subject: Sugar Gliders As Social Animals [print this page] Developing a sugar glider as pet is probably one of the best experience for animal enthusiasts or pet lovers. This type of animal may be considered as exotic but belong to a sociable and amazing breed which make great pets. People who are not familiar with the marsupial glider often get confused and think of it as a type of rodent. This is because the physical feature of this pet can be very similar to hamsters, gerbils, etc. But the truth is that it is more related to animals with pouches such as kangaroos, koalas, and possums. Animals that belong to the marsupial family are very affectionate probably because of the way they are nurtured and developed. In the forests of Australia, Tasmania, Bismarck or some parts of Indonesia, you will find these animals living in groups and this is the reason why it is advisable to raise or own more than one glider.
The life cycle of this type of animal is the same as any other marsupial but it is the best type that can live with humans. By developing a sugar glider as pet, you can expect to have an adorable pet and a perfect companion at the same time. You will be surprised that it can stay in your chest pockets without becoming messy. After all, these pets are comfortable with pocket-like pouches of their mothers. As soon as a female glider gives birth to an extremely immature Joey, its pouch becomes prepared for it. The young marsupial then stays inside the pouch for several weeks until it becomes ready to live on its own. They have high level of intelligence and emotions making them very affectionate to animals or people around them.
The process where they start to get attached to people or animals they see on a daily basis is called bonding. This is the best chance for owners to develop a sugar glider as pet and it is very often that this is the determining factor if you are planning to train your pet with more advanced tricks. We are not saying that other types of animals are not capable of bonding but the difference is that gliders can actually be more loyal and affectionate compared with other types of animals. With proper bonding, they will have a good memory of the appearance and even the scent of its owner. These animals would prefer to be with their owners most of the time. This means that owners are expected to allot enough time and attention for their pets. This is actually one of the important considerations before purchasing.
It is advisable to own more than one glider. In fact, a breeder will insist for you to at least get one pair of these animals especially if an owner has a busy lifestyle. This is because companionship is a basic necessity for these pets. They live in groups of 20 or more in the wild. You can imagine what would happen if a glider is left alone in captivity.
