What do you know about sugar gliders? They are small exotic animals native to Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.
Sugar gliders glide and have a squirrel-like bodies, which is the reason why they are sometimes called “flying squirrels.”
These “flying squirrels” are mostly found in the forests with eucalyptus trees as eucalyptus is their main source of sugar.
Now we turn to the appearance of sugar gliders. While some people find them scary, others are ready for pet sugar gliders. Sugar gliders have big eyes, long tails, soft fur and black stripes on their bodies. The fur is blue-gray in color and sometimes yellow. There are also albino sugar gliders (which are rare).
These small exotic animals are nocturnal. At night they hunt insects and are very active. In the daytime they usually sleep.
If you want to keep them as pets there’s some things to consider beforehand.
Sugar gliders are recommended to be kept in groups. They are wild and are used to living in communities. When a sugar glider is alone, it may feel depressed. So you should carefully consider whether you are really ready to keep them.
Sugar gliders can be noisy sometimes. They produce too much of “s” sound when they are scared and it sounds like cussing.
Gliders mark their territory with saliva (male gliders), so you will have to permanently “keep an eye” on the cage.
Now we turn to pet sugar glider care.
Diet. Fruits and vegetables are the right food for sugar gliders. Give your pet pears, apples, peaches, and so forth. Sugar gliders love eating sugar food like sap and nectar (this is another reason why they are called “sugar” gliders) but you should limit food containing sugar to keep the proper nutrition balance. If they eat too much, they will have health problems.
They are clean and don’t emit any specific scents. But you will have to bear certain odors in your house if the diet is off balance. So pay attention to their diet.
Water. Give them plenty of fresh water as sugar gliders drink much fluids.
Also don’t forget to keep a dark place in the cage so that your sugar glider sleeps well.
Compared to other pets these animals are not prone to diseases.
Gliders are known as intelligent, entertaining and loving creatures. You won’t get bored with sugar gliders though it’s not easy to tame them. Just be a bit patient with them.
Photo © Sandra Elford
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