For many people, the only animals one can keep as pets are cats and dogs, and for some birds. What they do not know is that there are thousands of animal that you keep as pets and enjoy their company. For example, sugar gliders. This may be a new term to many people.
Here is a guide to help you understand more about sugar glider facts.
What are sugar gliders?
Sugar gliders are small marsupial animals from the same family as kangaroos and
koala bears. They get their name sugar for their love of eating sweet foods
especially fresh fruits and vegetables.
For the name glider, this comes from the gliding membrane they have. It stretches right from the wrist to their ankles. This gliding membrane facilitates them to glide from tree to tree, and not to fly.
Many people confuse sugar gliders for rodents. Sugar gliders are not rodents,
rather they are marsupials. There are so many advantages that come with rearing
a sugar glider rather than rodent pets like squirrels and hamsters.
For instance, like dogs and cats, sugar gliders have a lifespan, 12-15 years, which is quite long compared to that of rodents.
Also, it is very easy to train a sugar glider due to their intelligence. When constantly trained, they can learn their names and even do tricks other pets cannot.
Sugar gliders are also very clean animals, you even do not require to clean them.
In addition to it, they do not have bad smells when well fed, which is totally
different from rodents.
Rodents have a habit of chewing on everything they find their way and therefore
can be very destructive when not left in cages. This is hardly the case with sugar
gliders. They are not destructive in any way.
he manner they bond with humans and other pets are very fascinating. When
properly trained, they form strong and permanent bonds in a way that they treat
humans as their families. Do not expect this when you have rodents as a pet.
Also, a point not worth forgetting on sugar glider facts is that they have no feet.
Rather, they have four limbs with an opposable thumb, just like as humans. It is quite interesting to watch them eat. The way they hold food is a total resemblance of a person.
Sugar glider origins
The origin of sugar gliders can be traced back to Australia and Indonesia
rainforests. They were night hunters and generally fed on small insects and sap
from certain trees. Another sugar glider facts are that sugar gliders are colony
animals. In the forests, sugar gliders live in colonies of 10-15 gliders. This can
explain their love for people and pets and easy bonding. They simply do not like
living alone.
Sugar glider lifespan
When well taken care of, sugar gliders can live up to 10-15 years averagely.
Sugar glider temperament
Sugar gliders are simply sweet, playful and inquisitive animals, perfect features for
a good pet. They are also very friendly and do well with young kids and other
pets. Their intelligent nature makes it for humans to bond with them.
Many people may not bring sugar gliders as pets with the fear that dogs and cats
might attack them. You will be surprised at how fast they bond and get along. Simply
because they resemble mice, it does not mean that dogs and cats will see them as
food.
Sugar gliders food
As mentioned earlier, sugar gliders like to feed on sweet foods such as fresh fruits
and vegetables. Feeding a sugar glider is quite cheap since you can feed them on
whatever you are eating. For a dedicated sugar glider owner, you can go ahead to
catch some insects in your free time and give them as food.
In general, a sugar glider meal should contain three basic components, fruits and vegetables, and proteins and vitamins. A point to note is that when sugar gliders are fed with animal proteins, they can develop an unpleasant smell.
Therefore, to curb this, you can simply purchase a balanced pelleted sugar glider meal, with all the above components.
Sugar glider barking
A sugar glider bark is similar to that one of a puppy. Sugar gliders can bark for
various reasons. Here are some of them.
Sugar gliders bark simply as a way of communicating. They can also bark when
they sense danger. At times when they are afraid or irritated. Intensive barking
can be an indicator of ill health or pain. Take them to a vet for medical attention.
As social animals, they might simply be bored and just need some of your
attention. They just do not like to be alone. Sugar gliders act as watchdogs at
times. They can bark in the sight of an intruder.
If you find their barks irritating, here are some remedies you can apply
Spend as much time as you can with them since at times loneliness can make
them bark. Also, regularly check their health status and in case of an odd thing
you see, take them for the checkup. Always remember to feed them on time as
sometimes hunger is the reason for the noise. Since they are mostly active at
night, you can place a nightlight so they think a day is approaching and they will
definitely go to sleep. It is also a wise idea to set them free for some time to
prevent boredom.
Sugar glider baby
A sugar glider gives birth to 2-3litters a year, which is one or two babies per litter.
Its gestation period is about 15-17 days. After a sugar glider gives birth, the baby
climbs into the female’s’ pouch, where it stays for about two weeks before it
starts to be noticeable. The size of a newborn sugar glide is as small as a rice
grain. They stay in their mother’s pouch for about 6 weeks but in three to four
weeks they can open their eyes and are even ready for weaning. In four weeks
they can also move from the pouch for new cages.
Sugar glider color
Sugar gliders have very amazing colors when properly bred. Here are some of
their colors. The most common color of a sugar glider is standard gray. Those with thus color have a long dark stripe that runs from its tail to the head, and may at times
extend to their ears and eyes. Variation of the gray color can be black beauty. For
these their stripe is very dark and have a dark ring around their eyes.
Another variation is a lion. This exhibits a golden colored body. Cinnamon is another
variation, derived from the brownish tint they have all over their coat.
Other sugar gliders have a white color with no stripes, but with very dark eyes.
Sugar glider flying
Sugar gliders cannot really fly. Though they love very much jumping from cage to
cage from tree to tree, they cannot really fly. Their movement is by gliding. They
glide with the help of a gliding membrane that runs from their ankles to their
wrists.
Sugar glider teeth
Sugar gliders have a set of forty permanent teeth, comprising of incisors,
premolars, and molars. Their teeth are firmly set to the gums to help them in
gliding food and breaking the barks of trees to obtain sap.
Sugar glider health
Sugar gliders have very minimum health issues. Your visits to the vet will be
minimal when you take them in for pets. In fact, for people with allergies, this is
the best pets for them.
All this information exhibits sugar gliders facts that make them a viable pet for
any person. Adopt one today and enjoy their company.