Can Sugar Gliders Be Found On Another Continent
Yes, you can find sugar gliders in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, where they live within rainforests at elevations below 1000 meters above sea level. They also like to stay close to bodies of fresh water like rivers and streams.
Although they spend much of their time in trees, they build nests from whats readily available- including leaves and sticks. Sugar gliders also live communally, but only a few will mate or give birth at a time because of the size of their pouch.
What Food Should Sugar Gliders Eat
Sugar gliders prefer fruit and vegetables that have a sweet taste, so small, carefully controlled portions of fresh, un-canned fruit and veg will make up a balanced diet for them. These include:
- Apples
- Pineapples
- Grapefruit
In addition to sweet fruits and veg, your sugar glider should also have enough protein foods in their diet to make up around a third of their daily intake.
Most of their daily protein needs can be met with a portion of high quality nutrition-rich pellets .
You shouldnt feed them a sole diet of pellets for their protein intake though, so keep things varied for your sugar glider by offering them foods such as:
- Small pieces of cooked lean meat/poultry
- Plain yogurt
- Tofu
- Hard-boiled eggs
The most important takeaway here is that sugar gliders can have sugar, but its important that you stick to foods with naturally occurring sugars like honey and the above-mentioned fruits and sweet vegetables. Raw sugar, candy or sugar substitutes of any kind should be avoided completely .
You also need to take care to limit their sugar intake with careful portion control of their fruit and veg.
A 1/8 of an apple , for example, will be an appropriate daily portion for a sugar glider, or the equivalent weight to this if you are feeding them a portion of carrot or peas .
How Do You Find Sugar Gliders For Sale
There are many places to buy gliders. You can find them at small pet stores or buy them from individual breeders. Unfortunately, some breeders only breed gliders for the money. Before purchasing a sugar glider from a breeder, research the following:
- Thequality of the facilities
- Theage that they separate the joeys
- Thelineage of the gliders
- Thehealth of the glider
If possible, learn more about the facilities. It helps tophysically travel to the location and see how the breeder houses thegliders. Dirty, unsanitary conditions may indicate that you aredealing with a breeding mill.
You should also question the breeder to determine his or her knowledge about the animals, including at what age they separate the joeys. Sugar gliders should not leave their mothers before eight weeks, with some breeders not selling joeys until they reach 12 weeks. If the breeder agrees to sell the glider earlier, he or she may not care about the health of the creature.
Always Check the Sugar Glider Lineage
One of the most important details to research is the lineage of the gliders. Inbreeding leads to deformities and health issues. Its also a common problem at breeding mills. Respectable breeders maintain detailed records of the lineage, providing proof that the gliders come from separate lines.
The final step is to inspect the health of the glider. Look at thecoat. The glider should have soft, fluffy fur. It should also bealert and curious instead of shying away from your hand.
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What Is A Sugar Glider
Sometimes called Suggie, SG, Glider, and SugarG, the sugar glider can bond well with humans and other gliders, but don’t behave well as pets. Here is some basic info about this animal:
- Sugar gliders are small marsupial animals native to Australia, Indonesia, and the surrounding areas.
- They are nocturnalthey sleep during the day and become very active at night.
- These animals are very sociable and cannot be kept alone.
- They physically resemble a flying squirrel-type creature.
- Sugar gliders live for 1215 years on average.
- While they may look cute and cuddly, they typically aren’t.
- They do not belong to the rodent family.
- They require specialist care, a lot of space, and do not make good pets for beginners or children.
Learn more specifics about sugar gliders.
You Won’t Be Going On Holiday
Unlike a dog or even a rabbit, you can’t leave sugar gliders with a neighbor or enlist a friend to care for them when you go away. Sometimes there are specialized professionals who will offer help while you are gone, but they are rare. It is also never a good idea to leave animals like this with someone that doesn’t know them well enough.
Reasons Why They Can’t Be Watched by Someone Else:
- They cannot be watched by people with no experience.
- They require a lot of attention.
- Health problems can be hard to spot to the untrained eye.
- People don’t feed them the correct amounts of food.
- Most people don’t want to take the time to prepare specialized meals for someone else’s pets while they are off having fun in the sun.
Sugar gliders can get really messy really fast, so be careful when handling them.
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Vets Find It Hard To Treat Them
Hamsters are classed as exotic due to their metabolism, small size, and difficulty of treatment, but suggies are even harder to take care of. It takes a very specially trained vet to deal with SGs.
It can be very difficult to diagnose and treat them correctly without causing them serious distress, harm, or even killing them. You couldn’t easily take a Suggie to a regular vet that treats dogs, cats, or even guinea pigs, as these vets are often not trained or have been trained very little in these animals. Treatment is also very expensive. Animals don’t respond in the same way to surgery, antibiotics, fluid draining, or skin ointment the same way we do, and it is extremely easy to overdose them, poison them, or cause a bad reaction.
Alternatives To Sugar Gliders
Here are some alternative pets you can own that will be easier to deal with than a sugar glider. Some of these pets are on the more exotic side of things, but they require far less specialized care. Again, remember that each country has different laws regarding owning exotic animals. The U.S., in particular, has varying laws from state to state, so you will need to do some research to see if owning an exotic is legal.
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Are Sugar Gliders Illegal
Sugar gliders are illegal to own or breed in California, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York City. In Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, you need to obtain a special permit. Additionally, some cities or counties may have their own legislation prohibiting these animals. Always check local laws before buying gliders.
The First Veterinary Visit
Your sugar glider should be examined by a sugar glider savvy-veterinarian within 48 hours of purchase . During this appointment, your veterinarian will discuss proper care, housing, and the unique dietary requirements of your sugar glider. A fecal sample will be examined for internal parasites. Much like dogs, cats, and other pets, sugar gliders require annual veterinary visits to ensure the maintenance of excellent health.
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Will I Need A Permit When Selling My Sugar Glider
Some states in the US require permits when selling an exotic animal such as your sugar glider. Animals sold for commercial reasons will most likely require a license, whereas those being sold privately may not. You can visit your local state wildlife department website to find out whether you need a license or not.
We Want To Spread The Word
If you have contact info for a shelter in one of these places that does not have pets posted with us, please e-mail us and we’ll contact them.
California Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Irvine, San Bernardino, Riverside, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Ontario, Walnut Creek, Santa Cruz, Northern, Southern, Central, Concord, Hanford, Los Angeles County, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Riverside County, Mission Viejo, Yolo, San Bernardino County, San Francisco, San Jose, San Rafael, Novato Santa Clara County, San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, San Gabriel Valley
Texas Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Waco, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Amarillo, Western Texas, Eastern Texas, San Marcos, Dallas County, Harris County, Galveston, Brazoria, McAllen, San Antonio
New York New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Niagara Falls, Kings County, Queens County, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island
Florida Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Broward County, Miami Dade County, Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton
Illinois Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, DeKalb, Bloomington, Cook County
Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Allentown, Erie, Bethlehem
Ontario Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, Kingston
Quebec Montreal, Quebec City
Halifax
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Purchasing Your Sugar Glider
Look for a reputable breeder or rescue organization to acquire a glider. A breeder should have a U.S. Department of Agriculture license. Avoid purchasing over the internet where you can’t interact with the animal before you commit. And try to speak with other people who also have gotten an animal from that seller. A breeder should also be able to give you the lineage of your new pet, as well as its history, so you can be sure it’s been ethically bred and healthy.
The seller should be able to provide thorough information on the animal’s origin, health history, and temperament. Ask to visit with the animal before you take it home and look for any red flags, such as lethargy, trouble moving around, or abnormal feces. Expect to pay between $100 and $500 on average young gliders are more expensive.
Can Sugar Gliders Eat Super
Edible super-worms are a great source of protein for your pet. However, these worms tend to bite so you need to cook them before feeding or buy the pre-cooked packaged worms ones available in pet shops.
Meal worms also are an excellent source of protein but they tend to be fattening, so moderation is key.
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Bringing Home A New Sugar Glider: One
Sugar Gliders have varying initial purchase costs that largely depend on their age. Infants typically cost more expect the Sugar Glider price to be between $200-$500 whereas adults usually go for around $100-$200. Its important to note that Sugar Gliders are highly social animals, so we highly recommended keeping them in pairs to make sure they are happy. This will also help mitigate most unwanted behavior, as they require a great deal of attention and will act out when bored or lonely.
Its also important to note that owing a Sugar Glider is illegal in some states, including California and Alaska, and others require a permit, which can also add to the initial costs. Be sure to check the laws and regulations in your area to see if you need a permit before buying.
Pros & Cons Of Keeping A Sugar Glider As A Pet
Sugar gliders are adorable, but are they the right pet for you? On the pro side, they’re fun and active and live longer than other “pocket” type pets. They’re also clean and rarely bite. For cons, though, you need more than one sugar glider for it to meet its social needs they’re nocturnal, so not as much fun during the day and they really don’t interact well with other pets you may have.
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Where To Buy A Sugar Glider
Sugar gliders are becoming popular as pets due to their adorable looks and social character. In order to appropriately care for this exotic pet, where to buy should be pondered on, else you can end up spending too much on an animal that is poor of health, not capable of interacting with humans, and did not pass the standards set forth by authorities concerned. There are a number of options about where to buy a glider, and below are the most common.
1. From sugar glider breeders . Breeders are considered the best source of well cared for pets. This is because breeders personally look after the well-being of the sugar breeders in their custody, treat them as pets and not just some sell-able goods that should be produced in numbers for greater profit. Breeders are typically aware of the local laws relating pet ownership, and of the proper maintenance and protection of these animals. They also have written guidelines for you to take home, and a phone number to call in case you have further questions or encounter problems with your purchased pet. Breeders who advertise online usually post photos of sugar gliders offered, and readily responds to questions relating to the care requirements.
Smaller Islands Near Indonesia And Papua New Guinea
Places such as Bismarck Archipelago, Louisiade Archipelago, and Halmahera Islands of the North Moluccas have documented sugar glider colonies, but theyre smaller than those found in Australia. Again, your best bet for seeing sugar gliders on these surrounding islands is via wildlife tour with a local expert who knows where to look to spot the possums. Or, better yet, follow your guides advice to see, and respect, these adorable creatures in their unforgettable habitats.
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Threats To The Sugar Glider
Habitat destruction and fragmentation are of particular concern to the species as this results in the decline of the number of available hollows. The Sugar Glider species was hard hit by the 2019/2020 bushfires, resulting in large-scale degradation of habitat.
Other threats include feral predators, such as cats and foxes, as well as the use of barbed-wire fences that can trap the animals gliding membrane.
Description
The Sugar Gliders fur is thick, soft, and is usually an ash-grey to brown-grey above, with a dark stripe that extends from the middle of the head to the mid-back region. The belly, throat and chest are cream in colour, and the bushy tail, which can average about 19cm, is darker and in some cases may have a white tip.
Sugar Gliders grow to be about 24 30cm in length, weighing up to 115 grams, and have a lifespan of up to 9 years.
When their legs are stretched out their patagium extends enabling them to glide up to 50 metres. When gliding they use their tail as a rudder to change direction and to stabilise their landing.
Ecology
The Sugar Glider active at night, sleeping by day in nests made of leaves in tree hollows. They are very social animals and live in family groups, with multiple adults accompanied by the young from that season. Both males and females engage in parental care. This arrangement allows one adult to keep the young warm in the hollow while the other parent is out foraging for food.
Range and Abundance
From The Aussie Outback To Londons Natural History Museum
An investigation into sugar glider genetics a decade ago highlighted two divergent groups within the species, suggesting sugar gliders may represent more than one species.
In that study, scientists also unexpectedly found that one glider from Melville Island in the Northern Territory was genetically distinct from sugar gliders. Instead, this Melville Island glider showed a close relationship with two larger existing species, the squirrel glider and mahogany glider .
Prompted by this unusual finding, we investigated the mysterious gliders identity.
From some of the most remote areas of outback Australia to our vast national museum collections, and ultimately the hallowed halls of Londons Natural History Museum, we captured, measured and compared every glider we could find to evaluate their relationships.
Indigenous knowledge of the savanna glider Petaurus ariel and the contributions of local Aboriginal people were also invaluable to our investigation.
The savanna glider is culturally significant and valued across multiple language groups in northern Australia and we are grateful to the Traditional Owners for sharing their knowledge of the species and its habitat.
In the end, we assessed more than 300 live and preserved specimens and established three species where once there was one.
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What Vegetables Are Good For Sugar Gliders
The following vegetables are great to include in your sugar gliders diet. Just note that the veg should always be washed thoroughly before being placed in their cage to prevent sugar gliders from being exposed to any pesticides or other toxic chemicals. For this reason, it can sometimes be best to buy organic veg for your sugar glider.
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Sweet potato
Well discuss foods that are not recommended for sugar gliders later on, but for now, its important to note that while carrots, spinach, and lettuce are perfectly fine, safe foods for your sugar glider, it is suggested that you should be a little sparing with these particular veggies as they have very low nutritional value for sugar gliders, so feeding them these in excess will mean they are lacking in their key nutrients.
Sugar Glider Habitat Where Do Sugar Gliders Live
Sugar gliders live in Eucalyptus and Acacia trees in northern, eastern and southern parts of Australia. Small pockets of these animals are also found in parts of Western Australia. They are also live in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Sugar gliders live in the tree tops and rarely come down to the ground. They make their nest out of leaves in a tree hollow. Between six to twelve gliders may share this nest. The availability of tree hollows for nesting is vital in determining the population of sugar gliders in a particular area.
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