Q&A for How to Care for a Sugar Glider

It would be fine for an older or very mature child, just make sure to supervise them at first to make sure the glider's needs are being met. Also, I wouldn't let the child bring the glider outside on their own.

No, they generally only make noise if they are hungry or scared.

Sugar gliders can bark for many reasons. Typically, they bark when they are happy or want attention. They may also bark to alert other sugar gliders.

Yes. Put a cloth in your (roomy) pocket that smells like his cage. If it is used to that scent, then it will think it's a safe place and be content to fall asleep there.

This is usually out of fear. Slow down the bonding process and gain your pet's trust and comfort by offering treats and talking calmly and soothingly, avoiding sudden movements.

They require a lot of attention, but after bonding with them, they can do well with a little lesser attention and can be left alone for a while inside of their cage.

No, the temperature inside your home should be just fine, especially if you give your sugar glider a comfy and warm pouch to sleep in.

Yes, but neutering the male is highly recommended unless you plan on breeding your sugar gliders.

Join a sugar glider community, and see if another owner might be willing to set up a "play date" with your sugar glider. Be sure watch them carefully; they are generally very interactive and should get along great, but sometimes aggression and fights break out. Also, make sure that you play with both sugar gliders so the other person's glider isn't afraid of you.

Usually it takes 2 or 3 weeks, but some sugar gliders take months for them to bond with you. Remember, it's all about patience.

Some behaviors seen as biting are them bonding with you (think grooming!). However, aggressive biting should stop once they bond with you unless you frighten them.

It's not illegal, but it is better for them to be kept in pairs so that they can keep each other company.

No. Rodents of different species do not tend to get along well and will likely fight.

That happens more than you think, so don't beat yourself up over it. It's possible that you are not the glider type. You tend to know when you've found the right pet, because caring for them doesn't feel like a strain. Perhaps it's time to get on the glider network and find homes for your little guys where they can get the attention they need. Either that, or try make up for lost time.

Bonding pouches work well, also rubbing some fleece on your body to absorb your scent, then putting it in the glider's cage. Another great way is to do "tent" or bathroom time which is where you go into a small room or tent and allow your gliders to be free in a safe place.

If you have one, you need to give quite a lot (20 minutes of bonding in the morning and night). But if you have two of them, they can handle you being away during the day as long as you play with them for a minimum of 10 minutes a day.

Sugar gliders do fine on their own if given a lot of attention and care.

It shouldn't be that disturbing. They do let off a smell that is not the best, but if you clean their cage too much, then yes it will get worse.

Roughly 15-20 minutes in the morning and at night is a healthy amount of play time.

Yes, they can be left alone for this length of time.

Well, it not only depends on the amount of time you're out. It also depends on how close you are with your Sugar Glider. If you have only one Sugar Glider, they need a lot of attention, and it's probably not the best of ideas to leave it alone with no one around. But if you have more than one, like a group or pair of Sugar Gliders, they should be fine, because they have the attention of each other.

For some sugar gliders, it may only take two/three weeks, but keep in mind that some don't bond as easily and can take a few months to bond fully.

They may be cold. Check the temperature of your water and make sure it is ok. If it continues, take them to the vet to rule out sickness.

Yes, they just have some specific needs that take a while to get used to, but they are a lot of fun!

From what I have learned so far it takes a bit of work but is working here so have faith it will happen. Dr David Brust DVM has some great videos on Sugar gliders, I found he covered anything you would want to know except breeding so please check then out.

Yes, sugar gliders are very social animals and love the company of other gliders.

Yes, gliders love company, especially females, because they are less territorial than males.

Yes. Since gliders are (primarily) nocturnal, they will be asleep during the day, while you're at work, and wake up for a feed at around 5pm.

Get a soft blanket or if too tight for a blanket, get his favorite treat and get him to smell it. Put a small item on the doors to hold them closed tight, like a hook or maybe find a baby lock that would work.

No, they are not safe for a child to be left alone with.