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These social, territorial mammals live in small groups. This possum is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) marsupial that lives in forests and rainforests of mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and some nearby islands. The Sugar Glider is also known as the Lesser Flying Phalanger and the Short-Headed Flying Phalanger. Our subscribers' grade-level estimate for this page: Today's featured page: Car Travel Activity Book If bought frozen, they're fine, but otherwise they need to be is a user-supported site.Īs a bonus, site members have access to a banner-ad-free version of the site, with print-friendly pages.
Do not feed garlic, rhubarb, onions, or anything in those families. They don't contain the nutritional makeup that sugar gliders need to thrive. Do not feed sugar gliders dog food, cat food or other foods not meant for sugar gliders. The important thing is to make sure you provide the right ration of protein, sugars, and fats, and ensure your gliders are getting the minerals they need to stay healthy. It may seem as though food prep for sugar gliders will take a lot of time, but once you get the hang of it you can prepare enough food for the whole month in one day. They have too little protein as well as fillers. Never feed gliders pellets as a total diet, while they are okay as a snack or emergency food, they are not a good diet. Do some research online to find one that works for you, add some of them are more strict than others. Both help the gliders get the calcium they need to avoid malnutrition and HLP (hind leg paralysis). Be sure to follow them exactly as if you don't you may throw off the ratios. All these diets are accompanied by fruits and vegetables nightly. There are several diet plans available, such as TPG, BML, or OHPW, which all provide a Step by step guide for feeding gliders. Preparing food for sugar gliders is more like feeding animals in a zoo than opening a bag of kibble. Sugar gliders are native to Australia, Indonesia, and a few other places, where they live on a diet of sap, bird eggs, lizards, insects, and other wild foods. Remember that wood is harder to clean and absorbs odors though. Check that the wood if safe for gliders, of building or buying a wooden cage. They have opposable thumbs and can climb easily on horizontal or vertical bars. No need to worry about the direction of the bars. Avoid galvanized steel cages because they can rust and cause urinary tract infections in gliders. Many glider owners build custom cages that fit the needs of their household. There are several sources for cages online, or you can check your local pet store. If you have extra room, the bigger (and taller) the better. The minimum cage size for a pair of gliders is 3 feet (0.9 m) high by 2 feet (0.6 m) wide with no more than 1⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) bar spacing. Though many breeders will give you a cage with your purchase, it may not be big enough. In order to do this, in captivity, they need a nice tall cage. One amazing qualities sugar gliders have is their ability to spread their legs and glide through the air. Make sure a towel is covering the hole underneath the door, a plug is in the bathtub, and the toilet seat is down.īuy or build a sizable cage.
Another great idea if you don't have a tent is "tub time" where you can sit in a clean bathtub with them.One useful technique for play time is "tent time." Playing with your gliders in a tent allows them freedom to roam without worrying about making a mad dash to catch them before they end up somewhere you can't coax them out of.This will help them understand they shouldn't fear you. Offer them when you wake them up to put them in a bonding pouch or when you want to play with them. This also helps them get used to your scent. Carry them close to your chest and don't let it bounce around too much. They'll mainly sleep and you can coax them into the pouch with treats. Carrying them in a bonding pouch during the day is a great way to bond.They are very scent oriented and this will help them recognize you as part of their colony. Starting the bonding process is as simple as wearing some fleece squares on your person for a few days, then putting them inside their sleeping pouch.It's much better to get two gliders if you want them to stay happy and healthy.
Though some breeders will sell single gliders, gliders do much better in pairs or colonies.X Research source Before bringing home a glider and starting the bonding process, make sure you want to keep the glider for its entire lifespan, which could be up to 15 years. Gliders form strong bonds and can become despondent when the bond is broken. Gliders are capable of a lot of love and if you spend time with them and give them respect, they will grow to trust you. One of the most special things about sugar gliders is their need for socialization.