Appropriate Housing
Sugar Gliders require large cages in order to glide, keep a positive disposition, and for overall health. This is why in captivity the minimum housing should be no less than 4 cubic feet per glider. The more gliders kept in the cage the larger it should be and the more pouches or nest boxes it should have (Barnes 59).
Sleeping Areas
There should be a sleeping area for every glider kept in the cage to shelter those that maybe in a squabble with others, feeling irritable, or have a desire to have some alone time.
Nesting boxes and double lined fleece pouches are popular choices for sleeping areas and mimic tree hollows.
Plastic tubs can be used instead of nesting boxes for an affordable sleeping area. Just:
For other cage accessories or fleece sleeping pouches check out some online glider vendors or just check them out for your own inspiration and DIY your own toys.
Nesting boxes and double lined fleece pouches are popular choices for sleeping areas and mimic tree hollows.
Plastic tubs can be used instead of nesting boxes for an affordable sleeping area. Just:
- Clean out the tub with soap and water and dry completely.
- With an X-acto knife or scissors make a large hole on the top bigger than your largest glider. I suggest adding a few small ventilation holes as well.
- Then add nesting materials to provide warmth and comfort. Fleece squares are a good nesting material that can be washed in a hosiery bag.
For other cage accessories or fleece sleeping pouches check out some online glider vendors or just check them out for your own inspiration and DIY your own toys.
Exercise Wheels
Exercise wheels are a requirement because of the high energy Sugar Gliders have.
Exercise wheels have two purposes, keeping your gliders weight stable and providing hours of entertainment during the night.
There are a few guidelines for wheels.
These sugar glider wheels where designed specifically for gliders and are preferred by glider enthusiasts and gliders. My favorite is the Raptor Wheel.
Exercise wheels have two purposes, keeping your gliders weight stable and providing hours of entertainment during the night.
There are a few guidelines for wheels.
- They must not have a crossbar because of the numerous injuries that have occurred with wheels that are meant for other animals that lack long tails.
- They should have a ball-bearing to create resistance for a more challenging work out.
- Although not required mesh tracks are preferred for gliders that believe the bathroom is in the wheel.
These sugar glider wheels where designed specifically for gliders and are preferred by glider enthusiasts and gliders. My favorite is the Raptor Wheel.
Toys and Other Activities
Trampolines and fun for swaying back and forth or
to lounge.
Since gliders are so high energy they get bored fast. By providing toys, encouraging foraging, and rearranging the set up of the cage you can keep your glider entertained throughout the night while they are fully awake.
- Fresh Eucalyptus is a fun a great treat to add to their cage that they will often rip up just for the fun of it and some gliders love to chew up leaves.
- Toys that have lounging areas let your gliders hangout and groom.
- Some of the best toys have bells that make a lot of noise which is just music to their ears.
- Lots of areas they can jump down to, land on, or glide from like bridges, corner shelves, and hammocks are fun and easy to put up.
- Setting up the cage differently each week keeps their mind sharp and they never have a dull moment.
More toys
- Along with different set ups a variety of nests encourages nest making and helps mimic the urge to "get up and move" as they often do in the wild.
- Hanging foraging toys are favorited for the treats that they hide and how challenging it is to obtain the treats. Many contain cups that hold insects very well.
- Other foraging toys like easter eggs or other small containers require a lot of energy and thought to open and may feel the most rewarding when the price is won.
References
Barnes, Michele. "9 Sugar Gliders." Hand-rearing Wild and Domestic Mammals. By Laurie J. Gage. Ames, IA: Iowa State, 2002. 55-56. Print.
Barnes, Michele. "9 Sugar Gliders." Hand-rearing Wild and Domestic Mammals. By Laurie J. Gage. Ames, IA: Iowa State, 2002. 55-56. Print.