Exotic Pets: Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are marsupials belonging to Indonesia, Australia and New Guinea. They are small gliding possums and weight up to three to five oz. They have a silky fur of the color pearl grey with patches of colors cream and black. The black color is often on their ears and end of the tail. They are named sugar gliders as a result of they can glide because of the patagium or the skin membrane which connects first toe of the hind foot with the fifth finger of the forelimb, on either side. They expand them to create an aerodynamic airplane to glide from one tree to another.

Sugar gliders have the habit of nibbling on each other, and this shouldn’t be confused with biting. They nibble to do many things like testing food, to point out affection, force, groom, etc. Babies initially are taught by biting. When they are angered, they get aggressive and bite really hard. So, new homeowners should be alert until the pets becomes familiar and stops biting. Care should be taken that this biting shouldn’t turn into a habit. Incase, if it turns into a daily conduct, the animal should be held firmly when it bites, so that it can’t move and gets tired of crabbing. Although this takes a long time the pet will ultimately get over its natural instinct. The animal must submit to the owner and it shouldn’t be given the feeling it has won. He must also be released very slowly; otherwise it will chunk again and flee. Also, they can be fed with some food, to appreciate their discipline once they start learning. Additionally they become comfy with humans, after they eat in front of them. Usually female sugar gliders are tough to tame, especially those which come directly from the wild.

Sugar gliders come from a very rough environment. They are basically searching animals. So they should be provided with a rich environment so that they donÂ’t get disturbed mentally. The cage should be very big so that they can leap freely. Small cages hinder the health of the animal. They are also very lively and want exercise. Their cage should be geared up with toys like exercise wheels with a diameter of eleven inches. They are also very inquisitive animals, so new things like cardboard boxes, should be introduced in their cage from time to time to stop boredom. The food can also be placed in different places to keep them on their heels. Food can also be hidden in branch holes, which they can dig out.

The cage of sugar gliders should be cleaned every week to ensure their hygiene. The urine should be spot cleaned as the ammonia in it can be very harmful to the respiratory system of sugar gilders. Also the moisture can encourage the growth of harmful fungus. If the cage isnÂ’t cleaned for a long time, not only will the occupants turn into sick but additionally the house will be filled with odor. Some precautions should be taken while cleaning the cage and also it should be sprayed with disinfectant so as to kill the germs and bacteria.

Sugar gliders are habituated to living in groups. That is the reason why they’re never saved alone as pets, as it will adversely affect their health. It additionally requires attention from humans around it. They cling onto one another when they sleep, so as to keep warm. They convey with one another by squeaking, crabbing, chirping and barking. They’ve a good memory and may retain a grudge in opposition to a human after receiving hurt from him, even if it was attributable to accident.

Females have the flexibility to beget offspring each seven to 10 months. They give delivery to a baby sugar glider after sixteen days of pregnancy, which normally weighs only 0.2 grams. After the birth, the infant shifts to the momÂ’s pouch, where it stays for seventy days and feeds on milk from the nipples. Each the mother and father have equal participation of citing their offspring.