Getting a sugar glider

Question
Hi i am thinking about getting a sugar glider and i have a couple of questions. Do they make good pets? are they affectionate? are they hard to look after? what's better male or female or a pair? if i get a pair will they bond and want nothing to do with me?

Answer
Hi Stephanie:

I'm going to answer some of your questions with a previous answer.  

1.  Do they make good pets?  

Sugar gliders do not make good pets for everybody or maybe I should say that not everyone makes a good owner for sugar gliders.  They are perfect for people who have a lot of time to dedicate to their pets, people whose lifestyle does not include a lot of time away from home or traveling.  

They really don't make very good pets for children or for people with small children and not a lot of time.  They do not make good pets for teenagers that plan to go to college, get married or possibly have kids in the next 10-12 years.  

All too often, people buy these animals for their children or for teenagers that lose interest or who care for them until they must leave for college or have their own kids and life becomes too demanding.  

Sugar gliders are a lot of fun once they are bonded, but forming that bond can be a lot of work in itself.  Sugar gliders can bite when frightened and can draw blood, but if you stick with it, are persistent and have a lot of patience and love, they can be wonderful pets -- for the right person.

2.  Are they affectionate?  

Yes, but not until bonded.  Once they are bonded, they may lick or groom you, sleep in your pocket or under your shirt.  They will crave your attention and want to be with you.  

3.  Are they hard to look after?

They can be.  I like to call them high-maintenance pets.  Their food needs to be prepared each night.  They should have 2-3 hours of play time each night and ideally, bonding time during the day.  Their food dishes need to be pulled out and cleaned each morning.  Their cages need to be cleaned weekly and their nails should be clipped regularly.  

4. What's better male or female or a pair?

Better a pair as long as any males are neutered.  Regardless of how much time you spend with a single glider, if it does not have a cage mate, it will be alone for most of the night and, since they are nocturnal, that would be most of the glider's waking hours.  Males if not neutered will develop a much stronger odor once it matures -- neutering helps lessen this to be equivalent with a female.  

5.  If I get a pair, will they bond and want nothing to do with me?

A pair will bond with each other to a degree, but they will also bond with you.  It will just take a little longer.  The benefits of a sugar glider having a cage mate outweigh keeping one single so it will bond better with you.  

I hope this helps.  Best of luck.