Essential Care

Crafting the Ideal Habitat

Sugar gliders thrive in environments mimicking their natural arboreal homes. Understand the critical elements for a safe, stimulating, and comfortable space for your gliders.

Space and Safety

Proper cage dimensions, wire spacing, and safe toys are paramount. These suggestions ensure your glider can climb, leap, and explore securely. These are just the basics---there are many glider resources out there to explore!!!

Cage Sizing

Wire Spacing

Branches

Ensure ample vertical space for climbing and gliding. Larger enclosures promote activity and well-being for your gliders.

Gliders will appreciate a big cage that you can add a wheel, toys and even a "glider kitchen." Even though you may spend quite some time interacting with your gliders, they are nocturnal and will spend most of their time in their home cage!

Maintain narrow bar spacing to prevent escapes and injuries. Smooth, coated wires at 1/4 inch spacing are recommended. Make sure all doors can be securely closed and remember that these inquisitive creatures may be able to figure oout how to open simple latches and doors.

Use natural, non-toxic branches for climbing and enrichment. Secure them firmly to support jumping and climbing.

Most fruit tree branches are safe, such as apple wood. The majority of branches that are safe for birds are also safe for gliders.

Glider safe pouches should be made out of fleece with hidden seams. Watch out for other materials or stitching as their claws could get caught and loose threads may wrap around toes or tails. Inspect pouches often for chewing and loose threads. Most gliders like to have their pouches hung high in the cage and it is alway a good idea to have several.

Pouches

Wheels

There are only a few recommended wheels that are safe for sugar gliders. They are a bit expensive, but a worthwhile investment to keep your glider safe.

Mesh running tracks work best as these playful creatures love to leap around both inside and outside, sometimes just stopping and flipping round and round while holding on to the mesh.

Toys

Gliders are extremely inquisitive, so they love toys in their cage. Remember they like to chew, so get chew safe materials, avoiding things that can catch nails and tails. Provide plenty and rotate to keep them interested.

Foraging toys can be a fun addition! You can create a glider "ball pit" with whiffle ball and a chincilla dust bath. Toss in some favorite treats like mealworms and watch the excitement!

DIET

One of the most important consideration for your gliders is diet. They have a high metabolism and special nutritional needs and must be on an "approved" diet. There is no easy all-in-one food that will meet their needs, and many of the diet plans will need significant prep time and very specific ingredients. These approved diets provide the high colories, proteins, vitamins, fruits, vegetables, and especially calcuim they need for long term health.

Please research and choose a glider safe diet that works best for you. Remember that they get fresh food every single night, even if it is pre-prepped, frozen, then thawed. Fresh water is also critical-water silos are recommended using non-chlorinated water. They can be acclimated to water bottles, but there should be at least 2 in case one stops working correctly. Gliders can dehydrate very quickly without access to water.