Despite what you might see on TV, breads and cereals aren't the only foods sugar gliders can eat. They can also eat fruits, vegetables, insects and other treats.
They're omnivores, so they need a good mix of different types of foods. Fruits are a great choice, as are vegetables like spinach. What Do Sugar Gliders Eat In The Wild?
Fruit Pits
Fruit pits can be a bit tricky to figure out, but they are generally safe for your glider to consume as long as the pit is removed first. Freestone plums have pits that can easily be pulled away from the flesh of the fruit, while clingstone plums have pits that are more difficult to remove.
You should also remember that plums are high in sugar and phosphorus, so it is important to keep track of your suggie’s overall calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Another fruit that sugar gliders can safely eat is mango, but they should not be fed dried mango as it is much more calorie-dense and higher in sugar than fresh.
Gliders are opportunistic omnivores, so they will eat a variety of different fruits that grow naturally in their habitat. Some of the most common fruits include bananas, oranges, kiwi and papayas. Be sure to wash your glider’s food well before giving them any fruit.
Nuts
A lot of people believe that nuts aren't good for sugar gliders because they have a high amount of fat. However, there are many other seeds and fruits that can be eaten by your sugar glider.
They are a great source of protein, healthy fats, fiber and vitamins. Make sure that you only give your sugar glider these foods in small amounts to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need.
Nuts are also full of antioxidants and phytochemicals that can help keep your glider in tip-top shape! They can even help reduce your glider's cholesterol levels!
Studies have shown that nut consumption has a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, visceral adiposity and the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, they can help improve endothelial function and vascular reactivity. This is why they are considered one of the best foods to add to your diet.
Seeds
A seed is a mature ovule that contains an embryo or miniature plant, food reserves and a protective coating. They are an essential part of the life cycle of any plant and they also fulfill other functions like food, spices, beverages and even industrial products.
Sugar gliders can eat seeds from time to time but they should not be eaten in large amounts. They should have a variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs.
They should also be fed a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. Fruits and vegetables can be a great source of calcium, protein, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.
Good nightly choices include collard greens, green beans, kale and cucumber. They can also be given a few slices of watermelon and pineapple.
Live Insects
In the wild, sugar gliders consume carbohydrate-rich sap and gums from eucalyptus and acacia trees. They also eat a wide variety of insects and arachnids.
Gliders have specialized lower incisors for chewing and gouging into bark, a lengthened fourth digit on the manus for extracting insects and a large cecum presumably for the microbial fermentation of complex polysaccharides in gums.
They extract nutrients from the hemolymph and soft tissues of insects and discard the hard exoskeleton.
In captivity, gliders are fed a diet that is similar to what they would find in the wild. This may include commercial pellets, nectar supplements and live insects gut-loaded with extra calcium. please visit here sugarglider.website for more information.