How to Raise an Abandoned Sugar Glider Joey

When you think of an abandoned animal, dogs or cats usually come to mind immediately. Exotic animal abandonment happens more often than you would believe, though. Sugar glider joeys (young sugar gliders), for instance, are adorable small exotic marsupials--native to woodlands of Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and Indonesia--that a few families abandon once they grow older. While the sugar gliders rarely get larger than the palm of your hand, caring for such an abnormal pet can wear down an animal owner's resolve (though sugar gliders are incredibly complacent animals). You can adopt an abandoned sugar glider joey.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 boiled egg
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 ounce plain yogurt
  • 2 ounces mixed fruit
  • 1 teaspoon Vionate vitamins
  • 2 teaspoons calcium supplement
  • 4 ounces chicken infant food
  • 2 1/2 ounces sweet potato infant food
  • 1/2 cup rice crisp cereal
  • 2 tablespoons possum milk substitute
  • Wood
  • Cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visit the vet to check the health of your sugar glider joey. An abandoned sugar glider joey can suffer from malnutrition, trauma, parasites, blindness and diarrhea. Since sugar gliders are such small, fragile creatures, they are especially susceptible to several diseases.

    • 2

      Blend 1/2 cup honey, 1 boiled egg, 1/4 quarter cup applesauce, 1 ounce plain yogurt, 2 ounces fresh fruit, 1 teaspoon Vionate vitamins, 4 ounces chicken infant food, 1/2 cup rice crisp cereal and 2 tablespoons of possum milk substitute together in a blender. This creates a hand-feed sugar glider formula. Store any uneaten formula in your refrigerator for later use.

    • 3

      Play with your sugar glider throughout the day. Sugar glider joeys are very social animals and love to explore and play. Consider purchasing another sugar glider to keep your abandoned joey happy when you are busy.

    • 4

      Build a small wooden box to house your sugar glider during the day. Sugar gliders are naturally nocturnal animals, so they will be most active at night. Provide your abandoned sugar glider with a large cage (at least 2 feet wide on both sides) and plenty of branches and hanging toys to play in while it is awake.