Sugar Gliders as Pets

 It's so true. Sugar Gliders are probably the most popular exotic pet to invade North America in the last year.  Searches on the internet are spiking and people want to know more information about sugar gliders and if they make a good pet.

In my view, Sugar Gliders are an awesome pet. They are very gentle, small and cudly - perfect for families with small children.  Additionally, they can survive on very little and will not cost a lot to maintain and keep healthy.

A little background on Sugar Gliders. They are native to the Southern Pacific continents, such as Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. As mentioned, they are starting to become an A-list pet in North America.  Breeders are growing their flocks of joeys and veterinarians are reporting increases in seeing Sugar Gliders as patients.

What do they eat?
Sugar Gliders many eat small insects like grasshoppers, beetles and lizards. They enjoy some meat such as turkey, fish and chickent. Most importantly, they love anything sweet like berries, fruits and vegetables. Of concern is Sugar Gliders' lack of calcium and being prone to calcium deficiency. To counteract this many feed them yogurt and calcium rich vegatables like brocolli.

You can keep Sugar Gliders in a cage, most humane way is a huge bird cage with lots of room to move around and play.  Always have a water bottle accessible and topped with fresh tap water.  They are nocturnal animals so they are up late at night and very energetic - however, during the day they are extremely lazy and docile.  Feed them some eucalyptus pieces and they'll love you forever.

Sugar Gliders make the best pets because they are so cuddly and cute. Extremely small in stature, they fit in the palm of a hand and bury their head into your skin playfully. Definitely worth a look as a pet option, check your local vet, pet store or wildlife refuge to find a free sugar glider perfect for your family.

Check out SugarGliderPet.org to find out more general information on this species.