Do you want an exotic pet that is easy to take care of? Well, one great pet is a sugar glider. Compared to other exotic pets today, this one is easy and fun to own and care for. However, take note that a sugar glider can be cheap or expensive. Other really exotic breeds of sugar gliders will cost you a thousand dollars or even more. However, there are some that can be purchased cheaply. Know how much it is to purchase a sugar glider today.
The Cost Of A Sugar Glider
A common sugar glider ranges from $100 to $300.
This price includes a baby grey sugar glider in a traveling cage. If you purchase the sugar glider from a far location, the package may include a limited amount of food and a heat source enough to last the whole duration of the travel.
Factors That May Affect The Cost Of A Sugar Glider
Age. Older sugar gliders are commonly less desirable than young sugar gliders. This is one reason why they are priced lower as compared to their younger counterparts. Plus, older sugar gliders are harder to train. In the current market, older sugar gliders can be purchased for around $100 to $150 only.
Breed and trait. Sugar gliders that are already properly trained are a little bit more expensive than untrained ones. On the other hand, the color or breed of the sugar glider often speaks of the cost of the animal. Mosaic sugar gliders are one of the most expensive of all. In fact, they can cost as much as $3,000. There are also the white-faced sugar gliders that are priced from $300 to $600.
Breeder. The price of sugar gliders can vary from one breeder to another. Distant breeders may price their sugar gliders more because they have to cover the cost of shipping in line with the purchase.
Additional Costs Of A Sugar Glider Purchase
If it is your first time to purchase a sugar glider, you must consider giving him a companion. Sugar gliders are pets that are best kept with companions to make them happy. Purchasing a companion can already double the price of your purchase. There are even some stores that will not allow you to purchase just one sugar glider unless of course you have already one at home.
Getting your new sugar glider a cage is essential. This can be an added expense right away. A decent 30x30x60 inch cage can cost around $200 to $300. A cage that is smaller than this is not recommended for sugar gliders so don’t try to purchase a smaller cage just to save on the cost.
You also have to purchase cage accessories to keep your sugar gliders entertained. Accessories you need to purchase are food dish, pouches, water bottle, rodent wheel, random toys, and nail trimmer track. All these accessories can already cost you an extra $50 to $70. Here is a detailed list of cage accessories to purchase including prices:
- 2 inside pouches ($10 each)
- 2 bonding pouch for the outside ($10 to $15)
- water bottle ($3 to $5)
- food dish ($3 to $5)
- exercise wheel ($15)
- nail trimmer track ($10 to $15)
- cage toys ($5 to $100)
If you live in an area with a cold climate, you need to provide your sugar gliders a heat lamp or a heat rock. Sugar gliders naturally live in warm climates so you must invest on these things to keep them comfortable. These heat lamps and rocks cost $15 to $40.
Food is also an extra expense when purchasing and taking care of a sugar glider.
Prepare an extra $50 to $200 if you are considering neutering your sugar gliders.
Vet expenses are also extra when owning a sugar glider. This can cost up to $1,000. However, this is something you usually prepare your finances for in cases when your sugar glider happens to be ill in the long run.
The Initial Cost Of Owning A Sugar Glider
When purchasing a sugar glider, it is important that not only the cost of each sugar glider is considered. Let’s calculate the initial cost of owning a sugar glider here:
|
Items |
Price |
Total |
| Sugar glider (2) | $250 to $6,000 | |
|
$125 to $300 | |
|
$300 to $600 | |
|
$400 to $700 | |
|
$1,500 to $2,500 | |
|
$2,000 to $3,000 | |
| Cage | $200 to $300 | $200 to $300 |
| Cage accessories | $70 | $70 |
| Food (to last a month) | $50 | $50 |
| Vet | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Total Initial Cost | $1,570 at least |
Let’s see the detail of the food expenses to last a month for two sugar gliders:
- 6 eggs ($.99)
- honey ($2.87)
- apple juice ($2.29)
- baby juice with yogurt ($2.79)
- vitamin supplement ($14.99)
- calcium supplement ($8.49)
- chicken baby food-Heinz, Beechnut or Gerber ($1.98)
- wheat germ ($2.69)
- dry baby cereal ($2.99)
- frozen organic veggies ($3)
- mixed refrigerated fruit containers ($3)
- meal worms ($2)
It must be noted that the total food expenses is for a month only. Sugar gliders can last up to 15 years or even more in your care. Hence, make sure you are prepared with the monthly food expenses in line with owning sugar gliders.
Tips Before You Decide To Own A Sugar Glider
Sugar gliders are no ordinary pets. Hence, make sure that you are prepared in welcoming sugar gliders at home. Study and learn the proper sugar glider care, nutrition, handling, and training of the animal.
Make sure you purchase your sugar gliders from USDA-licensed breeders so as to ensure that the health and safety of these pets are at their very best. Ask for the federal USDA license of the breeder. Some reputable breeders will even give you a health guarantee for your purchase. This is a written health guarantee that usually replaces the sugar glider for free if the animal dies for any reason within two to three days. It also covers a reduced cost replacement period for one to two weeks.
The USDA suggests you to get a sugar glider from a breeder who will offer you after-sale education program to you as the owner. This includes written materials and even instructional videos for the proper care of sugar gliders. Hence, one way to screen breeders is asking what kind of support they offer after the sale.
You may consider purchasing sugar gliders online. However, research about an online breeder carefully first to ensure that you are not dealing with masquerade breeders.
Adopt homeless sugar gliders instead of buying one. Adoption costs are usually cheaper as compared to a purchase.
As much as possible, consider purchasing the sugar glider in person so you can hold the animal. This will help you determine how tame, friendly, and affectionate the sugar glider is. A reputable breeder will even be proud to demonstrate to you how obedient the sugar glider in question is.
Take note that a healthy sugar glider has no offensive smell.
Purchase a sugar glider at the right age. You must not buy one that is too young or too old than seven to 12 weeks. It may make it more difficult for you to bond with the sugar glider if the animal is any older.
If you don’t want a litter of one to three baby sugar gliders three to four times a year, make sure that you do not allow a male and female sugar glider in one cage. Sugar glider breeding happens constantly in the lives of these animals.