Caring For The Sugar Glider

Ever thought about keeping a small critter as a pet? “Critter” is probably a bit off for a sugar glider but it is small, for sure. No challenge is too small if you’re an animal enthusiast. And, according to Animal Scene’s resource person, sugar gliders shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge. Usually, they don’t. Why else would so many people be fascinated with them— cuteness aside—if they were hard to handle?

- Marielle Almario

It’s a what?

Sugar gliders are actually marsupials, meaning they’re a bit closer to koalas and kangaroos despite looking and acting like squirrels or flying squirrels. It would explain why, for one, the females have pouches in the middle of their abdomens. And, for another, why most sugar gliders are endemic to the forests of Australia, New Guinea, and the other islands around that area.

They’re used to a moderate temperature so if you do plan to have one, don’t worry about keeping it in a cold area or a dry area. Normal temperatures are just fine.

Team Tame

For being something of an exotic pet, sugar gliders are surprisingly easy to tame—if you know how to do it. Hans Sy, a sugar glider enthusiast, says that this is what attracted him to learning about sugar gliders and wanting to take care of one. He saw one and when he heard how easy they were to tame, he became curious about them.

Apparently, sugar gliders can be tamed even when they’re adults… just as long as they’re alone. The trick to taming one is when you feed it, as well as making sure to discipline the sugar glider. Gently, though, because sugar gliders are notorious for being frightened easily.

However you plan to tame your sugar glider, whether by the apron trick or some other method, Hansel says that it is best to be hands-on when handling your sugar glider. He says that you can never know what your sugar glider’s attitude is like, so you have to be able to properly and carefully tame it. You have to pay attention to your sugar glider while taming it. If your sugar glider keeps getting scared too much, it will always be on the defensive and bite as a natural reaction. Be mindful of them and they’ll learn to love you.