Cage: A sugar glider's cage should be as big as you can
manage, although no smaller than 20x20x36 inches high for one or two
gliders. Height is a very important thing with glider cages, as your
glider feels safer the higher up it is. The wire bars of the cage should
be no more than .5 inches apart. This spacing is commonly called budgie
bars. It is better to have enameled wire, as
galvanized wire is harder to clean and poses a severe health hazard. Do not use
metal screening for your cage, because their nails
can get caught in it in addition the potential health risks to using
uncoated metal. Reptariums make wonderful cages for most gliders.
They are large, light, and easy to clean. If your sugar glider is a
chewer, you may want to consider something other than a reptarium.
Cage Location/Atmosphere: The location of the cage of you
cage should be chosen carefully. Choose a location that isn't loud all
the time. Sugar gliders should not be in a room with loud birds, as the
sounds birds make will cause stress for your sugar glider. Gliders
prefer the sensation of being high up, so if you cage is not a ceiling
to floor cage, place it on a sturdy table. The cage should not be in
direct sunlight, but should not be in complete darkness either. Room temperature should be
between 65 degrees F and 75 degrees F. This is really convenient, as
this is the average temperature of most homes.
Sleeping location: In the wild, sugar gliders sleep in
hollow trees lined in leaves. Small nesting boxes designed for birds make a great slumber box.
Offer fleece "blankets" or "strips" for them to build their nest. Wood
boxed that are untreated will get dirty fast and begin to smell. If you
use treated nest boxes for your sugar gliders, be sure that all
chemicals and paints are animal safe. Some owners prefer to use sleeping
pouches that mimic the comfort of being in their "mother's pouch".
Sleeping pouches are generally made out of fleece, or other soft,
natural, and breathable material. Be sure if using a pouch it is checked
often, as pouches do wear out. Some sugar glider will "dig" in their
pouches exposing seams and threads. Many sugar gliders have lost their
lives by getting caught in loose threads inside the pouch. Which ever you choose, place the item high
in the cage. This will make the glider feel safer.
Toys: Sugar gliders are very interactive animals. They
should have enough toys in their cage to promote interest, curiosity,
and movement. Most bird toys and some cat toys make wonderful toys for
sugar gliders. A toy that I would highly recommend is a sugar glider
safe wheel.
Please don't use wire wheels, or wheels with crossbars as many gliders have gotten their tails
caught along with various other injuries.
Branches/Perches: Add perches to your gliders cage, of
different levels and sizes. Different perch and branch sizes allow your
glider to exercise his feet muscles. Sugar gliders love natural
branches, although if you choose to get them from outside, they must be
sterilized by baking, or boiling. Never add a branch to your cage
without doing this, as you could introduce many parasites to you sugar
glider, and his home. Some good choices are elm and apple.
Feeding location: It is important with 2 or more sugar
gliders, to have more than one feeding station when introducing them, or
if you ever notice fighting or aggression over food. One sugar glider could
become dominate and not allow the others to eat. Try to have them at
different levels in the cage, and on opposite sides.
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