How to Take Care of a Baby Sugar Glider

Caring for a sugar glider is relatively easy. In some cases, baby sugar gliders (or joeys) will need to be hand-fed and nurtured by their owner. This could be due to rejection by the mother, an infection in the mother's pouch, or the death of the mother during labor. Two of the most important aspects of caring for a joey are proper incubation and feeding.

Things You'll Need

• 10-gallon glass aquarium with lid
• 8 by 8-inch reptile heat pad
• Thermometer
• Spray bottle with water
• Washcloth
• 2 large fleece blankets
• 6 small fleece blankets
• Small stuffed animal
• Towel
• 1½ tbsp. unflavored Pedialyte
• ½ tbsp. apple juice
• ½ tsp. Gliderade or Lorikeet Nectar Powder
• ½ tsp. Brisky's Booster Milk powder or Wambaroo Possum Milk Replacer
• 1 tsp. dry baby cereal (not for premature joeys)
• 0.5 cc syringe (plastic)
• Moistened Q-tip
• Baby wipes

Instructions

Incubation

1. Purchase fleece material at a craft store to make the blankets, cutting two 12 by 12-inch pieces and six 6 by 6-inch pieces. You also can use premade fleece blankets.

2. Place the reptile heating pad underneath the aquarium on the outside. Follow the directions on the packaging for more information.

3. Turn the pad onto the lowest setting.

4. Place the thermometer at the bottom of the tank in an easily accessible area. Monitor the temperature, making sure it does not go over 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Place a washcloth over the heating pad and mist it with water from the spray bottle. This will maintain humidity in the incubator and keep the joey's skin healthy. Spray the washcloth every four to six hours.

6. Place the two large fleece blankets in the bottom of the tank over the heating pad. Fluff them up to give the joey places to nestle.

7. Place the small stuffed animal in one corner of the aquarium. This will provide companionship for the joey.

8. Place the small fleece blankets in the remaining corners of the tank, giving the joey plenty of areas to nestle.

9. Test the incubator before placing the joey in the tank. The temperature must reach no higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 percent humidity.

10. Wrap the joey in a small fleece blanket and place it gently inside the incubator. Drape a towel over the lid to keep cold drafts out.

Feeding

1. Mix together the unflavored Pedialyte, apple juice, Gliderade, milk powder and dry baby cereal together until smooth for newborn joeys.

2. Increase the amount of baby cereal as the joey grows older. Use 1½ tsp. cereal at 2 to 4 weeks old, 2 tsp. at 4 to 6 weeks and 1 tbsp. at 6 to 8 weeks.

3. Wrap the joey loosely in a small fleece blanket with just its head uncovered.

4. Fill the syringe with the formula and dispense a small drop onto the joey's mouth, allowing it to lap it up with its tongue. Do not put the end of the syringe into the joey's mouth. Repeat this until the joey is full.

5. Rub the moistened Q-tip over the joey's cloaca to encourage urination and defecation. The cloaca is the opening from which the joey urinates and defecates.

6. Use the baby wipes to remove any formula from around the joey's mouth and chin.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid stuffed animals with removable eyes and loose threads for the joey's safety.

References

• Suz's Sugar Gliders: Hand Raising a Joey