Sugar Glider

Height matters far more than floor space, so provide a tall cage, at least around 60 cm wide by 60 cm deep by 90 cm high and taller if possible, with narrow bar spacing they cannot squeeze through. Fill the vertical space with branches, ropes, ladders, a solid safe wheel and one or more cosy fabric nest pouches high up, since gliders sleep the day away curled together. Use paper based bedding, keep it clean because they scent mark, and site the cage in a warm, quiet room out of direct sun and draughts.

Diet is the hardest part of glider care and the most common cause of illness, so follow one proven complete plan rather than improvising: a wombaroo style nectar or High Protein Wombaroo (HPW) mix, a Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's (BML) diet, or an equivalent, paired with gut loaded insects such as crickets and mealworms, plus a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. A correct calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 2 to 1 is critical, so insects must be gut loaded or dusted with a calcium supplement. Never feed a diet of just fruit, seed mixes or hamster food, all of which cause serious calcium deficiency. Fresh water must always be available.

Sugar gliders are strictly nocturnal and need dark, undisturbed days to sleep and lively interaction at night. Keep them warm and stable at about 24 to 27 degrees Celsius, as temperatures below roughly 18 degrees Celsius can push them into a dangerous torpor while excessive heat and humidity are also harmful. Provide gentle warmth, good ventilation and a consistent light and dark cycle, and never expose the cage to direct sun.

This is the single most important welfare point: sugar gliders are colony animals and must never be kept alone, always living in at least a bonded pair or small group, with males best neutered to prevent fighting and unwanted litters. A lonely glider commonly develops stress, depression and self mutilation. They bond strongly to their own kind and to a patient owner through shared scent, so carry pouches and slow gentle handling help build trust, but company of their own species cannot be replaced by human attention alone.

Gliders need height, movement and foraging to stay well, so offer branches to climb, ropes and a safe solid wheel, plus regular supervised glide and play time in a fully glider proofed room. Rotate foraging toys, puzzle feeders and safe natural browse, and hide insects and food around the cage to mimic natural hunting. Nest pouches and hammocks give the security they crave.