Frequently Asked Questions
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What does a Sugar Glider eat?Their diet is similar to the ideal human diet. It is very important to
provide them with a balance of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, cheese, breads
and protein.
The balance is important because too much of any one item can be harmful or can cause
problems. At least 75% of their intake should be FRESH vegetables and fruits. The
other 25% should consist of protein. You may provide eggs, small pieces of cooked
chicken or hamburger (make sure it's unseasoned), etc. In the
wild, gliders get protein from insects and small animals. I have
bought crickets for my gliders and they love them. Also Brisky
Sugar Glider Accu-Feed is a wonderful supplement. Sugar Gliders MUST get enough
calcium in their diet or else their bones will become soft and brittle and they may become
paralyzed or even die. There can be many other problems from not providing
proper diet. Here is a list of some of the
foods I feed my gliders.
Many owners keep Sugar Gliders in bird cages. A large, sturdy wire bird or rabbit cage is the healthiest and cleanest place to keep your pet, unless you can build (or buy) a large pen with wire mesh. Of course, the more space you can provide, the better off your pet will be. The most important thing is to keep their home clean and safe. I prefer not to use shavings or any kind of substrate in the bottom of Xylo's cage. Some bedding materials such as cedar shavings can be harmful to your pet. Paper towels or newspaper on the bottom of the cage works nicely and is easy to remove when it becomes soiled with food or droppings. (It's not safe to put newspaper inside the cage with your gliders because of the chemicals in the ink, but some cages have a wire platform between the gliders and the bottom tray which makes for convenient cleaning.)
You can place accessories such as mirrors, ropes, ladders, and branches in your Glider's cage for added entertainment. It's good exercise for your pet and may help to keep him or her from being bored with their surroundings. Just make sure any branches you choose are not harmful or poisonous and have not been sprayed or treated with any pesticides.
Sugar Gliders prefer to nest high in their cages. In the wild, they make their nests high in the treetops. I sewed a pouch from an old pair of sweat pants, and hung it from the side of the cage near the top. Then I placed a shoulder pad (the kind found in some ladies' blouses) inside the pouch to form a little mattress. I think this provides a warm and comfortable nesting place where they can feel safe and secure. Fleece is also a good fabric for pouches. Just make sure any bedding is machine washable so you can clean it often and easily. Also remember their little claws snag easily so make sure it's a cloth that they won't get hung up in.
Sugar Gliders are nocturnal animals which means they sleep all day and are up all night. This works out well for us since I work all day and am home to feed and play with them by the time they wake up.
Gliders are curious and playful animals who love to climb and jump. But every Sugar Glider has it's own unique personality. Some are very active and like to explore and scurry about. Others like to sit in one place for a while and survey the surroundings before leaping into the air and onto whatever is in reach.
I have noticed that Xylo is much less active when the lights are turned on. When the bright overhead light is on, sometimes he will sit quietly on my hand and let me kiss and pet him. And when I feed him at night, if he's not being very active, as soon as I turn out the lights, I can hear him start scurrying around in his cage and picking up food from his dish.
How long do they live?Sugar Gliders can live well over 10 years in captivity providing they are given good care. With the proper nutrition and a clean & safe environment, your pet could live a very long time.
Sugar Gliders are usually very docile and affectionate animals, who like being held and petted. Although it may bite (just like any other animal) if it is frightened or in pain. If you approach your pet slowly and always handle your pet carefully and gently, you will gain it's trust and build a bond that will strengthen as you get to know each other better. Once your Sugar Glider has become accustomed to you, it will have no reason to bite.
A Glider's claws grow very long and sharp. In the wild they would normally be kept worn down by climbing and digging but in captivity they don't get the same opportunities so it's important to help them take care of their nails. Just like other pets, their claws need to be trimmed regularly. It's best to let a Vet do it, but if you feel confident that you know how, you can trim them with baby nail clippers. Your pet is very small and wiggly and it's very difficult to hold them still, so the only time I would attempt this myself is while he is asleep, and even then it's not easy. If he jerks or pulls his foot you could accidentally clip off his whole toe!
So please, be VERY careful if you try it yourself. You must also take great caution not to cut into the quick. There is a tiny vein that runs through each claw and if you clip to close to it, It's very painful and will bleed. You only need to clip the very tips of the claw. Not very much at all.
Are they noisy or messy? 
Gliders make several noises. The most unusual sound is called
"crabbing." They make this noise when they are frightened or just don't
want to be disturbed. Xylo used to make this noise a lot when I first got him, but
he hardly does it anymore now. It's a grating, whirring sound, like a chainsaw or a
pencil sharpener. It can be very loud. I've also heard Xylo make little
grunting, clucking noises. This is usually when I give him something very tasty.
He grunts or clucks when I give him foods he likes and when he's curling up in his
pouch to go to sleep. It's a sweet little sound.
Another common sound is barking. Gliders sometimes bark for attention or
maybe to communicate with other Gliders. I had Xylo for about two months before I
heard this sound. It's a sharp yapping sound (like a tiny Chihuahua).
He usually barks very early in the morning around 4am.
As for being messy...They often drop or sling bits of food outside the cage. Mostly it's a small mess and won't be too bad as long as you clean it up each morning. It's important to remove any uneaten food each morning to prevent germs or bacteria and keep your little glider healthy and safe.
click here to listen to Xylo crabbing!
click here to listen to Xylo barking!
