Sugar gliders are popular exotic pets, as they're small, cute, and unique little marsupials that are native to Australia and parts of Indonesia. Their bodies are similar to squirrels, with gray fur and black markings. They also have a gliding membrane—a thin, skin-like structure that extends from the front to back limbs on each side, almost like wings—that helps them travel among trees.

Sugar gliders make for playful, curious, and social pets that bond with their owners. But they do require frequent handling to keep them tame, along with ample space for exercise. Plus, they have a very particular diet. These animals are not for beginner pet owners, and you should put considerable effort into educating yourself about the species before acquiring a sugar glider, especially since they can live up to 15 years, on average. Then, expect to spend multiple hours per day tending to them.

Learn more about sugar gliders, including their temperament and various care needs.  

Can You Own a Pet Sugar Glider?

Before getting a sugar glider, there are legal and ethical concerns to consider.

Legality 

Sugar gliders are illegal in several states, including Alaska, Hawaii, and California. But even if your state allows them, make sure they are legal at the local level. And in some locations, they require permits to keep. This may be due to efforts to prevent depletion of wild populations.

The best way to determine whether it's legal for you to own a sugar glider is to go to the UDSA's APHIS website and look up the laws in your locality.

Ethics

Sugar gliders are highly social animals that need lots of activities, a large living space, and plenty of socializing. For these reasons, many experts believe that sugar gliders are not smart pets to have because the animals will suffer and possibly experience depression if their needs are not met.

Things to Consider

Before you purchase or adopt a sugar glider, ask yourself these questions:

• Can you provide the right environment?
• Do you have the space to provide a large enough enclosure?
• Do you have the finances and time available to commit to adopting two sugar gliders so yours is never alone?
• Are you near enough to a veterinarian with expertise in these exotic marsupials so you can find yours the right medical care?
  

Sugar Glider Behavior and Temperament

Many people find pet sugar gliders to be endearing and entertaining. They are quick, love to climb, and will glide from place to place if their space allows it. Plus, as nocturnal animals (meaning they're most active at night), they like to cuddle up in a cozy nest during the day to sleep.

In the wild, sugar gliders live in groups of about seven adults and their babies. Because they are social animals, it's usually ideal to have more than one sugar glider (one male and at least one female). However, they need to be kept away from pets of other species in the household, like cats and dogs, as they might injure one another.

Regular human interaction is very important if you want your glider to bond with you. Allowing a sugar glider to ride in your shirt pocket or in a pouch that hangs around your neck is an easy way to interact with them throughout the day.

If your glider isn't used to being handled, it can take some time for them to become cuddly with you. Sugar gliders generally are not aggressive pets, but they will bite if they feel threatened or frightened. It's key to be very patient and gentle when handling them.

Furthermore, sugar gliders are rather vocal pets and have various noises to tell you when they're upset, frightened, hungry, and more. They typically will give an audible warning when they are angry before attempting to bite. You might hear this sound if you wake a sleeping glider.

Housing

An enclosure that's 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair of sugar gliders. Bigger is always better, and the height is more valuable than the floor space due to the climbing and gliding activities of these little marsupials. These animals should be able to glide in their enclosure, so you can also consider an aviary.

The cage wire spacing should be no more than a 1/2 inch wide, and the bars should be horizontal to facilitate climbing. The interior of the cage should contain lots of toys and a closed exercise wheel so the glider's tail doesn't get caught. Branches, ropes, and ladders will also provide opportunities for climbing, play, and exercise. Place a nest box near the top of the enclosure as a spot where your glider can go to feel safe and sleep.

The latch on the cage door should be very secure, as gliders are clever and have been known to learn how to open simple latches.

Keep the cage away from direct sunlight and drafts. Maintain a room temperature between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, as they prefer higher temperatures.

Specific Substrate Needs

Most illnesses that affect sugar gliders are due to unsanitary living conditions. Keep your sugar glider’s home in good condition with these tips:

• Line the bottom of the sugar glider's cage with newspaper or other recycled paper product that is non-toxic if ingested.
• Avoid cedar shavings, which have a strong scent that can cause respiratory irritation in small animals.
• Replace the paper and clean surfaces and toys in the cage with soap and water at least once a week.

What Do Sugar Gliders Eat & Drink?

Sugar gliders have fairly strict dietary requirements. In the wild, a sugar glider's diet includes nectar and sap from trees. But sugar gliders are omnivorous, meaning they eat plants and animals. In addition to the nectar and sap, they also consume fruit, insects, and even small birds or rodents.

Some of the fruits, vegetables, and insects you can feed your sugar glider include:

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Mangos
• Bell peppers
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Mealworms
• Waxworms
• Crickets

For pet sugar gliders, variations of the homemade Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater (BML) diet are very popular. Honey, calcium powder, and baby cereal are often used in these recipes to provide proper nutrition to your glider. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be offered in moderation, at less than 10% of the total diet, because many lack essential vitamins, minerals, and protein and contain mostly water.

Many owners put out meals in small food bowls in the morning and at night. But some sugar gliders tend to graze rather than eat a full meal at once. So don't be concerned if you see some food left over, but do discard leftovers prior to the next meal to prevent them from spoiling.

Consult your veterinarian on the best quantity to feed your glider, as this can vary based on age, size, and activity level. And always keep a water dish or bottle in the cage, which should be refreshed at least daily.

Common Health Problems

Sugar gliders can develop a variety of health issues, such as:

• Self-mutilation: Sugar gliders are very susceptible to stress if awakened and taken out of their cage in daytime hours. They have even been known to self-mutilate (bite and scratch themselves) under stressful conditions. Housing sugar gliders that don't get along or providing too small of an enclosure are two major stressors for these small, sensitive creatures. If you notice any signs of self-mutilation, such as missing patches of fur, consult your vet immediately. They can help to determine the issue and suggest lifestyle modifications.
• Bacterial and parasitic infections: Sugar gliders are prone to some bacterial and parasitic infections. For instance, giardia, which is a protozoan parasite, can cause dehydration, lethargy, and weight loss. Most bacterial and parasitic infections occur due to under-washed fruits and vegetables, so thoroughly clean any foods you feed to your sugar glider.
• Malnutrition: Many issues arise in sugar gliders due to malnutrition. A malnourished glider might be thin, lethargic, and have pale gums. Low calcium and blood sugar are commonly the culprits. This often results in anemia and can turn into more serious health issues, such as kidney, liver, and metabolic bone disease (which can cause bone fractures).
• Dental disease: This is quite common in sugar gliders because of their sugary diet. If your glider is having tooth problems, you might notice them eating less or there might be a bad smell coming from their mouth. A teeth cleaning with your veterinarian will likely be in order, and your vet can advise you on oral hygiene tips.
  

Exercise 

Sugar gliders are very active animals, which is one of the reasons they need such a large enclosure. They need branches and ropes and anything else safe for them to climb, including exercise wheels and balls.

Bathing/Grooming

Sugar gliders are excellent groomers, and you will not need to bathe yours. They literally bathe themselves by spitting into their hands.

Shedding

Sugar gliders shed minimally, if at all. Their fur is nothing you need to worry about unless it starts to look unkempt, at which point a visit to the vet would be in order.

Size Information

Fully grown sugar gliders are 5 to 8 inches long, not including their tails, and they weigh between 2 and 5 ounces.

Training Your Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders generally can't be potty trained, but they are otherwise fairly clean pets. Once you have their enclosure set up, it's pretty easy to maintain. Their greatest care needs are maintaining a balanced diet and socialization.

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.

When it comes to cons, though, you need more than one sugar glider for to meet their social needs. Also, they're nocturnal, so they aren't as much fun during the day. And they really don't interact well with other pets, such as cats and dogs, you may have.

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 their history, so you can be sure they've been ethically bred and are 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 them 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.

Similar Pets to the Sugar Glider

If you’re interested in similar pets, check out:

• Southern flying squirrel
• African dormouse
• Rabbit

Otherwise, check out other exotic animals that can be your new pet.