Sugar gliders are some amazing creatures! They are energetic, playful, and cuddly when they bond with you enough. On top of this, sugar gliders are becoming more popular in America due to their exotic features.
Because of their growing popularity, we will review the pros and cons of getting them. After all, even though sugar gliders are highly social beings, they might not be for everyone due to scheduling or other circumstances in your home.
In addition to discussing the positives and negatives of owning a sugar glider, we will ask commonly asked questions that you might have before investing in one. This article is your ultimate guide to owning one, so we recommend continuing reading for more information!
What Are Sugar Gliders?
When you think of the word “sugar glider,” one with a vast imagination might think of real sugar gliding off into the distance! All jokes aside, sugar gliders are innately small animals that glide through the air, like a flying squirrel does.
These animals have special diets that feed off sugary foods, like nectar or sap, hence the name “sugar” at the beginning of their names. Sugar gliders come from the petauridae family, which includes the striped opossum.
What Are The Positives Of Sugar Gliders?
Sugar gliders have many unique and interesting qualities. Here are some of the great aspects of owning one!
1. Sugar Gliders Live a Long Time
In captivity, sugar gliders typically live to be about 12 to 15 years of age! The longest recorded sugar glider to ever live is 18 years. Sugar gliders will stick around with you through proper care and nutrition for quite some time! Because of this, you have plenty of time to form a bond with your small pet.
2. Some Gliders Are Very Cuddly
Before moving on to this option, it is essential to note that not all sugar gliders are the same. Some small animals might tolerate you touching them but may not like cuddling. Others might be afraid of you coming near them. In that case, spending time with them ensures they get used to you. However, since all gliders are different, it is essential to consider this option before
On the other hand, many sugar gliders love cuddling with their owners and will give you a light “bite” to groom you. A lot of affectionate gliders might jump on you when you open their doors and crawl up and down your shirt.
These animals might even run up to kiss you or do other affectionate things that show you they love you. It is not 100% certain what they will do to show you affection, but if you are fortunate enough, you will get one with this personality!
3. Entertaining to Watch
Sugar gliders are playful and entertaining to watch, so you can have endless fun hanging out with them! If given enough space, sugar gliders will happily glide from place to place.
Also, gliders are intelligent creatures that can learn tricks like coming when you call them, gliding to a specific area or target, navigating obstacle courses, and more! These tricks are a perfect bonding experience for you and your pet, so take advantage of them!
4. They Are Small
Here at Little Pet Corner, we are happy to say that sugar gliders are relatively small animals! They do not get any larger than 5 to 12 inches long, and their tales can grow 6 to 9 inches long. They only weigh 4 to 5 ounces.
Lastly, you can easily place them in a bonding pouch and carry them around. Of course, if you invest in a bonding pouch, ensure your glider likes this, as some might not want it for themselves. Just like we need to respect other humans, respect what your little pet shows you.
6. They Are Fairly Clean
Sugar gliders naturally groom themselves, so you do not need to bathe them. However, it is essential to ensure that their cage is regularly cleaned.
One thing to consider is that while potty training a glider is not entirely possible, you can help them learn that their designated potty area is in their cage.
Another thing to remember is that sugar gliders are much smaller than dogs, cats, and many other animals. Therefore, it will be harder for them to hold their bladder, and they may have occasional accidents outside their cage.
What Are The Negatives Of Sugar Gliders?
Like many things in life, there are negatives in owning sugar gliders. Knowing what you want to invest in is vital before actually doing it. That way, you are not surprised by how your sugar glider acts!
1. Needs a Large Amount of Space
Sugar gliders are very energetic, so it is no surprise that they need a lot of space. A sugar glider’s cage should be no smaller than 12 square feet in its interior. On top of this, sugar gliders need plenty of vertical space to roam around in.
Gliders also need much room to exercise, sleep, and eat. Also, inside their cage, you will need to put these items to ensure they feel safe, secure and do not get bored:
- Nests or pouches for them to sleep in different places
- Plenty of ladders, swings, branches, rings, bells, etc.
2. Has a Very Specific Diet
Some animal breeds can share specific foods. However, sugar gliders require a particular diet, so it is imperative to get food only meant for them. Their natural diet in the wild consists of a balance of many things, including pollen, insects, sap, and nectar.
If the balance in their diet is not met, their health can have serious consequences, like developing metabolic bone disease due to calcium deficiency. Their diet must replicate what they would have in the wild.
Because sugar gliders have specific dietary needs, this might deter you from wanting one. However, some people find this easy to manage.
3. Nocturnal Animals
Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals. This means they are the most vocal and playful at night. This might not be an issue if you are naturally a night owl or if they are in another room as you, but if you have to get up early to go to school or for work, then having a sugar glider might not be the best option for you.
4. High Maintenance
These animals can be considered high maintenance in terms of how much attention they should receive daily. Sugar gliders need at least two hours of attention from their owners daily.
In addition, sugar gliders are very social creatures, so it is best to keep them in pairs so they do not get lonely. Having multiple gliders means that it will be more costly to maintain them.
It is also essential to plan any social interactions with your small animals during the evening. Sugar gliders will be difficult to bond with for those who typically sleep early.
Here is a quick video briefly explaining how sugar gliders act and why they might be high maintenance.
5. They Are Not Legal Everywhere
Sugar gliders are legal in most states except Hawaii, California, and Alaska. However, some states require permits before legally owning one. These states include Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Georgia. This is because they are considered exotic pets, which can harm local wildlife and agriculture.
Note: Before investing in a sugar glider, ensure you can own one in your region or city. Although legal in the state, it might be illegal in some places.
6. Makes Lots of Noise
Many sugar gliders make quite a bit of noise, especially during the evening when they are the most active.
Although this might not affect you if you are naturally prone to being more awake in the evening or working at night, it will affect those who sleep early or do not like being disturbed at night. On top of that, some people might find their noise annoying, while others find it cute.
Here is a small video showing the noises a sugar glider makes for reference:
7. Has a Distinctive Odor
Before digging deep into this portion of the article, it is essential to note that not all sugar gliders have a distinctive odor.
The biggest time you might find your glider having an odor is if they are not fixed, especially male gliders, due to wanting to mark their territory. Also, if their diet is not balanced, then your tiny fur baby runs the risk of smelling bad as well.
8. Sugar Gliders Need a Specialty Vet
Suppose you have a sugar glider in a rural area or somewhere that does not have access to a lot of resources. In that case, investing in a sugar glider might be unwise as they need a specialty vet. Specialized vets will be more knowledgeable in exotic pets, allowing them to help you out more.
Is A Sugar Glider A Good House Pet?
Sugar gliders can be excellent pets, but only to owners who understand their specific needs and spend some time with them. You must give them plenty of attention, exercise, and ensure they have the proper diet.
If you have a busy life or young children, owning a sugar glider might become difficult as you have other responsibilities to take care of beforehand. Another thing to consider is that although many sugar gliders are lovable, they have the potential to bite if they feel threatened or are not appropriately socialized.
How Much Do Sugar Gliders Cost?
The initial start-up cost for owning a sugar glider is between $350 and $1500. The cost depends on several factors, like veterinary care and the type of food you will provide.
You will need a few things before getting a sugar glider. If you are on a tight budget, we recommend using Marketplace for most of the things you need, as you can find what you need cheaply or even for free. Here are items you will need to get started:
- Bedding and/or cage liners
- Cage
- Food dishes
- Water bowls and bottles
- Nest boxes and/or pouches
- Toys and cage accessories
- Cleaning supplies
- Bonding pouch
- Vitamins
- Food
- Nail trimmer
- Exercise wheel
- Travel carrier (if traveling or just in case)
- Treats
- Exotic vet information and address
Note: Use a reputable breeder while getting a sugar glider. That way, you will know their family’s history, and there will be less chance of any unknown issues in the future.
Is It Bad If A Sugar Glider Bites You?
It is not necessarily bad if a sugar glider bites you, but like all animals, sugar gliders can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
It is important to note that this is rare, but if the bite was severe enough, it may have gotten infected or caused an allergic reaction. To this end, it is essential to go to the doctor and get antibiotics or something of the sort.
However, some sugar gliders may bite by showing you affection or to “groom” you. In that case, ensuring you do not overreact is essential, as they do not see biting as bad behavior.
Regardless of how your sugar glider bit you, it is imperative to remain calm and not jerk your hand away or make a noise to discourage their behavior. Instead, try to understand why they bit you in the first place and use a positive reaction to help calm them down. Never punish your animal for doing something they did not know was wrong as this will cause them to remain afraid and not get used to you.
Conclusion
Sugar gliders are excellent pets to have around your house! If you decide to get one, you will not regret them becoming a part of your family. If you have learned anything from this article, we encourage you to share it with someone interested in owning a glider. If you have more questions, we recommend searching for other articles to ensure you have all the information you need.
