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Common New Owner Questions:
Q. Do sugar gliders bite?
A. Yes, sugar gliders can bite. Anything with teeth can bite, but tame and bonded gliders rarely do. A sugar glider bite feels similar to that of a hamster bite, although they don’t always break skin. Sometimes a tame and bonded glider may bite out of illness or if it is startled. Unbonded sugar gliders will bite out of fear. If your sugar glider does bite, it is important to take the bite. If the sugar glider learns that it can archive what it wants by biting, it will continue the behavior.
A less painful type of “bite” is called a nip. In this case the sugar glider doesn’t break the skin, but creates more of a pinch. This is often times a warning of its unhappiness or discomfort. Sugar gliders may nip you if they smell food or something they think is food on your hands (ex. lotions).
Tips to avoid being bit:
* Avoid grabbing a sugar glider from above. This will create a defensive response, and may result in a bite. Instead, try coxing the sugar glider on the back of your hand, or scooping it up gently from below.
* Some sugar gliders are “pouch protective” in these cases, the sugar glider will feel the need to protect their nest. Gently coax the sugar glider out of the pouch by working him up to the top of the pouch.
* Offer the back of your hand instead of the palm. Most animals will find this less intimidating. Not to mention, taking a bite on the back of the hand is less painful than on the palm.
Q. Do sugar gliders need immunization (shots)?
A. No. Sugar gliders are not required or recommended for immunization shots at this time. The lower body temperature keeps the glider safe from many illnesses that would other wise affect placental mammals. One example is rabies. If a sugar glider came into contact with rabies the glider could not get or spread the disease. Sugar gliders are marsupials, as such their body temperature is lower than that of placental mammals.. Of coarse this does not mean that sugar gliders unable to get sick. There are still many diseases sugar gliders are susceptible to.
Q. Do sugar gliders make a lot of noise?
A. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals. They are extremely active, vocal, and playful at night. Often times a verity of vocalizations can be heard, from barking (similar to a small puppy barking), crabbing, to chittering and hissing. Toys and wheels make noise. Most people, especially light sleepers, should not house sugar gliders in their bedroom. For the most part, yes, they can be loud, however, they aren’t usually loud enough to keep the neighbors up.
Q. Do sugar gliders teeth keep growing?
A. NO!! Sugar gliders are NOT rodents, they are marsupial possums. A sugar gliders teeth should never be trimmed or floated.
Q. My sugar glider doesn’t seem to drink a lot of water. Should I be worried?
A. Sugar gliders receive most of their “water” from the foods they consume. This is why dry pellet diets are not recommended as a healthy diet. Fresh water should always be offered. If you are concerned about dehydration, try tenting the skin on the back of the sugar glider’s neck. If it goes back down immediately, there are no problems with dehydration. However, if the skin stays tented or goes down slowly, the glider is dehydrated. Often times offering a small amount of juice, glideraide, or a 50/50 mixture of Pedialyte and water will help a dehydrated sugar glider. Sugar gliders can hide illnesses well. If you have any reason to believe your sugar glider may be ill, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
Q. What is that bald spot on the head and chest of my sugar glider?
A. The “bald spot” on the head, and chest are caused by active scent glands secreting oils. Intact males will rub their chest, head, and anus on their cage, colony members, and other objects, to mark what is “theirs”. Males that are neutered will stop producing the oil that mats down the fur creating the “bald spots”. Over time, neutered males will completely loose their “bald spots”.
Q. What is that pink worm thing coming out of my sugar gliders anus??
A. This is a males penis. The penis is pinkish in color, and is considered to be bifurcated. This means it is divided in two, but it is actually 2 separate shafts. New owners often mistake the penis for worms, or intestines. The penis is quite long, but is most often retracted . You may at times see your male with it out, cleaning it, and even showing it off.
Q. Can I take photos of my sugar glider with the flash?
A. Yes. You can safely take a few photos of your sugar glider using the flash. It is recommended that you limit photos in one session, and use the flash when needed. Occasionally using the flash feature on your camera will not harm the sugar glider’s eyes. However, using it repetitively for long photo sessions, may become uncomfortable for the sugar glider.
Q. Do sugar gliders bite?
A. Yes, sugar gliders can bite. Anything with teeth can bite, but tame and bonded gliders rarely do. A sugar glider bite feels similar to that of a hamster bite, although they don’t always break skin. Sometimes a tame and bonded glider may bite out of illness or if it is startled. Unbonded sugar gliders will bite out of fear. If your sugar glider does bite, it is important to take the bite. If the sugar glider learns that it can archive what it wants by biting, it will continue the behavior.
A less painful type of “bite” is called a nip. In this case the sugar glider doesn’t break the skin, but creates more of a pinch. This is often times a warning of its unhappiness or discomfort. Sugar gliders may nip you if they smell food or something they think is food on your hands (ex. lotions).
Tips to avoid being bit:
* Avoid grabbing a sugar glider from above. This will create a defensive response, and may result in a bite. Instead, try coxing the sugar glider on the back of your hand, or scooping it up gently from below.
* Some sugar gliders are “pouch protective” in these cases, the sugar glider will feel the need to protect their nest. Gently coax the sugar glider out of the pouch by working him up to the top of the pouch.
* Offer the back of your hand instead of the palm. Most animals will find this less intimidating. Not to mention, taking a bite on the back of the hand is less painful than on the palm.
Q. Do sugar gliders need immunization (shots)?
A. No. Sugar gliders are not required or recommended for immunization shots at this time. The lower body temperature keeps the glider safe from many illnesses that would other wise affect placental mammals. One example is rabies. If a sugar glider came into contact with rabies the glider could not get or spread the disease. Sugar gliders are marsupials, as such their body temperature is lower than that of placental mammals.. Of coarse this does not mean that sugar gliders unable to get sick. There are still many diseases sugar gliders are susceptible to.
Q. Do sugar gliders make a lot of noise?
A. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals. They are extremely active, vocal, and playful at night. Often times a verity of vocalizations can be heard, from barking (similar to a small puppy barking), crabbing, to chittering and hissing. Toys and wheels make noise. Most people, especially light sleepers, should not house sugar gliders in their bedroom. For the most part, yes, they can be loud, however, they aren’t usually loud enough to keep the neighbors up.
Q. Do sugar gliders teeth keep growing?
A. NO!! Sugar gliders are NOT rodents, they are marsupial possums. A sugar gliders teeth should never be trimmed or floated.
Q. My sugar glider doesn’t seem to drink a lot of water. Should I be worried?
A. Sugar gliders receive most of their “water” from the foods they consume. This is why dry pellet diets are not recommended as a healthy diet. Fresh water should always be offered. If you are concerned about dehydration, try tenting the skin on the back of the sugar glider’s neck. If it goes back down immediately, there are no problems with dehydration. However, if the skin stays tented or goes down slowly, the glider is dehydrated. Often times offering a small amount of juice, glideraide, or a 50/50 mixture of Pedialyte and water will help a dehydrated sugar glider. Sugar gliders can hide illnesses well. If you have any reason to believe your sugar glider may be ill, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
Q. What is that bald spot on the head and chest of my sugar glider?
A. The “bald spot” on the head, and chest are caused by active scent glands secreting oils. Intact males will rub their chest, head, and anus on their cage, colony members, and other objects, to mark what is “theirs”. Males that are neutered will stop producing the oil that mats down the fur creating the “bald spots”. Over time, neutered males will completely loose their “bald spots”.
Q. What is that pink worm thing coming out of my sugar gliders anus??
A. This is a males penis. The penis is pinkish in color, and is considered to be bifurcated. This means it is divided in two, but it is actually 2 separate shafts. New owners often mistake the penis for worms, or intestines. The penis is quite long, but is most often retracted . You may at times see your male with it out, cleaning it, and even showing it off.
Q. Can I take photos of my sugar glider with the flash?
A. Yes. You can safely take a few photos of your sugar glider using the flash. It is recommended that you limit photos in one session, and use the flash when needed. Occasionally using the flash feature on your camera will not harm the sugar glider’s eyes. However, using it repetitively for long photo sessions, may become uncomfortable for the sugar glider.