This IS The Fun Part!: Niblet - The Sugar Glider and More to Celebrate

The neat little guy seen here is Niblet. He is the sugar glider that owns me. A few folks have asked me to give a little info on my Niblet addiction - so here we go!

Sugar gliders are marsupials - just like kangaroos. After giving birth, the tiny babies make their way into mom's pouch and stay in there as they grow. They usually have two at a time. And the moms are really protective.

Sugar gliders get the sugar part of their name from some of the foods they eat. They are big on sweet fruits, berries, nuts, eucalyptus leaves, honey, bugs, worms and small rodents. Because they are so small, feeding them in captivity is a little hard. You have to be careful that whatever you give them isn't loaded with chemicals or doused with pesticides, etc. What you're trying for is food as natural as you can get. They are also very sensitive to light. Play time is at night . . . so be prepared to play in the evenings, in a dimly lit room. If you have bonded well with your little bugger you don't need to worry about him or her running off.

I've spent many evenings on the couch with Niblet running all over me. He climbs up the drapes, glides onto my shoulder or head - and then starts again. His little nails are like needles - so climbing up the faux brick wall in the living room is no problem at all. Once again, he glides down, always landing on or near me.

Here's where they get the glider part of their name! There is a flap of skin on each side that goes from ankle to wrist. When they leap from a tree, they spread out (just like a flying squirrel) and glide to the destination of choice!

As for personality - these little fuzz-butts are very affectionate. As a matter of fact, they are known to actually die of loneliness if not given constant attention. Unless you are prepared to spend several hours each day truly wearing a sugar glider on your body - do not get one for a pet. When they play, they are very cat-like, attacking feathers, etc. They love to snuggle inside your clothes - true little pocket pets!

I think one of the reasons you frequently see classified ads for sugar gliders with toys, food and cages are because new owners are finding out just how time consuming they really are. Between play-time, snuggle-time, fresh food preparation and cage cleaning . . . that is a pretty big chunk of time each day. Cage cleaning is necessary because so far, litter training hasn't been successful with sugar gliders. Which also means that, yes, they will also 'go' on you if they feel the urge!

Here are a few more pictures of some sugar gliders . . . . . . . The first picture gives you some idea of the size - this one is full grown! Next is another shot of one gliding. The third one looks like he's eating some type of berry (check out that long tail - used as a rudder when gliding). And finally dining on Niblet's favorite - WORMS!! Yes, they have fingers and thumbs and grasp their food or items they want to hold (like your hair).

These can really be great pets - but do your research first. Oh - another note - they are usually 'one-person' pets. Niblet will let me do just about anything with him, but my husband can't hold him without getting bitten!

More Strange Reasons to Celebrate!!