The Ins and Outs The Ins and Outs About Sugar GlidersAbout Sugar Gliders

By: Kristi RudolphBy: Kristi Rudolph

What is a Sugar Glider? What is a Sugar Glider?

Sugar gliders are Sugar gliders are marsupials that marsupials that

originally come from originally come from Australia or Australia or

Indonesia. They are Indonesia. They are tree dwelling, tree dwelling,

nocturnal creaturesnocturnal creatures. .

Adult gliders are 10-14 Adult gliders are 10-14 inches on average, with inches on average, with 6-8 inches of that being 6-8 inches of that being in their tail. in their tail.

Gliders can live up to 10 Gliders can live up to 10 to 15 years if they are to 15 years if they are well cared for.well cared for.

Taxonomic Classification Taxonomic Classification ChartChart

Class: Mammalia

Subclass: Marsupialia

Order: Diprotodontia

Suborder: Phalangerida

Superfamily: Petauroidea

Family: Petauridae

Daily DietDaily Diet

Sugar gliders are Sugar gliders are omnivoresomnivores. They eat . They eat a wide variety of foods a wide variety of foods

such as fruits, such as fruits, vegetables, breads vegetables, breads

and cereal.and cereal.

In the wild, insects are In the wild, insects are a regular part of a a regular part of a sugar gliders diet. sugar gliders diet. They really enjoy live They really enjoy live insects like crickets insects like crickets and mealworms.and mealworms.

Housing Sugar GlidersHousing Sugar Gliders

When it comes to sugar When it comes to sugar gliders, gliders, biggerbigger is is

better! It is best to give better! It is best to give them the tallest cage them the tallest cage

possible, at lest 3 feet.possible, at lest 3 feet.

Stuff to put inside your cage:Stuff to put inside your cage:1.1. Nest box or pouchNest box or pouch2.2. Non-toxic branches/perchesNon-toxic branches/perches3.3. Food and water dishFood and water dish4.4. Toys (ladders, mirrors, rings, Toys (ladders, mirrors, rings,

etc.)etc.)5.5. BeddingBedding6.6. Plastic or metal trayPlastic or metal tray

Acceptable pets or not?Acceptable pets or not?

ProsPros1.1. Sugar gliders are Sugar gliders are

very affectionate and very affectionate and are very loyal pets.are very loyal pets.

2.2. Very nice and enjoy Very nice and enjoy playing.playing.

3.3. Can be tamed.Can be tamed.

ConsCons1.1. Need at least four Need at least four

hours of attention a hours of attention a day.day.

2.2. Must be fed fresh Must be fed fresh food DAILYfood DAILY

3.3. Will be up at night Will be up at night (when you are not) (when you are not) due to the fact that due to the fact that they are nocturnal.they are nocturnal.

Last thought….Last thought….

Choose for yourself- Choose for yourself- would you choose would you choose

to have one of to have one of these animals as these animals as

your pet?your pet?

QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Want to know more?Want to know more?

http://www.http://www.skinhorseskinhorse.net/gliders/.net/gliders/

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/facehugger/sg.http://www.angelfire.com/tx/facehugger/sg.htmlhtml

http://www.glideruniversity.org/main/http://www.glideruniversity.org/main/