Sugar Gliders
Copyright (C) 2008 Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary. All Rights Reserved
Sugar Gliders are small marsupials who's native distribution is on the east coast of Australia, Tazmania, and parts of Indonesia.
Their scientific name is Petarus Breviceps, which means "short headed rope dancer." Gliders can live up to 15 years in captivity but
their life span in the wild is rarely more than 4 years. These animals live off of the sap of Acaica and Eucapyptus trees in rain
forests. They also eat insects, honey dew, and pollen.
Suggies as they are sometimes called are considered pests in their native countries because they often raid trash cans, gardens and flowering trees in human-filled areas. Driven from their native habitat from deforestation, sugar gliders can often make a nuisance out of themselves by wrecking landscaped trees and flowers.
As pets, gliders are not for everyone. Until tamed, they bite and exhibit wild behavior. They are exotic, cannot be housebroken, and can inflict pain when they over-groom you and scrape at your skin as if it were tree bark. They are friendly and curious, but take a lot of care and a special diet.
Suggies as they are sometimes called are considered pests in their native countries because they often raid trash cans, gardens and flowering trees in human-filled areas. Driven from their native habitat from deforestation, sugar gliders can often make a nuisance out of themselves by wrecking landscaped trees and flowers.
As pets, gliders are not for everyone. Until tamed, they bite and exhibit wild behavior. They are exotic, cannot be housebroken, and can inflict pain when they over-groom you and scrape at your skin as if it were tree bark. They are friendly and curious, but take a lot of care and a special diet.
The Epidemic
There is an Epidemic of unwanted and abandoned gliders. Because they are exotic pets, it takes a special person and family to dedicate
themselves to taking care of these animals. All too often they are purchased "on impulse" at trade shows, flea markets, and pet stores.
Breeders and sellers of these animals are often unscrupulous and misleading about how hard it is to care for these animals. Lies to
watch out for:
1. They get along with other animals. Lie.
Dogs and cats eat them and they are themselves omnivores
2. They only smell if you feed them animal protein. Lie.
They smell if you don't neuter them and fail to clean their cage and toys
3. They can live on store-bought pellets and apples. Lie.
They die on low-protein pellets. They need a carefully prepared diet.
1. They get along with other animals. Lie.
Dogs and cats eat them and they are themselves omnivores
2. They only smell if you feed them animal protein. Lie.
They smell if you don't neuter them and fail to clean their cage and toys
3. They can live on store-bought pellets and apples. Lie.
They die on low-protein pellets. They need a carefully prepared diet.
