless you plan on becoming a breeder.

A happy sugar glider will live 10-15 years, even in captivity. Keep in mind also that sugar gliders are nocturnal. You may want to keep the habitat in another room if you’re worried they’ll keep you up at night. It also means that you can usually keep them in a shirt pocket during the day. They will likely sleep unless they get hungry or you wake them up by taking them out of the pocket.

Sugar gliders are small pets that are fairly easy to care for. Really, they just like to be loved. If you’re looking for a pocket-sized companion, a sugar glider is a perfect buddy for you!