They are originally from the rainforests of Australia and Indonesia , and have been domestically bred as household pets in the United States for the last 12-15 years. They got the name "Sugar Bears" because they: like to eat almost anything that is sweet, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, and.
In captivity, sugar gliders are often kept alone which is detrimental to their mental health; they are prone to depression and at times will self-harm. However, when sugar gliders are kept in a social group, they will bond strongly with their own species and can become extremely aggressive to their human owners.
Native mammals like kangaroos, quolls and sugar gliders cannot be kept as pets in NSW. The best place for native animals is in the bush where they can live in their natural environment. Native mammals have special needs and do not thrive in confined domestic environments.
Sugar gliders are not easy to care for pets. They take patience and careful attention. They are not easily potty trained but can live happily in an enclosure which will help to reduce some of the mess. They also require special attention to their diet to maintain well-balanced nutrition.
The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small, omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possum. The common name refers to its predilection for sugary foods such as sap and nectar and its ability to glide through the air, much like a flying squirrel.
In the wild, they eat the sap and gum of the eucalyptus and acacia tree, plus pollen, nectar, manna (a sugar deposit from the sap oozing from wounds on tree branches or trunks), honeydew (sugar secreted by sap-sucking insects), and a wide variety of insects and spiders.
The average sugar glider will live 12-15 years with proper husbandry (care) and veterinary care. The oldest reported sugar glider lived to almost 18 years old.
Cons of Having a Sugar Glider. However, owning a sugar glider as a pet also has its drawbacks, such as their high energy levels that require daily interaction, and their specific dietary needs, which can be expensive and time-consuming to meet.
Sugar gliders have a natural, musky smell that will always be present even if they are bathed. However, this smell can be reduced by maintaining the correct diet. You can also litter train a sugar glider, and deep clean their cage every two weeks.
Sugar gliders are the main predator of some of Tasmania's most endangered birds, including the imperilled swift parrot.
Sugar gliders are common in the coastal lowlands and inland eucalyptus and rainforests of northern and eastern Australia.
Sugar gliders are omnivorous and eat a wide range of foods including eucalyptus and acacia tree sap, nectar, pollen, insects and sometimes lizards and small birds.
Such bites rarely hurt, but most likely will take a human by surprise. Once you have earned its trust and formed a bond with your sugar glider, it will enjoy grooming you. When it grooms you, it will bite lightly (more like scraping its teeth on your skin) and lick repetitively.
Sugar Gliders are known as a type of “pocket pet” due to their small size, and because they enjoy cuddling with their owners.
1)Sugar gliders are very clean animals they groom themselves and do not need baths. They even don't like sticky stuff on their hands so they'll attempt to get it off their hand by “tossing it”.
Unfortunately, sugar gliders cannot fly, but they do glide some impressive distances due to a unique body part that a few other animals also have.
Sugar gliders make for playful, curious, and social pets. But they do require frequent handling to keep them tame, along with ample space for exercise.
Because of this extra skin, you should NEVER use any type of harness, collar, leash, or other restrictive gear on these animals! These devices can cause serious injury to the fragile skin membrane. See our Glider Injuries & Ailments blog for photos of a harness injury.
It is likely that dogs will frighten sugar gliders. Sugar gliders will need their own space away from your dog in the event of stress or fear. Also, never, EVER leave the two alone together.
Sugar Gliders in the wild are opportunistic omnivores. They eat primarily vegetables, nectar from tree saps, insects, and some fruits.
ABOUT SUGAR GLIDERS
They are nocturnal animals which means that they sleep through the day and are awake and active at night.
Sugar gliders are colony animals and need to be kept in pairs of 2 or more for their mental well being. That's why The Pet Glider will only sell you 2 or more sugar gliders when you purchase from us!