my sugar gliders strange behavior

Question
hello, I have two Male, Non neutered sugar gliders that are about a year and a half old. I just got them from a family that claimed they didn't have enough time for them. I have had them for about 3 weeks now. My gliders are very comfortable with their new home and are extremely friendly to me and my boyfriend. Every morning when we take out the fresh food dish it is almost empty. they seem to be eating and drinking correctly, and we have not changed their diet from what the previous owners were feeding them.I am very cautious about what I feed to them so that they will stay healthy in their new environment. I couldn't help but notice that when I take the food dish out in the mornings there are small brown speckled chunks in the dish. I assume it is some type of regurgitation? I don't want my babies to be sick so if you could help, that would be wonderful. the little chunks are ONLY in the food dish. Also the gliders are defecating like normal. is this throw up? or possibly food they hold in their checks similar to a squirrel? thank you for your help!

Answer
Dear Michelle:

Sounds normal if they are getting some brown colored pellets.  Sugar gliders eat by chewing up their food and sucking the nutrients out.  This is usually evidenced by 1/2 moon-shaped pieces left at the bottom about the size of the top of their mouth.  This is one of the reasons I do not recommend a pelleted diet.  Sugar gliders need to use their saliva to wet the food first in their mouths before they can suck the nutrients out.  I much prefer a moist diet, which can include moist pellets.  

I would research diets and get them on an approved diet right away.  My rescues never have a problem switching.  You just offer both side-by-side for a few days.  

Here's a link to research:

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/98

Best of luck with your little ones.

Laurie