Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are known to be very interesting and charming Pets and are mostly nocturnal. One of their characteristics is that they glide from one tree to another, which makes them look very beautiful, and has gained a lot of popularity for this reason. They have special skin and eyes between their front and back limbs, and they use these unique features to fly in search of food or shelter.
Sugar gliders have a long tail which contributes to their balance while gliding. Sugar gliders can be found in the islands of Australia and even Indonesia. They are primarily territorial animals and inhabit heavily wooded regions. Most of their time is spent in the forest. These creatures are truly remarkable.
For More Information About Gliders
Physical Appearance of Sugar Gliders
Size And Weight
Sugar gliders range from six to eight inches in length without counting the tail. Their tails are around eight to twelve inches long. These glide tails are used for balancing while gliding.
On average, females have a smaller frame compared to male sugar gliders. Generally, the average weight is around 80 to 130 grams.
Color and Skin Fur
Fur And Color It is lightweight enabling it not to burden the bear. In fact, it does not make the pet feel restricted in any way. Furthermore, it’s easily washable. When the fur is put in a washing machine on the spin cycle it does shrink, however, it does keep it original shape and length.
Their bodies are pale in color as obligate sappers, and they filter the air in search of food.
Sugar Gliders Food And Diet
For their good health, it is important to take care of their food. If they are not given good food, they may face many problems. In the wild, they mostly use juice in their food and they are omnivores, so they also use plants and animals in their diet. They eat fruits, and insects, and like mice. They should be given food that is rich in protein and it is very important to keep their digestion good, for which you should get a check-up from a doctor.
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Mangos
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Crickets
Sugar Gliders As A pet
These are very interesting pets that have a very good relationship with people and it like to keep them as pets in their homes. If they are well cared for, they live for 12 to 15 years, while in the wild they live for five to ten years and they live in groups. They can bite due to fear, so they should be treated gently.
Housing Requirements for Sugar Gliders
Cage-Size
Their living space should be open and spacious. You should take into account their size and other things because they are very agile and need plenty of space to climb and jump. The size of their cage should be at least 24 long and 36 wide inches. If it is larger than that, it is also better. Use metal or steel wire for their cage.
Do not have a cage for them whose bars are too wide or large because they can squeeze them and get out. The distance between the bars should not be more than half an inch because it helps them a lot in escaping. In addition, be sure to use shelves inside it, which makes them enjoy climbing and jumping a lot more. Wooden branches or ropes in their living space also provide natural exposure.
Temperature
Do not keep your gliders in bright light as they are mostly nocturnal. The heating in their living space should be between 75F and 90F and they should not be kept in an environment that is less than 70F at night.
Bedding
Use soft bedding in their living space, which you can also use paper towels for, and be sure to clean the cage once a week.
Common Health Problems
Obesity
As they are fond of food, they should be given a balanced diet so that they can maintain their health and not become overweight, which can cause joint problems.
Dental Problems
Sugar gliders still have a lot of dental problems that can grow very large and make it very difficult for them to chew. Make sure they have access to safe chew toys or branches.
Handling And Care Tips
They are very beautiful pets, people like to keep them at home. When you feed them or do any exercise with them, be gentle with them and hold them gently so that they do not get scared.. If you keep them at home, you have to take good care of them, which is very important for their health Apart from that, keep their living space clean. Clean it once a week and their diet should be rich in protein. Give them a quiet bed to sleep on and spend as much time with them as possible.
LifeSpan
In Captivity
Because as pets they are given a very good environment and are well cared for and fed with proper food, due to which they can live for 15 to 20 years.
In The Wild
They live for 5-10 years in the wild because they face many problems there, such as poor food availability and the threat of predators.
Breeding of Sugar Gliders
This process is very beneficial, but it can also be complicated, so you should take good care of them. When they mate, they should be at least one year old and in good health. Their gestation period lasts about 15 to 20 days, and the baby stays in the mother’s pouch for about 60-70 days after birth and drinks milk. When the baby is 10 weeks old, give it good food so that it can develop well.
Price and Cost
Their prices vary depending on their colors and beauty, with a healthy glider costing between 300 to 1500 dollars, while a mature adult costs between 100 to 1000$.
Conclusion
These are very interesting and good animals that people like to keep as pets at home because they are known for their beauty. Their white color and their bloodshot eyes make them very attractive. They live for 12 years here if they have good food and are kept well, while in the forests they do not live long because there they do not get good food and are also at risk of hunting. Apart from this, they have a lot of health problems such as their teeth growing too much, and eating too much is harmful to their health, so it is important to get them checked by a doctor.
