In this comprehensive guide, we will compare sugar gliders with seven common exotic pets: bush babies, chinchillas, ferrets, hamsters, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and flying squirrels.Contents1.
Sugar glider Vs bush babyEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitFun and originalCostSugar glider VS bushbaby: Which is the better choice?2.
Sugar glider Vs chinchillaEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and originalCostSugar Glider VS chinchilla: Which is the better choice?3.
Sugar glider Vs ferretEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and originalCostSugar glider VS ferret: Which is the better choice?4.
Sugar glider VS hamsterEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and OriginalCostSugar glider VS hamster: Which is the better choice?5.
Sugar glider Vs hedgehogEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and originalCostSugar glider VS hedgehog: Which is the better choice?6.
Sugar glider Vs guinea pigEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and originalCostSugar glider VS guinea pig: Which is the better choice?7.
Sugar glider Vs flying squirrelEasiness to care forNoise levelsLifespanHealth issuesHow much space is required?Food habitsFun and originalCostSugar glider VS flying squirrel: Which is the better choice?Wrapping Up1.
Sugar glider Vs bush babyEasiness to care forSince the availability for buying a bush baby is often difficult and problematic, these tiny monkeys are difficult to manage, and certainly not for kids.
Compared to sugar gliders, a bush baby cannot be tamed easily.
Both can be kept as single pets however the SG is better off with a buddy.
A sugar glider makes two or three types of noises ranging from barking, chirping, or crabbing sounds.LifespanBoth will live 10 years however a sugar glider can live up to 12 years in some cases.Health issuesIf sugar gliders are bred in poor conditions, they can pass on illnesses to their owners.
Bush babies like to urinate on their hands for better grip, and have to have a diaper at all times.How much space is required?A tall cage is needed to house sugar gliders since they like to climb and glide even inside their enclosure.
A bush baby can grow to the size of a small housecat, so they need a larger cage.
Neither should be allowed to roam around freely.Food habitThe typical diet of a bush baby is insects that are found in the African jungle but like the sap found on tree branches.
A sugar glider will also like the same kind of diet and also fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables.Fun and originalBoth are wild animals, but the sugar glider will bond easier with people.
Most people will choose the sugar glider over a bush baby since it’s smaller and cute looking.CostIf it’s not completely legal to import a bush baby into your country, it will be next to impossible to find one outside of Africa.
Sugar gliders are now more common because of breeders who raise them to sell as exotic pets.
Vet costs are a big question if your vet has never treated a sugar glider.Sugar glider VS bushbaby: Which is the better choice?In terms of care and availability, a sugar glider may well be the best choice if you are looking for an exotic pet.2.
Sugar glider Vs chinchillaEasiness to care forBoth of these exotic pets are not recommended for kids because they are both skittish and can bite if handled improperly.
They both need a lot of attention as young animals and can be raised as a single pet, however, raising two is better for their companionship.Noise levelsBoth of these animals can make barking and chirping noises, but it’s the sugar glider that makes more noise at night.
This happens especially in the early morning before sunrise.LifespanA chinchilla can live up to 20 years while the sugar glider is a maximum of 12 years.Health issuesChinchillas don’t have too many health issues but can suffer from hairballs since they have such soft hair.
Unlike sugar sliders that have shorter hair that is just as soft.How much space is required?You don’t want chinchillas or sugar gliders roaming around your home without proper supervision.
With a sugar glider, they could escape and even get lost.
A chinchilla is the size of a small cat and needs a large cage.Food habitsYou can give both of these animals dried seeds, fruits, and nuts.
Chinchillas will need hay and pellets in their diet as well.
And also salt rock or wheels to grind down their teeth.Fun and originalDespite chinchillas being soft and cuddly, their size is more like a little bunny than anything else.
They bond well, just like sugar gliders after a while.
However, chinchillas don’t train very well.CostIt’s a bit more expensive to raise chinchillas than it is for sugar gliders.
Trips to the vet can be expected more often for chinchillas as they can get sick quite easily.Sugar Glider VS chinchilla: Which is the better choice?In the race for sugar gliders Vs chinchillas, the winner here would be the sugar glider.3.
Sugar glider Vs ferretEasiness to care forThe ferret is a good pet to have as a single pet but isn’t meant for toddlers to have as pets.
They make a good pet companion if you like to bring your ferret with you.
Sugar gliders do better with a buddy.Noise levelsFerrets aren’t especially noisy and they make pleasant chattering, chirping, and something hissing sounds.
They don’t make much noise at night unless they are fighting with a buddy.
A sugar glider has tiny puppy sounds up to crabbing or hissing.LifespanSadly a ferret doesn’t live very long with only 5-10 years, but some rare cases have been recorded up to 14 years.
Sugar gliders range between 10-12 years.Health issuesFerrets have regular health issues that need a vet to check.
Just like any pet you own, you need to get them fixed when they are mature.
Sugar gliders can have bacteria problems your need to be careful when handling them.How much space is required?Ferrets are fairly long about the length of a grown cat and they need a decent-sized cage to be comfortable.
Sugar gliders also need to be kept in a large cage such as a birdcage.Food habitsYour sugar glider will be happy with little snacks that are dried fruits and nuts with thick sappy liquid as a treat.
They are obligate carnivores and very rarely eat fruits and vegetables.Fun and originalEven though a ferret sleeps a lot (just like a house cat) they can be taught tricks pretty easily.
They’re good at bonding and have a nice personality once you learn their moods.
Sugar gliders can be really feisty at times but can be taught to do tricks like jumping off things into your hands.CostThe vet cost to keep your ferret healthy is a big part of ferret expenses, from teeth cleaning to general health check-out and ferret vaccines.
All the dried nuts and fruits for a sugar glider can be expensive if you dry them yourself.Sugar glider VS ferret: Which is the better choice?In this case, the sugar glider Vs ferret comparison is not going to fare so well since they are quite different creatures.
The ferret is a good choice if you like how different they are compared to sugar gliders, but expect quite a bit of work with these hyper little critters.4.
Sugar glider VS hamsterEasiness to care forOne thing I can say for sure is that a hamster makes a great starter pet for responsible kids.
One or two are very good because they like companions, and they don’t need much attention.
If you get them when they’re young, they can be held and won’t bite as sugar gliders can.Noise levelsHamsters make a squeaky noise that can be considered their barking sound.
They seldom make much noise and that’s another reason why parents like them.
A sugar glider will make noise in its cage with others happily barking in the middle of the night.LifespanHamsters only live for about 2 years, which is a long life for them.
Sugar gliders obviously have a long shelf life and this is why they make better pets for older teens.Health issuesHamsters can get tumors and this causes them to die.
Sugar gliders stay small and age over a decade with little or no health problems.How much space is required?Hamsters can live in a small cage, while sugar gliders need a cage that is tall and spacey.
You can’t do this with a sugar glider.Food habitsThese two animals will enjoy dried seeds and nuts, but that’s the only similarity.
Don’t give hamsters dried fruits, they will prefer food pellets and chewing sticks.
A hamster has an easy diet that even kids can follow (with supervision).Fun and OriginalHamsters are simple pets to handle but at times they can be poopy, or even pea on you.
They’re fun little animals because of this, so bonding is an easy thing to achieve in a week.
You can teach them simple tricks like fetching the treat, but not more than that.
Hamster food doesn’t cost much over having a sugar glider to feed.
There’s no need to take your hamster to the vet since it seldom has problems.
Over time, your sugar glider may encounter health issues if it isn’t properly hydrated or fed.Sugar glider VS hamster: Which is the better choice?In this race between a sugar glider and a hamster, the winner is the hamster.
Simply because they’re so easy to take care of and keep happy.5.
Sugar glider Vs hedgehogEasiness to care forIf you’ve ever owned a hedgehog, you know they are feisty, pokey little animals that like being alone.
They don’t have great memories, so it takes a long time for them to know who you are.
They’re not exactly a kid’s pet but more for young teens.
Older and more experienced teens will then start to be interested in sugar gliders as they require more skills.Noise levelsHedgehogs are pretty discreet creatures but they do make noises from time to time.
If you want to hear a little animal chewing its food, a hedgehog won’t disappoint you.
They don’t often make noise aside from hissing or clicking.
They are quieter than sugar gliders all through the night.LifespanA typical hedgehog lives 2-5 years while the sugar glider lives twice as long.Health issuesHedgehogs are very hardy animals that last a decent amount of time.
They can be quirky pets because of their little spikes, but they do like bathing.
Sugar gliders don’t have many health issues except needing to be kept warm a lot.How much space is required?A hedgehog will enjoy living in a large one-level cage that you can clean easily.
They are slow enough to roam around within reason, which is something you can’t do with sugar gliders.Food habitsIt doesn’t matter what you give to a hedgehog, they’ll eat it with no complaint.
You can’t do this with sugar gliders because of their dietary needs.Fun and originalFor some reason, there is a big bonding point between hedgehogs and young teens.
Perhaps it’s all about discovery and being able to tame a spiky-looking animal.
With sugar gliders, this is more about caring and holding them instead.CostYou won’t be paying a lot for a hedgehog, they’re not considered so exotic and you’ll rarely see any vet bills.
By the time your hedgehog shows signs, it’s sick, it’s reached the end of its life.
As far as food, feeding costs are nearly nothing since they eat all sorts of scraps.Sugar glider VS hedgehog: Which is the better choice?When it comes down to simplicity for comparing a sugar glider Vs a hedgehog, the hog wins this round!6.
Sugar glider Vs guinea pigEasiness to care for A bit similar to a hamster, the guinea pig is also a great pet for kids and beginners.
These can be good with one or two, although they will thrive better with a buddy.
They don’t need much attention at all and are very docile with moderate handling.
Sugar sliders will need much more attention in comparison.Noise levelsMaking noise is natural for guinea pigs since they typically make noise for all sorts of reasons.
Most of the time, they are content to squeak with light noises throughout the day.
Sugar sliders are a bit noisier, especially at night, or if they feel anxious.LifespanGuinea pigs can live anywhere from 4-8 years, making them excellent beginner pets.
Sugar gliders can live 10 years or more.Health issuesThere aren’t many illnesses that affect the guinea pig unless you don’t feed them properly.
Sugar gliders are always jittery to dangers around them, thus they take time to get used to an owner.How much space is required?A simple cage or plastic container is good for guinea pigs, so they should have space to explore.
They do grow to the size of kittens, so they need space to move around.
You can’t do this as easily with sugar gliders.Food habitsGuinea pigs have an easy diet and they will eat lots of crunch veggies like carrots and cucumbers but will be happy with food pellets and salt wheels.
Any sugar glider will need dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in addition to insects or mealworms.Fun and originalMost young kids and first-time pocket pet owners will love the guinea pig for its easy-going personality.
They are easy to take care of, but you can’t really teach guinea pigs any tricks.
They are good at roaming around and eating snacks during the day.
Sugar gliders don’t do much until they wake up at night.CostA guinea pig a pretty cheap and doesn’t cost much to feed.
Sugar gliders can be pricy with the type of food they eat.
While sugar gliders don’t have many vet problems, they do have noise issues at night.Sugar glider VS guinea pig: Which is the better choice?Looking at the race between a sugar glider and a guinea pig, the choice is clear.
A guinea pig will be easier to take care of for beginners.7.
Sugar glider Vs flying squirrelFor an in-depth discussion on this subject, we wrote the article Sugar Glider VS Flying Squirrel – Which One Makes The Best Pet?Easiness to care forSince these two pets are so similar, they both need a lot of attention from the start.
We don’t recommend either of these for kids without supervision as they need some small pet experience beforehand.
Both of these do well with a companion buddy.Noise levelsBoth of these animals are nocturnal and will make noise at night as they keep busy in their cage.
The flying squirrel has a higher pitch squeal, so they will be quieter.LifespanThe flying squirrel does tend to live longer ranging from 10-15 years, while a sugar glider maxes out at 12 years or so.Health issuesThese little animals need to be kept warm, so constant room temperature should be comfortable for them.
They don’t have many issues but do need vets that have previous experience with sugar gliders or flying squirrels.How much space is required?Since these animals are very small, they need a cage the size of a medium birdcage.
Aside from handling and jumping from objects into your arms, they aren’t good for being on the ground.Food habitsBoth of these little critters will have a steady diet of nuts and dried fruits.
These can be tricky diets since they need insects like mealworms and other little treats that can be extra costs.Fun and originalThey both have appeal since they both look near identical to each other except when you look at the flying squirrel.
Then you can see they are very squirrel-like after seeing their tail and coloration.
Both can be taught tricks like jumping into your hands from the top of a cage and being handled.CostSince these pets are considered exotic, they can be more expensive than most pets you look after.
The first concern is finding a good vet that knows how to treat these animals.
They will need a steady supply of food that is specific to their needs as well.Sugar glider VS flying squirrel: Which is the better choice?If you want to have a little pet that is quieter at night, the flying squirrel is a better choice.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with sugar gliders as a pet for people who have experience.
As exotic pets, they can be rewarding but still, demand your full attention.
This is very rare for younger pet owners to handle.
Gliding is a form of flight that allows animals to move in the air without flapping their wings.
It typically requires a lot less energy than other forms of flying, and it’s much quieter.
Animals who glide use any number of different methods to do so: some rely on objects like trees or cliffs for lift; others make use of updrafts from the ground, and still others fly upwards by jumping up through the air.
Not all animals that glide do so in the same way.
Most examples of launchable animals fly through the air, but some just walk or jump off a perch to get into flight.
Examples of Animals that Glide
Examples of Animals that Glide
Examples of Animals that Glide
Scientific NameChaetodontidaeType of AnimalFishRangeAtlantic, Indian, and Pacific OceansDietOmnivore
Scientific NameDracoType of AnimalReptileRangeSoutheast AsiaDietCarnivore
The Draco lizard is a species of lizard that can glide from tree to tree.
This allows them to escape predators and find their food source, insects.
They are able to glide 26 feet by gliding through the air if it’s windy enough outside for this type of travel.
Scientific NameAcrobatidaeType of AnimalMammalRangeTropical rainforests and woodland areasDietOmnivore
With their pointed noses and long tails that serve as a counterbalance when gliding from tree to tree, feather-tailed possums live in the southeastern part of mainland Australia.
These animals eat leaves, fruits, flowers, and nectar; they also consume bird eggs.
Scientific NameExocoetidaeType of AnimalFishRangeAtlantic and Pacific coasts of the United StatesDietOmnivore
Gliding is a great way for fish to avoid predators and travel long distances.
The flying fish can glide up to 650 feet in a single flight by using its large pectoral fins as wings.
Flying fish can use their fins both as wings or steering flippers for flight and swimming just like a plane uses its propeller to fly through the air and swim through water.
Scientific NamePtychozoonType of AnimalReptileRangeSoutheast AsiaDietCarnivore
Flying geckos can glide up to 200 feet.
This is a distance of about 60 meters and they use this technique for escaping predators or finding food.
They do not have wings, but instead, their skin easily stretches and forms aerodynamic flaps that allow them to fly through the air like other gliders such as flying squirrels and sugar gliders.
6. Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox
6. Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox
6. Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox
Scientific NameAcerodon jubatusType of AnimalMammalRangePhilippinesDietHerbivore
A Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox can glide for about 80 meters and can fly up to 50km.
Giant golden-crowned bats are found only in one place in the Philippines and feed on the nectar and pollen of flowering trees.
7. Greater Glider
7. Greater Glider
7. Greater Glider
Scientific NamePetauroides volansType of AnimalMarsupialRangeAustraliaDietHerbivore
A greater glider can glide up to 330 feet and is one of the most graceful in the air.
They use their feet as a rudder while they are gliding through the air, which helps them steer themselves where they want to go.
Greater Gliders do not flap their arms when flying; instead, they spread out their arms and legs wide on each side and glide.
Scientific NameHemiramphidaeType of AnimalFishRangeAtlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceansDietOmnivore
A Halfbeak can glide/skip on the water for over 3 meters to avoid predators like dolphins.
A halfbeak’s gliding technique involves its pectoral fins and pelvic fins (fins on the underbelly) pushing it forward while their dorsal, anal, and caudal fins (tail fin) push against the water to bring them up.
Scientific NameRhacophorus malabaricusType of AnimalReptileRangeWestern GhatsDietCarnivore
The Malabar gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) has a flap of skin stretched between its legs and arms that allows it to glide for short distances.
The maximum horizontal glide distance covered by the species is 40 to 50 feet more than 100 times body length, while some individuals can cover about 18 meters in one leap.
Northern Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Scientific NameGlaucomys sabrinusType of AnimalRodentRangeNortheast, along the West CoastDietOmnivore
Northern flying squirrels use their large, furry tails to help them navigate through the air.
The patagium is a furry membrane that connects the wrists of northern flying squirrels all the way down to their ankles which allows them to glide.
They can also glide up, down, left, or right depending on where they need to go.
Philippine Flying Lemur
Philippine Flying Lemur
Philippine Flying Lemur
Scientific NameCynocephalus volansType of AnimalMammalRangesouthern PhilippinesDietHerbivore
The Philippine flying lemur glides through the trees between canopy levels at 230 feet far.
Their tails help them maneuver through trees and build momentum but once in the air, their bodies act as a parachute.
Read Also: Do Flying Lemur Live in Trees?
Scientific NameHolaspis guentheriType of AnimalReptileRangeWorldwideDietCarnivore
A Sawtail lizard glides through the air using a flap of skin called a patagium.
Scientific NamePropithecusType of AnimalMammalRangeMadagascarDietHerbivore
The sifaka is a lemur that lives in the dry forests of Madagascar, and they spend most of their time in trees because it helps them evade predators like cats, birds, snakes, or crocodiles which live on land below them.
The Sifakas leap from one tree to the next, they use their patagium (the furry skin) and slow down as they jump.
The patagium is stretched between all limbs of their bodies instead of just across the fingers like other lemurs.
When a sifaka jumps with its body outstretched it will land with both hands and feet on the tree trunk and is able to slow its descent by gripping with its claws.
They can glide up to 30 feet using this method of gliding between the trees, but they will only do so when in danger or if it’s necessary for them to find a new food source.
Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Scientific NameGlaucomys volansType of AnimalMammalRangethe eastern United StatesDietOmnivore
The Southern flying squirrel is able to glide for long distances.
If the weather conditions are just right, these animals can travel up to 70 meters through the air!
Once they jump they use their specialized skin flaps between their limbs and body to control how they move in mid-air so that they don’t plummet back down when they are air born.
Sugar Glider
Sugar Glider
Sugar Glider
Scientific NamePetaurus brevicepsType of AnimalMammalRangeAustraliaDietOmnivore
The Sugar glider does fall into the “Colugo” group which also includes flying lemurs that can travel very long distances when in freefall.
The patagium is the membrane that enables them to glide.
A sugar glider can glide up to 150 feet (about 45 meters).
Sugar Gliders eat fruit, insects, nectar, and sap from trees.
They are nocturnal creatures meaning they sleep during the day but wake at night time to hunt or gather food like pollen and sap from plants.
Sunda Flying Lemur
Sunda Flying Lemur
Sunda Flying Lemur
Scientific NameGaleopterus variegatusType of AnimalMammalRangeSoutheast AsiaDietHerbivore
The Sunda flying lemur can glide up to 100 meters.
This distance depends on the size of the animal and how fast it is going at takeoff, among other things.
It’s a little-known fact that animals like this cannot just spread their limbs out and fly – they actually have to launch themselves into an incline before gliding.
This helps with the launch and also increases their distance of glide because they are going into an incline instead of just flat or downhill.
Scientific NameChrysopelea paradisiType of AnimalReptileRangeSoutheast AsiaDietCarnivore
A Paradise tree snake glides by flattening out its body to make it look larger.
These snakes can glide upwards of 10 meters and are also able to steer themselves while airborne for short distances.
The flying snake can launch itself into the air using a technique called “parachuting”.
To do this, it climbs to the top of a tree and then pushes off with its head and mid-region while holding onto the branch with its tail end.
The snake will flatten out its body into a leaf-shaped parachute in order to glide away from predators.
This type of gliding works well for small snakes because they can quickly escape threats.
Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.