It is not acceptable to own only one sugar glider for the following reasons:
✘ because more than one is too many
✘ because only one was owned in the past and the glider was fine
✘ because more than one is too expensive
✘ because it is hard to introduce gliders together
✘ because the cage mated died and it is too much work to get another one
✔ Only in very special circumstances should a glider live alone. Owners who think a particular glider should be alone must seek advice from professional owners: experienced breeders, Sugar Glider Guardian mentors, or online forums such as GliderCentral or GliderPedia. If you require assistance immediately, please view our free Resources page and contact one of the listed professionals. You may also Contact Us.
The following Questions and Answers explore the intricate social requirements of sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps.
"Why were gliders sold individually before and by some companies now?"
Answer: Many years ago, sugar glider husbandry was not published commonly in books, available online until more recently, and educated glider communities were few and far between.
Brokers and fair/circus stand sugar glider breeders were common, reputable breeders were not as widely known. Brokers historically and presently fall short of educating new owners accurately about the needs of sugar gliders. Now, we have many resources to provide information to owners about the needs of sugar gliders. The advocates for appropriate sugar glider information now surmount the prevalent fraudulence from companies marketing gliders for profit.
"Is boredom or being alone bad?"
Answer: Sugar gliders become bored when they do not have other gliders to interact with, are left alone and do not intact with owners, are around stagnant toys and materials for a prolonged time, do not have space to exercise or their routine is monotonous enough for their physiology to degrade. Usually, boredom is from a combination of these factors or others, and it can be difficult to see until it is improved.
Boredom from lack of stimulation and/or being left in solitary confinement will impair mental function, leading to problems that cause death, including, but not limited to:
self-mutilation
repetitive motion injury
overgrooming
susceptibility to infection
anxiety disorders
eating disorders
depression disorders
aggression and heightened expression of instincts
metabolic dysfunction
intentional destruction of their habitat
"How does being alone damage health?"
Answer: Mammalian neuroplasticity decreases significantly in solitary confinement and environments lacking stimuli. When this happens, it is not possible for an individual to figure out problems in the same way, depression develops, anxiety develops, and their natural behavior breaks down. The brain and body over-react to normal stimuli causing high stress and cortisol levels which lead to adverse health reactions. Animals do not maintain normal behavior, and they may likely exhibit lapses in innate ability or desire to interact with others. For more research on this topic, check out this study on "psychological time" and how the brain shuts down in situations of boredom.
The good news is, when the individual is entered into a healthy and stimulating environment, their brain and body function will improve to normal levels over a relatively short period of time. Additionally, functions will surpass normal levels with additional challenges and play, and this leads to pleasant, friendly, and intelligent individuals.
"But they can be fine by themselves? I had one before and it was okay."
Answer: While an owner with a single glider that survived for some time alone, we know with absolute certainty sugar gliders are not meant to live by themselves.
Sugar gliders live in colonies of up to about 7 individuals in the wild, and in captivity, are always placed with other individuals for quality of life, health, and happiness. In the wild, colonies will usually start as pairs or a "trio" in the wild, with up to two dominant males and, rarely, more than one breeding female. Offspring disperse on their own after reaching sexual maturity– the colony grows, decreases size, dominant gliders breed again, and the cycle repeats. Sugar gliders are always with one or more of their kind.
If a glider survives alone for any length of time, consider the adverse emotional, mental, and physical effects of solitary living as a colony animal.
A sugar glider living alone is not ideal, resulting from improper circumstances more often than not.
No glider from a reputable breeder will be given to a home with the expectation for it to live alone.
It is very possible to introduce a single glider to a pair or larger colony.
Gliders do not evolve to survive by themselves and social behavior is both prominent and intrinsic to health. When a sugar glider bonds with a human owner, they "accept" the human into their colony. This is a contributing factor in why bonding is necessary and takes time.
These are situations when owners may have one glider living alone:
Note: many resources are available for bonding with sugar gliders and introducing them to other gliders. Visit our Resources page for a collection of free professional assistance.
There is one glider rescued from a previously solitary situation and will not accept living with other gliders under any circumstance.
Situation: The owner has tried several times to introduce the rescued glider to others properly, over a long duration of time involving pouch swapping and cage swapping, and every interaction has a poor outcome. The glider may be extremely aggressive in close proximity to other gliders, or attack fabrics/toys other gliders have scent marked. In this case, it is not safe to continue attempting introduction until interactions become safe, usually after extended time near the presence of another healthy colony. Sometimes the glider will never adapt their behavior and adjustments for its stimulation requirements must be made.
A single glider living alone for its whole life should not be adopted by an inexperienced owner. Resources and free mentors are readily available for new owners on how to bond with gliders and introduce them to others.
A household unable to keep 3 or more sugar gliders should not adopt a single glider. If the potential cage mate is rejected, he will need another glider to live with.
Situation: A cage mate passes away, leaving a glider by itself. It may not appear to accept living with other gliders under any circumstance and multiple attempts at introduction after pouch swapping or cage swapping could end poorly. This can be related to stress. After a mourning period gliders tend to accept others quickly, if not on the first introduction attempt for certain individuals. Sometimes a senior glider will die shortly after their mate(s) pass away, some do very well with new mates.
Necropsy is a good option when a glider passes away. The owner can know the reason for death and if the remaining glider is healthy.
Situation: the time period before a second glider arrives, such as when purchasing gliders from multiple sources and they will not arrive on the same day. Introductions and 30-day quarantine will take some time. Gliders being introduced may live in separate enclosures temporarily. Pouch swapping, toy and cage swapping is expected during this time.
What must happen when a glider is alone?
There must be a proper running wheel, and usually more than one. They will need varied stimulation, ideally more than less. This should include many interchangeable toys, healthy daily foraging opportunities, changing sounds or music, visual access to natural light, such as windows*. They need plenty of climbing space and play areas to keep moving around and explore, and the glider should come out for socialization with owners as much as possible.
*Please note: A colony of gliders placed beside a window was electrocuted– necropsy confirmed– when their cage conducted electricity from a lightning strike. Prolonged direct sunlight is a hazard if adequate cooling is not available. Take measures to keep your gliders safe when in proximity to windows.
The rule for sugar glider ownership? Unless the glider absolutely will not accept other sugar gliders... A sugar glider must always have at least one other glider to live with.
Neutering is important to prevent unwanted breeding. Keep in mind, two females are more likely to have aggressive hormonal interaction (fighting) than two neutered males or a female with a neutered male.