Sugar Gliders
Husbandry
Sugar gliders make good pets if given sufficient socialization and ample space. When hand reared, they adapt well to captivity and develop a strong bond with their human companions.
These are time consuming pets, with recommended socialization periods of at least two hours a day. Due to their nocturnal nature, the best time for handling is in the evening. Advantages of these pets include their small size, playfulness and intelligence. Sugar gliders have longer life spans than comparably sized pets, living up to ten to twelve years in captivity. Disadvantages include the nocturnal nature, housing requirements, dietary needs and musky odor.

A sugar glider cage should be as large as possible because of their active nature. These animals need space to climb, run and jump. Minimum cage size is 20” x 20” x 36”. Cages should be made of wire for good ventilation, with wire spacing no more than 1” by 0.5” wide. Sugar gliders tolerate temperatures between 65F and 90F, with an ideal range of 75F to 80F. The cage must have designed areas for food, water, shelter and exercise. Several food and water dishes should be placed in various locations throughout the cage. A nest box or sleeping pouch positioned high in the cage gives the sugar glider a place to sleep during the day. Bedding for the nest site is not necessary, but hardwood shavings, recycled paper substrate or shredded paper can be provided. Branches, perches and shelves can be placed at various levels of the cage to allow for the natural climbing behaviors. Sugar gliders enjoy playing with bird toys, such as swings and chew toys. Plastic wheels without open rungs are used for exercise as well as with hamsters. A variety of objects throughout the cage provides stimulation and entertainment for the pet.

Nutrition
Sugar gliders have broad dietary needs. The diet of the wild sugar glider includes sap and gum from eucalyptus and acacia trees, nectar and pollen, manna and honeydew and a wide variety of insects and arachnids. Their diet varies with the season. These animals are primarily insectivorous during the spring and summer months. During the winter months, the sugar glider feeds on gum from the eucalyptus and acacia trees, as well as sap and sugar excretions from the trees and sap-sucking insects. Although these animals readily accept fruit, nuts and grains, these are not a substantial part of their natural diet. Contrary to the nutritional needs observed in the wild, much of the information found in lay publications lists fruit and vegetables as a major portion of the captive diet.

Several components make up the recommended sugar glider diet. The captive diet should include nectar, insects, other protein sources and limited fruit and vegetables. Protein is a critical nutritional factor in sugar gliders. Various protein sources include insects (mealworms and crickets), eggs, newborn mice, lean meat and commercial protein sources (insectivore diets, monkey chow). Another natural dietary component is sap and nectar, which provides the necessary carbohydrates. Sources include fresh nectar, honey and artificial nectar products. Examples of commercial products include prepared lorry diets and Gliderade&Mac226; (Avico). Commercial sugar glider and insectivore diets are available and should be included as part of the diet. Leafy green vegetables can be provided as a source of fiber and certain vitamins. Sugar gliders accept a wide variety of other foods, including fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds (sunflower and pumpkin). Fruit juices and strained baby food can be offered if free of preservatives. Since these foods are not a significant component of the natural diet, they should constitute less than 10% of the diet. A broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement with a good calcium supply is lightly sprinkled on the food daily.

A simplified diet for captive sugar gliders has been proposed. The diet consists of 50% insectivore/carnivore diet and 50% Leadbeater’s mixture, with a small amount of other foods as treats. Various insectivore/carnivore diets are marketed and the choice depends on reliability of the company, availability to the owner and acceptance by the pet. The Leadbeater’s mixture consists of 150 ml water, 150 ml honey, I shelled hard-boiled egg, 25 mg high protein baby cereal and 1 tsp vitamin and mineral mixture. This mixture is kept refrigerated until served. The mixture can be frozen for later use, with refrigerated portions discarded after about 3 days. Acceptable treat food can include lean meats, diced fruit, bee pollen and gut-loaded insects. Treats should constitute less than 5% of this diet.
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital