How to Care for a Female Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are tiny marsupials with huge eyes. They are nocturnal and originated from Australia and New Guinea, although they are bred and sold worldwide. Often mistakenly referred to as flying squirrels, sugar gliders cannot actually fly. The thin membrane between the sugar glider's arms and legs stretches out like sails as the gliders leap between tree branches. Sugar gliders can thrive in captivity for up to 12 years, provided certain requirements are met.

Things You'll Need

  • Cage
  • Bedding material
  • Climbing materials
  • Food and water dishes
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Mealworms
  • Carrying pouch
  • Harness (optional)
  • Leash (optional)
Show More

Instructions

  1. Housing

    • 1

      Provide a cage large enough for the female sugar glider to thrive. The habitat should be at least 3 feet square with bars spaced not more than a half inch apart to prevent escape. Height is just as important as any other factor, since these marsupials need room to climb and glide.

    • 2

      Keep the environment at between 70 and 90 degrees F. Sugar gliders come from tropical locales, so make sure to keep the room the cage is in at a comfortable temperature for your glider.

    • 3

      Place climbable materials, a nest box and bedding in the cage. Fill the nest box with a couple of inches of absorbent bedding and place it securely in an upper corner of the cage. Pesticide-free branches, artificial branches and vines, and ladders are all excellent climbing materials for a sugar glider. Change the bedding every couple of days or when wet.

    • 4

      House male and female sugar gliders separately. Sugar gliders can become fertile at a very young age (as young as four months). If you do not wish to mate your female sugar glider, housing it with another female glider will allow it the social interaction it needs.

    Feeding

    • 5

      Ensure a constant supply of fresh, clean, nonchlorinated water. Change the water out daily.

    • 6

      Ensure fresh food is always available. Sugar gliders eat primarily fruit and vegetables including apples, grapes, broccoli, corn, leafy greens and carrots. You can also feed your sugar glider animal proteins in the form of mealworms. Remove food from the cage after 24 hours.

    • 7

      Wash food and water bowls daily to prevent bacterial growth and encourage optimum health.

    • 8

      Put vitamin supplement powder on the food you prepare for your glider, particularly if you feel it may be deficient in something or if your vet recommends it.

    Socializing and Training

    • 9

      Handle your sugar glider for at least two to four hours per day. This can involve playing with it, training it, walking it on a leash and harness or carrying it in a shirt pocket or pouch on your stomach while you go about your day.

    • 10

      Train your sugar glider to glide a little at a time, using food rewards to entice it into your hand. Start with placing it somewhere high and putting your hand (with a treat in it) right underneath it so it only has to step down into your palm. You can do this repeatedly, moving your hand further away each time until the glider is forced to trust its sail-like membranes and glide down to you.

    • 11

      Introduce your glider to new people or other female gliders slowly and at a young age. The younger you begin to socialize and bond with your sugar glider, the more it will bond with you and its cage-mate. Introduce your young joey (female marsupial) to yourself or other people during the day when it is tired and less active.