Are you recently the proud owner of a sugar glider? These little marsupials are affectionate, cuddly and very sociable, making them great family pets. Gliders are omnivores, so they need a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and fats. You can keep them in a tall cage with lots of branches to climb, but they will also like to go out and play as often as possible. Learn how to offer your glider a safe and fun environment.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting to know the Sugar Gliders
Step 1. Take some time to bond with the glider
One of the most particular aspects of gliders is their need to socialize. Gliders are capable of a lot of love, and if you spend time with them and show them respect, they will grow up trusting you. Gliders create strong bonds and can break down a lot if the bond is broken. Before you bring a glider home and begin the taming process, make sure you want to care for the animal for its entire life, which can be up to 15 years.
- Although some breeders sell single specimens, gliders do much better in pairs or colonies. It is much better to get two gliders if you want them to live happily ever after.
- Hugging gliders and stroking them while they sleep in the pouch is a great way to make friends with them.
- Another useful method for game time is to use a tent. Playing with gliders in a tent allows you to give them the freedom to roam around without worrying about having to go crazy to catch them before they end up somewhere you can't get them out of anymore.
Step 2. Find a veterinarian who is experienced in exotic animals
Like cats and dogs, gliders get sick from time to time. Before bringing a pair home, make sure you have a veterinarian who specializes in the area. You need to take them for a checkup once a year to make sure they are okay.
Consider having the male spayed if you have a couple, to prevent them from reproducing
Step 3. Learn about the most common diseases of gliders
If kept in good condition, gliders generally do not require great expense or care. However, from time to time they can get sick from essential nutrient deficiencies, if they don't move enough or for other reasons. If you notice any signs that your pet is unwell, take him to the vet right away. Here are some common diseases that can plague them:
- Calcium deficiency, which can cause paralysis and can be prevented with proper nutrition.
- Constipation or indigestion.
- Injuries from scratching or rubbing on sharp parts of the cage.
- Parasites, such as ticks, fleas or worms.
- Obesity if they eat too many fatty foods.
- Stress caused by lack of socialization.
Step 4. Contact other glider owners in your area
It is a lot of fun to talk to other glider enthusiasts and share the pleasure of having these animals. Plus, they can be a great resource if you have any questions. There are many forums and blogs dedicated to gliders.
Step 5. Be careful when you let them out
Gliders can only come out when they have established a good bond with you - in which case they are unlikely to escape, as they see you as the safe place to return to. Either way, you need to avoid taking gliders out if they haven't established a good bond with you yet.
Watch out for other animals and loud noises that could scare the gliders, causing them to climb into a tree or into the eaves. They are very quick to escape
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Habitat
Step 1. Purchase or build a sizable cage
One of the most fascinating characteristics of gliders is that they can open their legs and glide in the air; to do this in captivity they need a rather high cage. While many breeders may give you a cage when purchasing gliders, it may not be large enough. The minimum cage size for a pair of gliders is 1 meter high by 60cm wide, with bars no more than 1.2cm apart. If you have space, the bigger (and taller) the cage, the better. You can buy it online or at a pet store. Many glider owners build custom cages, adapted to the needs of the animals.
- Avoid galvanized steel cages - they can rust and cause urinary tract infections in male gliders.
- Make sure the cage is meshed or has horizontal bars that allow the gliders to climb.
Step 2. Place the cage on a large tray filled with litter
This is useful for absorbing dirt and food scraps, and you can easily change the litter box when it gets dirty. A plastic or metal tray is fine. Use wood cobs or other non-toxic litter, available at pet stores. Change it about once a week.
- Avoid using cedar or pine litter. The oils contained in these types of wood can cause health problems for sugar gliders.
- If you don't want to buy litter, you can use shredded newspaper or other non-toxic material available at home.
Step 3. Place a nest or baby carrier
Gliders are nocturnal animals and in nature they sleep in trees. To replicate this captive experience, place a wooden birdhouse, a fabric bag with an opening on the side, or another dark, warm container at the top of the cage. Attach it to one side of the cage using string to secure it to the net or bars. Gliders will be able to climb it to rest when they want.
- It is important to make sure that the nest is made of non-toxic materials. An organic canvas or wool bag are good choices, or an unpainted and untreated birdhouse with paint or lacquer. Choose something that the glider's nails and fingers can't get caught in.
- Hollow coconut shells are another popular option. Put more than one to give you more choice.
Step 4. Add branches and toys to the cage
Gliders are intelligent animals and need a stimulating environment. You need to provide them with psychological stimulation with interesting objects to see, touch, smell and climb on. Attach the branches to the sides of the cage to simulate their natural environment. Many toddlers' toys are safe for gliders, as are finished spools of thread and hamster wheels. Consider swapping out toys and repositioning items in the cage on regular time bases.
- Search the internet for more ideas on how to improve the glider habitat as much as possible. Glider forums are full of great ideas on toys and other cool items to add to the cage.
- If gliders are not sufficiently stimulated they become depressed. This can lead to long-term health problems.
Part 3 of 3: Feeding the Glider
Step 1. Provide healthy eating
Gliders are native to Australia, where they survive by feeding on sap, bird eggs, lizards, insects, and other wild food. Preparing food for gliders is more like feeding zoo animals than opening a packet of treats. There are several meal plans available, which provide three-step nutrition strategies. These help gliders get all the calcium they need to avoid malnutrition and HLP (hind leg paralysis). Do some research online to find a suitable diet.
- It may seem that preparing food for gliders takes a long time, but once you get used to it, you can prepare enough food for a week at one time. The important thing is to make sure you are providing the right amount of proteins, sugars and fats and that the gliders are getting all the minerals necessary for their good health.
- Do not give gliders food for dogs, cats or other foods that are not specific to them. These do not contain the nutrients necessary for these pets to grow healthy.
Step 2. Have snacks on hand
Gliders love snacks and these can help you bond with them. One of the most nutritious snacks are live beetle larvae. Seeing how happy they will be, the disgust will pass (many pet shops sell special plastic tweezers).
- Other snacks include fresh fruit, dried papaya, dried coconut, yogurt drops, pine nuts (in limited doses), peas, and lick foods, such as yogurt, grated apple or baby food (tropical fruits and chicken with apple are favorites).
- When choosing snacks, avoid all artificial sweeteners, dyes, and other unnatural ingredients.
- Never give the glider sugar, candy or chocolate - they will cause health problems.
Step 3. Food and water must always be available in the cage
Place two special metal bowls on the bottom of the cage. The water bowl must always be full, while you have to put a portion of food for each glider rather than filling the bowl to the brim. If there are any leftovers at the end of the day, throw them away and provide fresh food the next morning.
Advice
- Make sure you have a cage large enough for the gliders to glide.
- Gliders are marsupials, not squirrels. Don't give them nuts or other nuts.
- Check that it is legal to keep gliders as pets in your country.
- Consider adoption. Many people buy gliders impulsively, because they are cuddly and cute, then regret that decision when they realize how much work it takes to care for them. Adoption takes a little more effort to bond with the animal and earn its trust, but it's worth it.
Warnings
- A frightened glider bites, but it's often more of a pinch than a real bite. Don't keep doing anything that scares him.
- Plastic bags terrify gliders. It is not known why, but the animal drifts away if the noise is heard.
