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Step 1
The first thing you want to check out before getting a sugar glider is making sure they are legal in your area. They are considered exotic animals and are illegal in some places.
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Step 2
Also, be sure to make sure there is a Veterinarian in your area that can see your sugar glider if anything happens. There are very few vets that have experience with them and their health issues require specialized attention from an experienced Veterinarian.
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Step 3
The next thing you want to consider before getting a sugar glider is whether or not you have the finances. Sugar gliders cost a lot of money. Not only to buy one but to keep them. You're looking at $100-300 for the sugar glider, a few hundred for a cage, supplies, food, and veterinary care if necessary.
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Step 4
You also want to consider whether or not you have the time to take care of a sugar glider. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals, they sleep during the day and play and eat at night. Also, your sugar glider will not come bonded. It takes time everyday to bond with your sugar glider.
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Step 5
You need to be prepared for a sugar glider's diet. They require a captive diet that you will need to prepare each night. They eat things like live crickets, meal worms, grubs, fruits, and some vegetables. So if your not comfortable around those insects, you shouldn't own one. And because you can't simply feed them pellet food like with a dog, you will have to make regular trips to a pet store to buy insects for it to eat.
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Step 6
Under no circumstances, plan to just own one. Sugar gliders cannot live by themselves. In the wild, they live in groups of 15-30. If they are kept alone with only human interaction, they can become depressed. And sugar gliders have the tendency to self-mutilate if depressed or stressed out.
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Step 7
Don't be afraid to get bit. If you own a sugar glider, chances are he or she will bite you from time to time. And they have the capability to bite hard and deep. They can draw blood.
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Step 8
Also, you have to be prepared with the noises they make. Sugar gliders make this "crabbing" sound sometimes, usually when they are upset. And bark incessantly at night. That along with the noises they make jumping around their cage and running on their wheel can keep you up all night. You can listen to what this sounds like on youtube to get a beter idea.
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Step 9
Another thing you want to consider is whether or not you have the space for a sugar glider. When they are in the wild the glide from tree to tree and they run in the trees. This means that you need to have an aviary to keep them in. A regular bird cage is way too small for a sugar glider.
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Step 10
Not to mention, they are very messy. They have no control over their bowels and will poop on you when outside of the cage, and all over the cage as well it falling out of the cage. They do have scent glands like a ferret, not nearly as smelly but they do mark their territory by urinating everywhere.
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Step 11
Sugar gliders are marsupials. And if you have a male and a female, they can mate 3-4 times a year. Because they are marsupials, the norm is 1 or 2 baby joeys at a time. Which can become stressful on the mother as well as you for having to take care and feed them after the joeys are weened.
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Step 12
Lastly, before getting a sugar glider, ask yourself if you're in it for the long run. Sugar gliders live for up to 15 years. Many people will take on a sugar glider and realize just how demanding they are, and they give them up.
