Sugar Glider
Exam & Consultation
We strongly recommend you have your sugar glider examined every 12 months. They are very good at hiding their illnesses and injuries and the physical exam is a good time to make sure they are healthy. It’s always good to catch a problem early before it becomes more expensive and difficult to treat. We know several things change from year to year with sugar gliders and even though these changes may appear minor, they can be quite dramatic. The sooner we see a change that isn’t part of the normal aging process, the sooner we might be able to intervene and help.
Biological Facts & Behaviors Petaurus breviceps. They are tree-dwelling, nocturnal marsupials from Australia and New Guinea. Usually very social animals, it’s important to keep them in groups of two or more. Solitary gliders require a lot of attention from their owners. The best time to adopt and socialize is with joeys 7-12 weeks out of pouch. Sugar gliders are very vocal: they “crab” when excited, and “bark” or “chatter” for attention. They can glide up to 150 feet with a thin membrane between wrists and ankles. The average weight is 4-6 oz. and they are about 12 in. long. Their captive lifespan is 12-14 years. They are sexually mature by 9-12 months. Scent marking behavior allows recognition by group members. Intact males develop a bald scent gland on head and chest at maturity.
Diet & Nutrition
BML (recipe below) or a commercial diet for insectivore/carnivore (ie: Briskeys Accufeed Sugar Glider diet) are the best options. Sugar gliders need fresh fruit and vegetables (NOT canned, dried, or trail mix) such as chopped apple, mango, grape, carrot, sweet potato, etc. They are heavily insectivorous – supply gut loaded crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and moths. Sugar gliders require 50% protein in their diet supplied by insects, lean boiled chicken or turkey, scrambled egg, cottage cheese, or yogurt. Fresh foods and insects can be dusted with mineral supplements such as Repcal or Herptivite, and supplements such as Glideraide, Supreem blend, or lory nectar may also be offered.
Bourbon’s Modified Leadbeaters Mixture (BML)
1/2 cup honey (do not use honeycomb, raw, or unfiltered honey)
1 hard boiled or scrambled egg with shell
1/4 cup apple juice (not frozen or for babies)
1 4-oz bottle premixed Gerber juice with yogurt (mixed fruit or banana)
1 teaspoon Rep-Cal Herptivite vitamin supplement
2 teaspoons Rep-Cal Calcium supplement (non-phosphorous with Vitamin D3)
2 2 1/2-oz jars Stage 1 or 2 Heinz, Gerber, or Beechnut chicken baby food
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup dry baby cereal (Heinz, Gerber, or mixed oatmeal)
Blend the first three ingredients together until well mixed. Add the remaining ingredients and blend well. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. 1 cube is approximately 2 tablespoons. Good for 1 month
Recommended daily diet for one sugar glider:
1 tablespoon BML
1 tablespoon chopped fruits
1 tablespoon chopped vegetables
3 tablespoons insects
Home Environment
Sugar gliders require large cages (minimum 2 cubic feet, should be as large as possible). Wire caging is best with mesh size no larger than 1/2 ” to 3/4 “. Require non-toxic branches (manzanita, apple, citrus) for perching, chewing, and exercise. They need pouches or nest boxes near the top of the enclosure for resting and hiding. Use aspen or paper bedding – avoid cedar and pine as these can cause respiratory problems. The environment should be draft free and 70-90° F. Do not place in bright sunlight. Keeping the cage and bedding very clean will help prevent odor as well as fur-pulling and self-mutilation problems.
Health Maintenance Care
- Annual physical exam and fecal analysis is strongly recommended.
- Neutering males prevents development of prominent scent glands.
- Toenails require regular trimming.
- No vaccinations are required.
Common Health Problems
- Malnutrition and its consequences (hand limb paralysis, tremors, rickets, cataracts, & blindness).
- Stress related disease (self-mutilation, eating disorders, cannibalism of young).
- Pneumonia.
- Diarrhea.
- Internal parasites.
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