How Much Does a Sugar Glider Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

The sugar glider, a nocturnal marsupial from the southern Pacific, resembles a flying squirrel and is often kept as an exotic pet.

Who’s there by LostinTexas, on Flickr
Who’s there” (CC BY 2.0) by  LostinTexas

How much does a sugar glider cost?

The cost of a sugar glider can greatly vary depending on the gender, lineage and the breeder you’re adopting from.  Like a dog or cat, if you were to adopt, the costs can be all over the place.  A baby sugar glider, aged eight to 13 weeks old, will often cost $200 to $650.  A luxurious or pure white breeder can cost upwards of $1,500.

According to Babble.com, the average sugar glider can cost $200 to $300.

Dr. David Brust says that a baby sugar glider, between the ages of eight to 12 weeks old, should be $200 to $400.  In his guide, he also notes that these animals are some of the cheapest pets to own, often costing as little as $10 per month.

What are the extra costs?

A large cage, at least 50 to 70 inches tall and 50 inches wide, is highly recommended, but the larger it is, the better it will be.  As for the spacing, it shouldn’t be larger than one-half of an inch, because if it’s anything larger, a sugar glider can easily squeeze through.  A brand new sugar glider cage can cost $50 to $125.  For example, on Amazon.com, its best selling sugar glider cage retails for a bit less than $100.

Inside this cage should be a few toys to keep it entertained throughout the day.  This can include a suspension bridge, hideaway house or upside down swing.  Sugar glider toy packs, on Amazon, for instance, retail for about $30.  Here’s what a sugar glider cage setup can look like.

As for food, sugar gliders feed on fruits and vegetables, which need to be cut up every night to ensure it’s fresh.  They will also need a protein source, calcium supplements and a variety of insects to create a well-balanced diet.  It’s best to budget about $0.50 per day for food.  Do your own research or talk with your vet to see what kind of diet plan you should create.

Because it needs to stay warm, a heat rock or lamp is highly recommended to keep it warm.  These run about $20 to $40.

Experts highly recommend buying a sugar glider in pairs since they are very social creatures and can get lonely quite easily.

Some owners opt to neuter their sugar glider, especially if housing with other females.  The costs at a local vet to neuter a sugar glider can cost about $50 to $85.

Tips to know:

The most common color variations found includes leucistic (white with black eyes), cremino (creamy albino), white tip, white face, red-brown, platinum and a black face black beauty, according to Sugar-Gliders.com.

A sugar glider’s lifespan, when in captivity and kept healthy, can live up to 15 years.

If adopting, always adopt from a USDA licensed breeder to ensure you’re adopting from someone who’s reputable.  Even if they are USDA licensed, however, it won’t mean they are ethical and will offer a high-quality sugar glider.  Be sure to look at their breeding setup and see if you can find any reviews online to see what previous owners have said.  If at all possible, avoid adopting from a mall, expo, pet show or flea market.

Sugar gliders aren’t recommended for smaller children due to their fragile state.  Even though they may seem friendly, they can bite and can easily become injured if a child were to drop it.

Even though they seem tiny, they do make a lot of noise.  Since they sleep during the day, be prepared to hear screeching or barking noises throughout the night.

A sugar glider is commonly purchased either online via a reputable online pet store or even from a local breeder, who can often be found via Craigslist.

In some areas, you may need a permit to own one.  Refer to your local city laws to see if they are allowed.

How can I save money?

A sugar glider rescue group may exist in your area.  Just like a dog or cat, you may be able to find an older sugar glider that costs less than $100; however, if you were to find an older sugar glider, do keep in mind that some may not respond well to owner training.


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