The flying squirrel, also known as the Sugar glider, is a small, sterile animal native to Australia and New Guinea. An adult flying squirrel weighs just 100-200 grams, but is said to have the intelligence of a two-year-old child. In Lithuania, these cute little creatures are increasingly being chosen as pets: they are easy to tame and become very attached to their owners.
The males are usually larger than the females, measuring 24-30 cm from nose to tip of tail. The coat is thick and soft and can be of various shades (most common colours – white, yellowish, black with a stripe on the back, brown). The eyes of flying squirrels are very large and are adapted to see in the dark. The ears swivel in all directions – this makes it easier to detect prey.
Character
Squirrel flycatchers are very social pets, each with an individual character. These animals are great acrobats, able to literally run across the room and land on their owner’s hand: if taught this command, the squirrel will always land on your hand as soon as you gesture. Squirrel flyers are nocturnal and therefore most active at night: if you want complete peace and quiet during the darkest hours of the day, this animal will not be the best choice.
Sugar gliders are not very quiet.Guineafowl: these cute creatures make all sorts of sounds, and can even mimic a dog’s bark! During the day, the flying squirrel is mostly just resting, so it is important to provide it with a sufficiently quiet area. It is important to be gentle with these pets – the sugar glider can use not only its sharp claws but also its teeth to defend itself.
If you are worried that a flying squirrel might get bored at home, you might consider getting not one but two of these pets. If laIf you are going to keep one flying squirrel, you will need to ensure that your pet gets at least 1-2 hours of quality attention every day. If a sugar squirrel gets bored, it may become aggressive towards humans or even start to harm itself.
Setting up the enclosure
The cage for sugar squirrels should be spacious and high enough for the pet to climb and crawl. It is recommended that the cage be equipped with a ladder on which the pet can land comfortably (large plants or tree branches are ideal for this purpose, preferably apple, pear, willow or acacia branches). It is advisable to have a hammock-type couch in the cage, as these pets are very fond of napping.
It is recommended to wash hammocks at least once a week – they may eventually develop a bad smell. The bottom of the cage should be lined with bedding, which should be changed at least once a week.
Even a very spacious cage will be too cramped for these active pets – sugar squirrels will only be comfortable if they are allowed in from time to time.wander around the house (which will also help build a stronger bond).
Squirrel flyers should not be left unattended – you might be surprised at the things they can do, and it will be really unsafe for the pet itself.
Food
In captivity, sugar squirrels feed on eucalyptus, tree sap, insects and nectar. Balancing the diet of captive flying squirrels is not very easy, so it is best to choose a dwarf squirrel food (a daily allowance of no more than one-fifth of the pet’s body weight).
This feed should make up three quarters of the total diet, with the remaining 25 % being protein food (mealworms, crickets, spiders, boiled chicken, boiled eggs). Kiwifruit, apples, pears, melons, watermelons, strawberries, grapes, avocados, cucumbers, cabbage, sweet peppers, nuts and seeds (cashews, hazelnuts, almonds or peanuts, sunflower seeds) may also be given.
Yoghurt containing no preservatives can sometimes be given. Sugar squirrels should not be given rhubarb, garlic, onions, chocolate or other foods containing added sugar or salt. It is best to feed the flying squirrel in the evening when the pet wakes up.
Water should be served in rodent drinkers or open bowls and should be changed every evening. Preferably choose easy-to-clean, hinged bowls that can be easily removed and washed.