Sugar Gliders

 

Text Box: What is a Sugar Glider? Sugar Gliders are members of the possum family.  They are a small marsupial with a membrane flap of skin, called the patagium, that stretches from their forefeet to their hind feet.  When outstretched, this flap allows the animal to glide through the air from one object to another.  Adult gliders weigh between 3.5 and 5.5 ounces, the males being slightly larger than females.  They are 5 to 6 inches from the tip of nose to base of tail and have a tail of nearly equal length. The physical differences between the sexes are, females have a pouch opening on their abdomen and no visible scent glands.  Males have 2 visible scent glands, one is a bald spot on their head, the other is on their chest.  The male also has furred scrotum on the abdomen. Sugar gliders are gray with a cream color underside.  They have a black stripe that runs the length of the spine and the last in or so of the tail.  These are the "normal" color gliders.  There are other colors such as the white face blonde, that are a beautiful cream to light brown color body with a cream underside and lacking the black bar under the ear.  There are also leucistics, also known as black eyed white, which are white with black eyes, Albinos, white with red eyes, Ringtails, Mosaics, and the newest is the Creme-ino. Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, they sleep during the day and come out in the evening to eat and play.  You can get your glider out during the day and he may play with you for a little while, but then will want to curl up and sleep. Gliders are very social animals, it is a good idea to get 2 so they have a friend.  If a glider is kept alone they must spend a couple of hours a day with their human families.  Housing: Cages should be at least 20" x 20" x 30", taller is better than longer as they love to climb.  Wire bird cages work very well for gliders.  A cage must be outfitted with a sleeping pouch or nest box.  Our gliders and we prefer the pouches, they are snuggly for the gliders and easy for us to clean, just toss them in the washing machine.  You will need food cups, either the plastic bird cups that fit in the cage or small ceramic cups work fine, we use both.  You also need to have a water dish or bottle, we use the plastic bird fountain tubes.  I like these because the animals seem to drink more, they are not as open as a water bowl, and are easier for me to clean than regular water bottles.  What do gliders eat? A variety of fresh fruits and veggies along with a protein source.  You can use frozen fruits and veggies also but it is best to stay away from canned.  Gliders diet should consist of about 50% protein and 50% fruits, veggies & nectar.  Diets like BML are a good source of protein.  Other protein rich foods are eggs, cooked meat, and insects like meal worms, crickets, june bugs, moths, grasshoppers, and wax worms.  Keeping a dry staple food like Insectivore Diet, Monkey Biscuits, New World Primate, Premium Sugar Glider Diet, Brisky's Pellets, or Happy Glider is also a good idea. Can they be trained to use a litter box? No, and most likely they will go potty on you.  The good thing is that their stool and urine is usually just a small amount.   Check your laws Sugar Gliders are Exotic animals, so before purchasing one, you will need to check your local, State, City, and County laws to know if it is legal for you to own one.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this time we are breeding normal grays, lions, white face blondes, leucistic and leu hets, albino hets, and white variations.  Our babies are handled daily once they are out of pouch.  Babies are ready for new homes at about 8 to 10 weeks out of pouch.  Shipping is available through airlines.

 

Be sure to check out the Exotic Animal Diets we are now offering

 

Click here for Sugar Glider Accessories

 

To learn more about gliders visit Glider Central

 

                        

E-mail  Bakers@kanzakitty.com

or  Kanzakitty@allegiance.tv

phone: 913-367-4116

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