Characteristics

IS IT BETTER TO HAVE ONE OR TWO GLIDERS?

Even though sugar gliders are very social animals,; they can live alone and be perfectly happy and healthy.; But, they do need plenty of attention. I believe that if you spend a lot of time with your glider it can be content and happy by itself.; If you know you are not able or willing to spend a lot of time with it I suggest NOT buying a sugar glider at all.; Two gliders take twice as much work and effort in the bonding process.

Quite a few of my sugar glider customers enjoy their first sugar glider so much they return for a second sugar glider.; However, I have seen gliders resent the addition of a friend.; They are used to being "the boss" or "king of the hill".; The new glider isn't a playmate, but a threat.; They now have to share what was theirs alone.

I HAVE A GLIDER, BUT NOT MUCH TIME. SHOULD I GET IT A FRIEND?

If you don't have the time to spend with one glider, you will certainly not have enough time to spend with two of them. Often times when gliders are raised by themselves they adjust to being alone.

HOW DO I INTRODUCE TWO SUGAR GLIDERS TO EACH OTHER?

Some gliders accept each other immediately, but this is not always the case. The gliders usually need to be about the same size before they can be completely trusted with each other. I recommend keeping the gliders' cages side by side so they have a chance to get to know each other within the safety of their own cage. It is also a good idea to switch their pouches so they can get used to each others scents close up. You can then let one glider play on the outside of the cage and the other inside the cage or you can also hold one and attempt to get the other one out at the same time. One final method of introducing them to each other is to quietly slip one into the other’s pouch while they are sleeping. It is impossible to predict how every glider will react in each situation so use common sense and keep a close watch on their reactions to each other.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ONE GLIDER WILL NOT ACCEPT ANOTHER GLIDER?

Yes, there is always a possibility that two gliders may never get along. I have never had a problem introducing two gliders, but I know of people that have older gliders that will not accept a cage mate.

I have heard both success and horror stories of introducing intact adult males to each other. The safest way to introduce to males it to neuter one if not both of the males because once a dominant male has established a territory he many not want on intruder or competition.

WHICH IS BETTER A MALE OR FEMALE?

I don’t think there is much of a difference between a neutered male and a female as a pet.; I have observed the same good and bad traits in both males and females. Two females, two males (neutered) or a neutered male and female will usually get along in pairs.

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF A NEUTERED MALE?

My male sugar gliders are neutered for several reasons. The first main reason I neuter my males is that neutered males do not develop the scent glands that intact males develop. There is a big difference in the smell between neutered and unneutered male sugar gliders. There is no bald spot on the neutered males because the bald spot is a scent gland and it does not develop. The second is to prevent unwanted babies. Most people do not realize that once sugar gliders start having babies they keep having babies! They can have two babies at a time up to three times a year. This is a lot of babies over a course of say 12 years! Also, most people do not realize that you need a USDA license to give away or sell sugar gliders because they are considered an exotic animal under the Animal Welfare Act. The USDA inspectors are cracking down and trying to eliminate unlicensed hobby breeders.

Interested in Getting a Federal License?

Check out www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/

HOW CAN I TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MALE AND A FEMALE?

The easiest way to identify an adult, intact male sugar glider is the bald spot on the center of his forehead. The bald spot is a scent gland and he will have another scent gland on his chest. He will also have a furry ball on his abdomen where you might expect a belly button. The furry ball is the external scrotal sac.

A neutered male glider will have the scrotal sac removed and thus it will have a smooth belly. Also, there will be no scent glands. The neutered male sugar glider looks very much like a female.

The easiest way to identify a female sugar glider is the pouch opening on her abdomen where you might expect a navel on a placental mammal. You may have to move the fur around on her belly to find it. If the female has babies in her pouch, her pouch opening may be much more obvious.