If you are reading this, you have either recently purchased a sugar glider or you are researching to find more information about them.
First things first, there is no ‘right way’ to raise a sugar glider. Every owner has their own ways and methods which work for them and their pet. The more you research, the more you will find much of the information you locate is from opinionated minds that believe their ways is the only way.
I am hoping that with over 15 years of experience, I can help guide you to make the safest and most affordable way possible to best suit your needs and allow you to have a happy, healthy sugar glider that will live a long and thriving life.
We are going to start off with ‘What to expect when you bring a new sugar glider joey home’.
Before bringing your new sugar glider home, make certain you have their cage setup, you have the diet you have chosen to feed and all the other supplies you may need ready to go.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You just brought home your new addition to the family!
The first few weeks are important in helping you and your glider develop a healthy, happy and trusting relationship.
They do not bond quickly like a puppy or kitten. If you try to reach in and just remove them, it will be natural for them to become terrified. They do not know nor trust this new smell or this giant that is trying to get them. It would be normal for them to act tough and lunch out to bite or try to get away from you.
Whenever you attempt to pick up our little one, use a large piece of fleece (I recommend a 9"X9" square)and wrap your sugar glider up in it.
Scoop them out of their cage pouch and place them in their bonding pouch. Once inside, zip it closed and place the bonding bag around your neck.
Do not try to look into your sugar gliders eyes right away. Animals, of all kinds, communicate mostly through eye contact. A consistant stare actually shows an aggressive and dominance stature. Just hold them and gently rub the pouch while speaking softly.
Try not to move around toomuch and you will feel your little one calm down and relax, eventually even fall asleep in its bonding pouch. Do this daily, as gliders are creatures of routine.
If you find your sugar glider is continously crabbing and can't/won't settle down after 10-15 minutes, place them back in their cage pouch and try again tomorrow.
Don't get discouraged and work on your gliders time. As hard as it is to want that bond as fast as possible, I can assure you, it's worht the wait and moving slow on their time will indeed pay off in the end.