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This is the area where I tend to spoil my gliders even more than usual!  The recommended minimum cage size for Sugar Gliders is 18" deep x 30" wide x 36" tall.  In my opinion, unless your gliders are spending the majority of their awake time outside of their cage, then  the minimum standards cage size is too small.  Remember that's only my opinion, but like I said my gliders are spoiled!

 

I believe that gliders need as much "up" space as they do "open" space.  After all, they are "gliders" so if you don't plan on spending several hours a night playing with your gliders outside of their cage, please purchase as large a cage as you can accommodate.

Types of Cages

There are many styles and material types to choose from.   There is the standard affordable wire "bird cage" style, the mesh style "reptarium" and I have even seen the glass encased and ventilated "zoo" style cages.  Sizes range from your minimum cage requirements up to the larger aviary flight cages used for housing birds.

 

An important thing to remember is to stay away from any cages made of galvanized metal or bare wood.  Galvanized metal can cause urinary tract infections in gliders which can, if gone unchecked, result in death.  Bare wood is just plain unsanitary because it will soak up their urine and scenting and really start to stink up your house!  Not to mention risk causing bacterial infections and possible mold issues  

 

There are two things to remember when using the wire bird cage style, the first is make sure all doors are secure because the little buggers are crafty and smart and learn how to open doors!  The other is the bar spacing.  Spacing should be no larger than 1/2" or the glider may be able to squeeze through and escape and that makes for an entire new page of panic!

 

Many people now a days are also making their own cages.  This is good for two reasons, one because when you build your own cage, you can make it to exact dimensions of a particular space where you plan to put it and two it saves you money.  Lets face it, cages are expensive and most of us can't afford the beautiful aviary style cages we would so love to have!

 

I first chose to build my own cages.  I had a room set up with 5 home made PVC & mesh style walk-in cages.  Each cage was approx. 4' wide x 4' deep x 6' tall and my gliders loved every inch! 

 

The floor in my glider room was raised for ventilation to avoid their cages setting on the cold concrete of my basement.  Each cage floor was covered with the interlocking foam pads that you can purchase from any home improvement store such as Menards, Home Depot or Lowes.   If you choose to build a walk-in cage, NEVER put fleece on the floor.  I learned the hard way when I accidently stepped on one of my joeys that decided to crawl under the fleece and take a nap.  I am thankful that I didn't hurt her but I learned my lesson.  The foam pads work great because they not only provide a soft landing pad for those jumps from the top of the cage but they also provide and easy clean up because they are water and mold resistant!  The cages are made of 1/2" PVC pipes, connectors and a heavy duty extruded plastic mesh from an online store called Industrial Netting and held together with zip ties.  I had some left over steel grid wall panels from when I used to do art shows, so I used those for extra support on the rear of the cages but they would be just fine using all PVC and mesh. 

 

Unfortunately I had to move all of my gliders upstairs recently because I began having some serious mouse issues! To avaoid any disease They are housed in HQ flight cages now which are, of course, smaller but they are much safer now.

Another common cage type is called a reptarium.  This was originally designed for reptiles but seems to work just fine for

  gliders as long as you don't have a chewer!

 

The repts come in several different sizes from small travel size up to 6 feet tall and 29" deep/wide.  They are measured in gallons, the largest being a 260 gal. reptarium

(photo on the left)   and the next size down 175 gal. (photo on right)

 These types of cages are inexpensive but a challenge to decorate because the original cage comes with smooth black pole and no way to hang any pouches, hammock or toys!  This means people have to be very creative in finding ways to hang things.  There are many vendors in the "Glider world" that sell cage sets with pole covers complete with loops for hanging from.  Others (like myself) build their own PVC frames so that we can dictate where we put the poles for hanging and how we attach things to them.  I used to make the frames and screw little eye hooks into the PVC but I found that the eye hooks began to tarnish and rust after several cleanings so I too resorted to using the original black frame the rept came with and I made fleece pole covers with loops.

Cage Placement

Place your sugar gliders cage in a warm room that is free from drafts. Sugar gliders should not be placed directly in front of a window or in direct sunlight from windows. Indirect lighting is OK. Never place a cage in front of, over, or under a heating or AC vent. Although we do have a glider room, we raise our gliders in common areas of our home. We feel that it helps to keep them socialized and a part of our family. Sugar gliders should not be exposed to excessive loud noises, but should be comfortable with everyday sounds of life around them. Pick a location where you will be able to spend the most time with them while they are awake.