A Sugar Glider`s Cage Should

Habitat
By Jennifer Bender
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 is 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.
www.TheGliderInitiative.org
www.TheGliderInitiative.org