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What you should know about Sugar Gliders
A sugar glider can be easily handled once it learns to trust you.
When it has gained confidence through gentle daily contact, your
sugar glider will enjoy being cuddled and petted, and you can even
carry it around in your shirt pocket. Children should always be
supervised when holding a sugar glider, they are fragile and care
must be taken to prevent falls or rough handling
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Housing
A cage for one Sugar Glider should be at least 20 in x 20 in x 36 in
high. Choose a cage with metal mesh no larger than 1 in x 1/2 in, a
solid floor and a securely latching door. Fix a nesting box up high
in the cage so your sugar glider can sleep in the daytime, away from
sunlight. Place the cage in a draft free area of between 70-90 deg.
F. Cover the floor of the cage with bedding such as dry moss, leaves
from a live branch, or Aspen shavings, rather than pine or cedar
shavings which contain haarmful oils. Your pet will enjoy live
branches to climb on and chew, but avoid Almond, Apricot, Black
Walnut, Cherry, and Peach as they are toxic.
Diet
A healthy diet is based on 75% fresh fruits and vegetables and 25%
protein. Good choices include: apples, apricots, bananas, berries,
carrots, corn, grapes, melons, peaches, plums and pears. Eggs
(boiled or scrambled), mealworms, crickets, low fat turkey and
boiled and skinned chicken are good sources of protein. Fresh water
should always be available in a sipper bottle.
Cleaning
Remove soiled areas daily and change the bedding weekly. Wash food
dishes, water bottles and the cage bottom weekly. Always rinse and
dry the cage well before returning your pets.
Fertility
Females reach sexual maturity before one year of age and males early
in their second year. It is possible to have male Sugar Gliders
neutered by an experienced exotics veterinarian, to avoid unwanted
babies.
Health
Find a veterinarian with experience in treating Sugar Gliders and be
alert for signs of illness or injury such as: lack of appetite;
changes in droppings; noisy breathing, sneezing or wheezing;
discharge from eyes or nose; diarrhea; lethargy; excessive
scratching; bald patches or unkempt fur or difficulty using hind
legs.
Warnings
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can be fatal to Sugar Gliders.
Additional Reading
Sugar Gliders, by Caroline MacPherson. Barron's.
International Sugar Glider Association
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