Saturday, March 20, 2010
You are not logged in: Login | Register

How Long Do Sugar Gliders Live in Captivity?

By Anne Rose
 

Instructions

Life Expectancy

  • Step 1:
    Sugar gliders can live up to 15 years in captivity, but the average lifespan for a pet sugar glider is eight years. The wide range in life expectancy for sugar gliders can be accounted for by the challenges of providing an safe environment, proper nutrition and preventing illnesses in an exotic animal. In the wild, the life expectancy of a sugar glider is no more than six years.

Environment

  • Step 1:
    Credit: Creative Commons/LostinTexasSugar glider owners can help improve longevity of their pets by providing a safe environment. Sugar gliders have opposable thumbs and can escape from many cages. A secure, glider-proof cage will keep your pet safe. Sugar gliders that escape their cage are at risk of poisoning, attack by other animals, electrocution or entanglement and drowning, especially in an open toilet. Sugar gliders are intelligent animals who like to explore their environment. It is important to keep them out of danger. Do not leave them unattended when they are exercising outside of their cage. Sugar gliders should be kept away from drafts and breezes. Baby sugar gliders require a warm temperature, about 78 to 80 degrees. Adult sugar gliders live best at the temperature humans are comfortable in, from 65 to 90 degrees.

Diet

  • Step 1:
    A well-balanced, varied, low fat, low carbohydrate diet of cat or ferret food, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and insects helps avoid health issues. Onions and garlic are toxic to sugar gliders. The right combination of foods for a sugar glider can be time consuming to prepare. Sugar gliders need a constant supply of fresh water. They dehydrate easily. Water should be offered in a bowl that won't tip over or in a water bottle the sugar glider is comfortable drinking from.

Health Care

  • Step 1:
    Regular health checks and professional guidance contribute to healthy, long life. It is important to find a veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets and who is familiar with sugar gliders. Ask your vet if they have cared for other sugar gliders. Sugar gliders do not need immunizations. They should be carefully inspected for infections, parasites and any other signs of disease. Pay careful attention to your healthy sugar glider so that you recognize early signs of illness. They may be subtle. Like all wild animals, sugar gliders will hide their illness so that they are not more vulnerable to predators.

Expert Insight

  • Step 1:
    It is helpful for owners of exotic pets to participate in enthusiast groups, whether live or on line. There is a wealth of information available about these unusual pets from sugar glider breeders and from experienced sugar glider owners.

Photo/Video Credit

http://creativecommons.org; http://www.flickr.com; http://creativecommons.org

More Puppy Pages

How to Rescue a Sugar Glider

How to Rescue a Sugar Glider

Animals all over the country are in danger and need to be rescued, and the sugar glider is no exception. Many of these small animals need your help in being adopted and rehabilitated. Following these steps, you can help out the animal population by...

Read More

How to Take Care of a Sugar Glider

How to Take Care of a Sugar Glider

The sugar glider is a small marsupial native to Australia and its neighboring islands. Recently, however, these small tree-dwelling creatures have begun to gain popularity as domestic pets. While sugar gliders can make fun, unique pets, there are a few...

Read More

How to Purchase Sugar Gliders

How to Purchase Sugar Gliders

The decision to purchase a sugar glider should consist of more than just being able to find one for sale and having the cash in hand to pay for him. As with any pet, sugar gliders require proper food, housing, and attention. These exotic pets are gentle...

Read More

The Drawbacks of Sugar Glider Ownership

The Drawbacks of Sugar Glider Ownership

Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I'm representing Expert Village. I will be talking about the reasons that you will not want to own a Sugar Glider. Number one, they are very difficult to take care of. They can bite, they not necessarily friendly to children...

Read More

How to Adopt Sugar Gliders

How to Adopt Sugar Gliders

A sugar glider a small marsupial that is native to the forests of Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and Indonesia. A relative of kangaroos, wombats and Tasmanian devils, the sugar glider closely resembles the American flying squirrel with a membrane...

Read More