Skip to main content
#
AZ Sugar Glider Rescue, Inc.
site map
contact
email usour twitterour facebook page instagram
Frequently asked questions

Sugar gliders are relatively new as pets in the United States, they are also an exotic pet with specialized dietary and environment requirements. When we appear at events such as a Humane Society educational booth, 5k fundraising walk, or pet expo, we hear many of the same questions each time.  Below are some of the most asked questions.

  • What is a sugar glider?
    Sugar gliders are small, omnivorous, arboreal, nocturnal, gliding possums belonging to the marsupial infraclass.

  • What is their life expectancy?
    With proper diet and care, sugar gliders CAN live up to 12 to 15 years.

  • What do they eat?
    Sugar gliders are an exotic animal that require specialized diets. They need a daily variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein such as eggs or chicken. Use caution when selecting foods as some can be toxic. We feed a diet called "The Pet Glider Fresh Diet" designed by Priscilla Price. Ingredients and instructions can be found by selecting the "Diet/Nutrition" tab on our website.

  • Which foods should NOT be given to sugar gliders?
    Garlic, onions, leek, raw Lima/kidney beans, rhubarb, chocolate/cocoa, catnip, nuts (too high in phosphorus), peanuts(due to aflatoxin), seeds/pits/stones from fruit, branches or leaves from stone fruit trees (like peach, avocado, cherry, nectarine, apricot, etc.) are toxic. Other high fat foods, such as avocado should be avoided or given rarely. Additionally, no beef or pork, due to high fat, too hard to digest.

  • Why do you need at least two sugar gliders?
    Sugar gliders are very social colony animals that live in large numbers in the wild. If kept alone they can become depressed and lonely, which may cause them to become sick, act out, or self mutilate.

  • How much attention do sugar gliders need?
    You should be prepared to spend at least two hours a night with your sugar gliders. We recommend "tent time" where you interact with them in a safe small environment. A pop up tent or glider proofed bathroom work well. During the day zippered bonding pouches are a safe, easy way to spend time with your sugar gliders while they sleep.

  • What size cage do they need?
    The bigger the cage, the better. We recommend at least a single flight bird cage for a pair or trio. It should measure at least 36 inches high, 24 inches deep, and 24 inches wide.

  • Are sugar gliders good pets for children?
    Sugar gliders are not recommended for children. The require a specialized diet, nail trims, exotic vet visits, a lot of time, and can live many years. They can be good FAMILY pets when adults and children are both heavily involved. Children can develop many valuable skills caring for family pets, and can share in age appropriate tasks. Ultimately, the adults are responsible for providing proper care for all pets.

  • How much is your adoption fee?
    Our adoption fee is $100 per sugar glider or hedgehog. Every animal has been to our exotics veterinarian for an exam, fecal test, treatment for any medical issues, and male sugar gliders are neutered. Our cost providing care for each glider normally exceeds what we receive in adoption fees.

  • What is your adoption process?
    Please click on the "Adoption" tab on our website for detailed information.

    About us

    The Arizona Sugar Glider Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation founded for the purpose of helping pet sugar gliders have happy healthy lives. We not only rescue and rehome sugar gliders, we also offer education and mentoring to prospective and current glider parents.  During 2016 we expanded to rescue and rehome pet hedgehogs as well.

    Contact us
    email usour twitterour facebook page instagram
    AZ Sugar Glider Rescue, Inc.
    Phoenix, AZ 85053
    480-238-6063
    azsugargliderrescue@gmail.com
    Website Hosting & Tools By
        Precision Computing Arts / fastwebdev.com