What you need to know about sugar gliders before you get an exotic pet

Follow these steps to set your sugar glider up for success

Sugar glider clings to their owner's thumb
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Choosing a small pet involves almost as much deliberation as selecting a breed of dog. While there are a lot of factors to take into account, a sugar glider might turn out to be the perfect fit with their curious personality, attachment to your family, and fondness for pockets.

Like any exotic pet, gliders require expert care plus some dedicated research to choose the right breeder or pet store. But with the right prep, your new mammal will fit in perfectly and bond with the whole family. Keep reading to find out if sugar gliders are good pets.

Recommended Videos

What are sugar gliders?

Unlike most little pets, sugar gliders aren’t rodents but marsupials. This gives you a few distinct advantages, as they behave differently from hamsters, guinea pigs, or gerbils. For starters, these are highly social creatures and they will bond with every member of the family and even other pets in the house. Because gliders don’t smell like the animals your cats and dogs like to chase — rats, gophers, and bunnies, to name a few — many bigger pets can get along with your new friend. You’ll need to introduce them carefully, but they can form lifelong attachments to each other.

Many owners recommend getting a pair or a small family, so they can keep each other company, especially at night when they like to play (and you like to sleep). Also, some people with allergies find they coexist just fine with this mini marsupial, unlike with other pets that might trigger sneezes. Best of all, sugar gliders live up to 15 years! You’ll have your furry friend for a long time.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do they act?

Because your new best bud will bond with everyone in the household, you’ll need to spend a lot of time handling and playing with them. The good news is they will love just sleeping the day away in your pocket or bag — really anywhere they can feel like they are close to you.

Remember, these little buggers from Down Under are nocturnal, which means they’re energetic at night. You’ll probably want to maintain their enclosure outside of any bedrooms. Since they also need room to move, it’s best to give them a large space. Select an area of the house equipped for a big cage. Be careful if you’re keeping a few males together as they can become territorial, and you don’t want them fighting or marking their territory (ew).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Who can own a glider?

Many places in the U.S. require a permit and some prohibit keeping them as pets entirely. You’ll need to carefully look into all laws and restrictions — even your homeowner’s association or similar might have rules about these unusual animals. On the state level, Alaska, California, and Hawaii have all banned sugar gliders (and some other exotic pets).

When picking out your new fuzzball, you must diligently research breeders, too. First, make sure they’re licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but that’s just the beginning. Look at where the gliders were kept as babies and make sure the parents and littles look healthy. Never take a young one away from their mom under 12 weeks. If you want to go the extra mile, find a homeless animal nearby to adopt. Since they live for over a decade, you can take in an older pet and still have a long time together. If you’re extra mindful of bonding, your glider will adapt in no time.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you take care of one?

Sugar glider care is complex, and you should consider whether you’re up to the task before bringing him home.

Research local vets

Not every animal doctor will accept an exotic pet like this, so you’ll need to find someone in your area who does. However, marsupials don’t catch the same diseases as cats or dogs and should require fewer checkups if everything’s going well.

Buy materials

The cage and sugar glider nourishment will both go on this list (more on those later). In addition to the usuals, you will also need bedding, cleaning supplies, plus a food and water bowl.

Get the right food

Because the sugar glider likes to sleep during the day, their biggest feeding time happens in the evening. They love to snack on fruit, but protein needs to be the staple of their diet. Specially designed food from the pet store will nourish them well, though you can try feeding them bugs, too, which they heartily enjoy.

Set up their cage

As the name suggests, these critters can jump from branch to branch in the wild or from branch to your hand in captivity, so you should add many perches to keep them entertained. They also have to work to stay warm since their ancestors came from tropical forests. Include a heating source in the housing, especially if they sleep there at night when temperatures drop.

Accessorize

Just providing your pet with the basics won’t lead to a fulfilling life. You want to add a nest, whether a box or hammock. On top of that, look into toys, either for gliders specifically or toys for birds, which are often of interest.

While not right for everyone, a sugar glider might perfectly complete your family. Many owners find carrying them around becomes second nature, and lots of these pets travel really well because of it. If you research thoroughly and train them carefully, you’ll have a friend constantly by your side.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
7 telltale signs of a dying hamster (and what you should do)
Here's how to figure out if your pet hamster is dying (or possibly just hibernating)

It's one of the saddest parts of owning a pet: We know that someday we'll have to say goodbye. Our pets never live long enough for us, and preparing for the end can be painful (though important). Your pet hamster will be with you for between two and three years of happy life — full of spinning wheels and treats. Once they're getting close to the end, though, you'll want to help ease their passing, keeping them warm and comfortable.

By paying close attention to the signs of a dying hamster, you can be ready to step in as a pet parent and help them finish the end of their life well. Watch out for any of these symptoms, which should be accompanied by a visit to the vet, since they can have a few different causes.

Read more
Is my rabbit pregnant? 5 telltale signs you should know
Look for these signs to confirm your rabbit will soon have babies

What's better than one pet rabbit? An entire litter of bunnies (as long as you're prepared for them, of course). If you've been wondering, "Is my rabbit pregnant?" now is the time to find out for sure. After all, you don't want to be caught unaware and suddenly have a whole new colony of animals in your hutch.

Sometimes, lady bunnies can take on the behaviors of expectant mamas, but it's actually a false pregnancy. The best way to find out if your rabbit is pregnant is to take her to the vet and have them confirm it. However, when you're figuring it out yourself, you should look for the signs that a rabbit is pregnant. If you spot these behaviors, be sure to call your animal doctor.

Read more
3 reasons not to give pet rabbits, baby chicks, or ducks this Easter
Things to consider before getting or gifting small animals this holiday

Peter Cottontail isn't the only one hopping down the bunny trail this April. Tons of baby animals are opening their eyes to the world for the very first time, and it's oh-so-hard to resist the cuteness. From bunnies to chicks and even ducks, these animals are the perfect symbols of spring.
Sometimes, these animals make great pets, too. But is a holiday the right time to gift a pet? We think all potential pet owners should consider some important, realistic facts, especially if they're considering owning or gifting a baby animal for Easter. This is a big decision, after all! Here's what to know first.

Pet ownership is for their whole life, not just the baby phase
As precious as baby chicks and ducklings can be, they'll grow up into chickens and ducks one day. You'll only get a few months of babyhood to enjoy, though even those early months will be filled with chores and messes of all kinds. Remember, caring for a baby animal is still caring for an animal!

Read more