Sugar Gliders are a unique pet, some affectionately respond to them as pocket pets. Why are they called this? Well, they’re marsupials! Marsupials raise their young in pouches, and buying a fabric pouch to wear around and carry a glider in is a common way for people to transport and initiate bonding with these pets.

Now, if you’re interested in owning a Sugar Glider , there are a few things you should be aware of. The first, and most common make or break issue when it comes to Sugar Gliders, is that they are indeed nocturnal, just like the wild opossums you might find in your backyard. This means they won’t be awake during the day to be cute and active, and will, quite possibly, be making noises throughout the night. These animals squeak, chirp, glide and play in their enclosure. They’re social animals as well, meaning it’s highly recommended you do have  two if you’re worried you won’t be able to spend enough time with your glider on your own. But, once you’ve bonded, these pets are super social, cuddly, and love climbing all over you.

Sugar Gliders also have a pretty specific diet, and there’s a lot of misinformation spread about what they actually need to eat. Some people will tell you they can survive on a diet of insects alone. This is completely incorrect. Gliders require a diet of mostly fruit and vegetables.

Many owners prefer to mix their own feed for these animals after doing research, which you should always do before getting any kind of pet, but here are a few things you want to remember:

• No canned fruit or vegetables, these are too high in sugar and sodium for their little bodies.

•  No rhubarb, garlic, leeks, onions, these veggies are poisonous in high doses and will also cause your glider’s coat to discolor and the animal to put off a bad odor.

• When adding your protein, keep it lean and don’t use any fats. Eggs should be cooked in extra virgin olive oil and meat, turkey or chicken should be boiled.

There is no such thing as a fat and happy gliders. A fat glider would be unhappy and unhealthy. Healthy pet gliders have been known to live for 10 years on average.

Sugar Gliders are also considered an exotic pet, and you want to be sure you’re within a timely range of a veterinarian who has training with caring for exotic pets. You also want to check with the local ruling and laws to see if Sugar Gliders are legal to own where you live if you’re one of our out of state readers.

Gliders need a large cage that can be kept in an area that will stay quiet and warm during the day. 70 to 80 degrees is the ideal temperature range for their habitat, the closer to 80 the better. The most ideal habitat for these guys would include plenty of spaces to climb and hide. Longtime owners and vets suggest at least a 20 x 20 x 30 cage if you don’t have the ability to fully allow a room built up like a jungle for them. They need plenty of places to hide and pouches to sleep in, toys and things for enrichment, and room to play around. A large enough wheel to prevent back arching while they play on it, this is a  good rule for hamsters and other rodents you may keep as well. Too much exposure to this position while running could harm their back. Sugar

Gliders aren’t recommended for households with small children, as with most small animals, as they are very fragile and do bite when provoked. The only warning you or anyone handling the animal is an aggressive chirping noise known as ‘crabbing’, which sounds similar to the nighttime cries of Cicadas in the summer, this is a behavior they use in the wild as well to get predators to back off.

All types of pets have their own risks, restrictions and behavioral differences, even between members of the same species. You should always take the time to do your research, prepare your home and be sure you’re ready to spend time with your fur baby.