Sugar Gliders 101

Sugar gliders, which aren't legal to own in all areas, are omnivorous animals that come from Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. They do well when kept in pairs or groups, and some become very attached to their humans. They're playful and must have interaction; if left alone too long, sugar gliders can suffer serious depression that can actually lead to death, according to About.com.

Sugar Glider Care: Sugar gliders are clean animals, though you'll need to clip their nails frequently. They must be fed a fairly precise diet and fresh fruit and proper nutrient ratios are key, About.com reports. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals, so you'll need to keep them someplace where their nighttime activities won't wake you.

Common Health Issues: Though generally healthy and long-lived (12-14 years), sugar gliders are somewhat prone to hind leg paralysis, cataracts, blindness, and pouch problems, according to SugarGlider.com. As with any exotic pet, make sure you have a vet who's familiar with sugar gliders before you bring one home.

Training Tips: The most important thing to teach your sugar glider is to be handled well, according to PetInfo4U.com. They're not good candidates for litter-training; in fact, several owners told us that it was not uncommon for their sugar gliders to do their business while being held. However, if handled gently from a young age, most sugar gliders will learn to be a good pocket pet.

Best For: This is not a pet for small children -- they're delicate and trusting, and therefore prone to injury if a child is too rough. Additionally, they're fairly high maintenance, requiring a lot of social interaction and a specific diet, so a sugar glider owner needs to be committed, responsible and available, according to petsugargliders.com

What Sugar Glider Owners Say: Rebecca Kravets of Boca Raton, Florida, has owned three sugar gliders, and admits that she and her family were somewhat afraid of their first one because they weren't sure what he needed. He started barking at night because he was lonely. Although Kravets says they're "adorable, super soft and quirky," she admits they're not for everyone: "Sugar gliders have sharp claws that need to be trimmed every few weeks and none of mine ever liked this procedure so they would bite. They have extremely sharp little teeth and draw blood easily. They also need a lot of attention."

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