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:
Sugar 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.

Resources

Suz' Sugar Gliders

Photo/Video Credit

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

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