Criptic's Page On Herps - Mammals - Sugar Gliders

diet should consist primarily of fresh fruit and vegetables, and protein. The protein content of your sugar gliders diet should equal about 25 %.

You may provide protein by a few different sources. If you provide it by meat or poultry, make sure it is lean. The meat should be cooked, but not fried. Cut it into very small pieces or mince them. Do not feed leftovers that have salt, sauces, or spices added to them. Do not use processed meats. Processed meat have added salt and preservatives. Poultry should be skinned, and boned. The skin contains too much fat for a sugar gliders diet.

If you provide protein by eggs you will want to be conscious that they are low in calcium and magnesium. They are also high in phosphorus. I would recommend not using meats or eggs as a primary source of protein. Because of the high phosphorus content, you will have to provide lots of extra calcium. Eggs should be hard boiled and chopped or mashed.

Tofu is a good source of protein. It does contain a higher amount of calcium in relation to its phosphorus content. You may also use yogurt, which has the same advantage. You may try cutting tofu into very small pieces and mixing it in with a pureed fruit you know it likes. They will usually readily accept yogurt.

You can also use live insects and vertebrates as a source of protein. In nature, sugar gliders get most of their protein from insects. They will readily accept crickets, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, mealworms, and earthworms. You may get insects from pet stores. Make sure to put them in a container which your sugar gliders can get them, but the insects can’t get out.

Do not feed more than 1 or 2 mealworms or crickets a night. Mealworms are high in fat, and lack a good calcium to phosphorus content. Do not collect insects in the wild. They may have been sprayed with pesticides or carry parasites.

Cottage cheese and yogurt are both very good sources for protein. Be cautious when feeding a lactose based food item. Sugar gliders own milk has a much lower lactose content then goat or cow milk. Cottage cheese contains much less lactose then raw milk as does yogurt.

You can also use nuts as a source of protein. Nuts have a high fat and phosphorus content. Because of this, you should strictly regulate the nuts in their diets. If giving nuts, they should be raw and unsalted. Sugar gliders will readily accept peanuts, sunflower seeds, pecans, and unsweetened coconuts. You can offer sunflower and peanuts in their shells.

Fruits and Vegetables should be thoroughly rinsed. Make sure to remover any uneaten food the following morning. This will avoid the food spoiling and attracting pests. You do not have to cut fruit into tiny bite size pieces. The glider will peel and break apart their fruits and vegetables as they want.

Do not feed dry fruit and nut mixes. These mixes contain preservatives and added salt and sugar. Sugar gliders do not like dried fruit as well as fresh fruit.

Although sugar gliders love sweet foods, never give them sugar, candy, or chocolate. Chocolate can kill a sugar glider just like it can your dog.

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