This sugar glider care guide is designed to help you understand the needs of Petaurus breviceps, a nocturnal marsupial from Australia and New Guinea. With a lifespan of 10 to 12 years and a fascinating gliding ability, sugar gliders can make excellent companions for dedicated owners who are ready to meet their unique requirements.
General information
- Common name: Sugar glider
- Scientific name: Petaurus breviceps
- Family: Marsupial
- Weight: 90 to 150 g
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Physical characteristics
- Large eyes, soft fur
- Patagium: a gliding membrane between front and hind limbs
- Can glide up to 50 meters
Behavior and socialization
- Nocturnal: sleeps during the day, active at night
- Needs at least 2 hours of interaction per day
- Enjoys sleeping in small pouches, which can help with bonding
- Loyal to their primary caregiver but wary of strangers
- Territorial disputes can occur in small enclosures, especially between dominant males
💡 Tip: Introduce them to multiple people early on to reduce fear and aggression.
Habitat and enclosure setup
- Requires a large space — ideally, a full room with trees or climbing structures
- If using a cage, choose a spacious model with vertical space
- Recommended setup includes:
- Hanging pouches or bird-style nest boxes (no fibrous fabrics)
- Branches, platforms, and bird-safe toys
- A large, silent exercise wheel
- Recycled paper bedding
Balanced diet
Poor diet is the main cause of illness in sugar gliders. They require:
- 50% Leadbeater’s mix
- 50% insectivore or carnivore pellets
Fruits and vegetables should be given in small amounts. Avoid diets based solely on fruit — they can lead to calcium and protein deficiencies, causing osteoporosis or dental disease.
🦗 Insects like crickets or mealworms can be offered weekly. Only buy them from pet stores — wild insects may contain pesticides.
🍯 Leadbeater’s mix recipe (3-day batch):
- Mix 150 ml hot water with 150 ml honey
- In a second bowl, mash 1 hard-boiled egg, add 25 g high-protein baby cereal, and 1 tsp vitamin/mineral supplement
- Combine both mixtures and stir
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in portions
Recommended brands:
- Mazuri® Insectivore Diet
- ZuPreem® Insectivore Diet
- High-quality cat food (for carnivore mix)
Treats should make up no more than 5% of the daily intake (e.g., mealworms, lean meat, small fruit portions).
Reproduction and anatomy
- Sexual maturity: females 8–12 months, males 12–15 months
- Male penis is bifid, with two heads for dual vaginal tracts
- Estrous cycle: ~29 days
- Gestation: 15–17 days
- Newborns weigh just 0.2 g, and crawl to the pouch to nurse
- Pouch stay: 70–74 days
- Fully weaned by 110–120 days
- Independence around 7 to 10 months
- Males have a forehead scent gland for group marking
With proper nutrition, mental stimulation, and attentive daily care, sugar gliders can become truly rewarding companions for exotic animal enthusiasts.
