We sure do love our exotic pets – from hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs to parrots, tortoises and degus, there seems to be an animal to suit even the most novice (or experienced!) of exotic pet keepers. One particular furry friend that you may consider sharing your home with are sugar gliders. 

Sugar gliders are often described as being friendly and playful with a long life span. However, do they make good pets, and what does their care consist of? 

Let’s take a look at the husbandry and care required to keep sugar gliders as pets. 

What are sugar gliders? 

Sugar gliders are nocturnal marsupials – a small mammal that is most active at night and carries their young in a pouch, similar to a kangaroo. These super cute creatures are native to Australia and New Guinea and are an arboreal species, meaning that they like to spend their time exploring high up in the tree canopy. 

Sugar gliders are a similar size to a squirrel, with grey fur and a black stripe down their backs. They have big, dark eyes which aid with their night vision and a long tail to help them keep their balance. Probably their most iconic feature is a gliding membrane which could be described as connecting their front and back legs. This is also known as the patagium and this membrane is what contributes to the ‘glider’ in their name. 

The patagium allows the sugar glider to quite literally glide through the air. So much so that they can jump from a tree and glide up to 50 metres in length – that’s the equivalent of half a football field! They are able to steer themselves and change direction mid-air whilst using their tails like a rudder. 

Sugar gliders have become an increasingly popular exotic pet, but their care should not be underestimated. As with any animal, their husbandry should mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible to make them feel right at home, as well as avoiding any unwanted behaviours. 

Are sugar gliders legal to keep in the UK? 

Yes, sugar gliders are a legal pet to keep in the UK and do not require a license or special permit. However, the RSPCA and most other animal welfare organisations do not actually recommend keeping sugar gliders as pets for most owners. The RSPCA promotes the 5 welfare needs of animal care and reminds owners that it is their legal obligation to provide pets with these whilst being kept in captivity. These include: 

  • Need for a suitable environment 
  • Need for a suitable diet 
  • Need to display normal behaviour 
  • Need to be housed with or apart from others according to species requirements 
  • Need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease 

Whilst the 5 Welfare Needs are super important to the care of any animal, as owners, it may be worth taking a closer look at these before deciding to own an exotic pet. In some cases, owners may be unaware of the correct husbandry associated with the care of sugar gliders and this can include the correct diet, housing and even specialised vet care. 

When we compare the natural habitat of a sugar glider, it may be extremely difficult to replicate this in captivity and it is here that we could argue that there could be a break in the 5 Needs due to not allowing sugar gliders to express their normal behaviour. 

The RSPCA point out that these long-living mammals of over 10 years require specialist care that is hard to replicate within a home environment. 

Sugar Glider care 

Whilst this all sounds very serious and a little ‘one-sided’ of an opinion, it is important to note that there are some very responsible, dedicated and passionate sugar glider owners out there. If you’re a first time exotic pet owner, sugar gliders may not be a beginner-friendly option and it would be wise to state that they would be better suited to an experienced keeper that can provide them with everything that they need in order to thrive. 

So, what does it take to make sugar gliders feel right at home? 

Sociable groups:  

Sugar gliders are social creatures and should never be housed alone. At an absolute minimum, a pair of sugar gliders should be kept together, but in the wild they live in groups of over 10! However, keep in mind that multiple unneutered males can fight and show aggressive behaviours within the group, so one male along with females works best. If a sugar glider was to be kept alone, they could begin to show signs of stress, depression and loneliness. This could lead to self-mutilation, aggression and in some cases even death, making it even more important for them to be housed in groups to keep them happy and healthy. 

Enclosure:  

We know that sugar gliders can jump and glide up to 50 metres, but it’s unlikely that the average home would have this amount of available space. When it comes to enclosure size, it’s important to remember that this is possibly one of the most important parts of their husbandry. This means that sugar gliders should be offered as much space as physically possible. An enclosure that is not only tall to allow them to feel safe up high, but also wide to allow for jumping and exploring is a perfect habitat for sugar gliders. When it comes to minimum and maximum sizes, it is very hard to pinpoint an exact figure. In fact, a good rule for a maximum size is as big as you can offer… There’s no maximum ‘enclosure’ size in the wild! For 2 sugar gliders, an enclosure that exceeds 6ft high is ideal, adding at least an extra 30% of space per additional sugar glider. Think of a walk-in style bird aviary instead of a cage in the corner of a room. 

The layout of the enclosure is also extremely important. If we think back to the 5 Needs, we need to allow the sugar gliders to express their normal behaviours, so multiple levels, branches, climbing ropes and natural perches should be provided throughout the habitat. Sleeping pouches should also be made available within the enclosure. 

Provide your sugar gliders with a home away from home – think dense jungle and treetop vibes and you’re sure to have a group of very happy marsupials! 

Diet:  

This can be a little tricky, as there needs to be a delicate balance within the diet of a sugar glider. In the wild, they eat insects, fruit, tree sap and nectar. So in captivity, this needs to be replicated as closely as possible. As with many exotic pets, sugar gliders can be prone to a condition called metabolic bone disease and this can be due to a lack of calcium found within the diet. It is recommended that a complete diet should be offered that is nutritionally balanced with calcium and phosphorus. This can be home-made, including the popular Bourbon’s Modified Leadbeater diet, a High Protein Wombartoo Diet powder and the Pet Glider Diet. Following these recipes provides the goodness that sugar gliders need to thrive. 

Along with this, insects such as mealworms and crickets should be available, along with kale, sweet potato, green beans, peppers, melon, mango and apple. As always, fresh water should be available. 

Plenty of time should be set aside for meal prep – this is one of the key aspects of sugar glider care and is very important for their overall health. 

Common health problems 

Before you decide to care for sugar gliders, it’s crucial that you are able to have access to veterinary care for support and assistance when needed. The VetHelpDirect find a vet tool will help you to locate your closest practice with exotic or zoological experience. 

  • Metabolic Bone Disease: Common in many exotic pets, MBD can occur due to a lack of calcium obtained from the diet, or from a poor calcium:phosphorus ratio. Sugar gliders can be extremely prone to MBD, with causes also including a fruit only diet – a common misconception that sugar gliders only eat fruit. Symptoms include tremors, fractures, hind-limb paralysis and weakness of the limbs. 
  • Obesity: Although small and cute, sugar gliders can gain weight easily, especially in captivity. This is often due to too many treats, sugary foods or inadequate space within the enclosure. Obesity can be easily avoided with the correct husbandry and symptoms such as lethargy and secondary illnesses can be avoided. 
  • Dental Disease: Closely linked to a poor diet, sugar gliders can also suffer from dental disease. This can lead to weight loss, bad breath, drooling and difficulty eating. 
  • Respiratory infections: Poor ventilation, damp environments and unhygienic conditions can all lead to respiratory infections in sugar gliders. Symptoms often include nasal discharge, lethargy, sneezing and changes in the breathing pattern. 

Remember that not all veterinary practices will be equipped to diagnose and treat conditions seen in sugar gliders. Many owners may have to travel to reach a veterinary practice that will be able to see sugar gliders for a consultation. 

Do sugar gliders make good pets? 

This is a tricky question to answer. With the correct set-up, time and dedication, sugar gliders can do really well in captivity. So for an experienced keeper who is able to commit the time and knowledge to keeping sugar gliders, they absolutely make great pets. However, for the everyday pet owner or a beginner venturing into the exotic world, sugar gliders are probably not the best option. 

If you’re a beginner keeper wanting to care for a small, furry creature, it may be better to consider rats, gerbils or hamsters! 

As with any pet, careful thought and consideration should be carried out before deciding to share your home with a sugar glider. Ensure that you are able to give them the time and energy that they deserve so that they are able to thrive in your care.