Sugar gliders are marsupials that are originally from Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and surrounding areas, although they have now been bred in captivity in the United States for about 25 years. In the wild, they live in tree tops and are omnivores, eating insects, fruits, nectars, plants and occasionally eggs and small reptiles, birds and mammals.
Being marsupials means that they have a pouch, similar to a kangaroo, that they keep their babies (joeys) in. Sugar gliders give birth to one or two (rarely three) joeys at a time. They have a very short gestation period of 15-17 days. The undeveloped baby or babies is then ‘born’ and makes its way up to its mother’s pouch where it spends the next 70-72 days. When the joeys come out of pouch (OOP) this is considered their birthdate.
Sugar gliders are colony animals and live in small groups their whole lives. Because they are so extremely social, they require the companionship of at least one other sugar glider. Humans cannot fulfill this need for companionship, no matter how much time we may spend with them. In captivity they can live in same sex female pairs, same sex neutered male pairs, or a combination of both. Females and neutered males will get along with each other equally well.
If you are not planning to breed them, you should not have intact males as they will breed with any female in their colony, including daughters and sisters which can cause serious inbreeding health problems. In breeding colonies, the male may have several females that he impregnates. The father plays a vital role in raising the joeys and will help the mother carry and take care of the babies when they come out of pouch.
Sugar gliders are also nocturnal. During the day, they usually sleep together in a pouch or other hollow space and at night they eat and are very active playing, running on their wheel and gliding. Sugar gliders have flaps of skin called a patagium between their front and back legs. They can glide long distances if necessary. They are similar to a flying squirrel, although not rodents.
Sugar gliders live between 10-15 years in captivity, which is as long as a dog. They have few health problems if given a balanced diet, a companion and large, clean, stimulating living space. Sugar gliders can be very unique and fun pets. They may even be the pet you didn’t know you needed.
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We will discuss the process in more detail and get you started on the road to owning your first Sugar Gliders.