Sugar Glider
Mammal
Sugar gliders are small omnivorous marsupials whose wild diet leans heavily on insects, tree sap, and nectar, and pet gliders do best on a similarly protein-forward diet built around a commercial glider diet or nectar/protein mix. Feeder insects are a genuine, vet-recommended protein source here — not just an occasional treat — though the exact insect-to-diet ratio varies by which feeding protocol an owner follows. As with reptiles, gliders' feeder insects should be calcium-dusted, since captive gliders are prone to calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease.
What to Feed
A nectar/protein base such as HPW (High Protein Wombaroo) or a commercial pelleted omnivore glider diet is the staple. Dubia roaches are an excellent feeder — soft-bodied and easy to gut-load and dust. Mealworms are a named daily option in vet-published rations; superworms also appear, in smaller daily numbers, but are larger and higher-fat than mealworms. Waxworms are fine occasionally but fattening — not a regular staple. Never feed fireflies/lightning bugs — toxic to gliders.
Feeding Schedule
- Daily: nectar/protein base (about 1.5 tbsp HPW per one published clinic protocol) plus ~1 tbsp fruit and ~1 tbsp vegetables
- Daily insect ration: about 4–5 mealworms, or 2 superworms, or 6–8 waxworms — rotate which is offered (a single 500-count mealworm or 100-count superworm bag lasts many weeks at this rate)
- Feed in the evening — gliders are nocturnal
Note: exact insect ratio varies by protocol — a newer pelleted-diet model caps live insects at roughly 5% of diet and considers the older HPW-style daily-insect ration outdated. Both approaches are presented here rather than picking one fixed number.
Gut-Loading & Dusting
Gut-load all feeder insects before offering. Dust insects with a calcium supplement at each feeding — vets target roughly a 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio overall. A calcium-rich multivitamin/mineral supplement is commonly recommended if not already built into the base diet — calcium and protein deficiency are among the most common nutritional problems seen in pet gliders and can cause metabolic bone disease.
Common Mistakes
- Treating insects as unlimited treats — obesity is common in gliders overfed high-fat/protein treats without enough exercise
- Feeding waxworms daily instead of occasionally
- Skipping calcium dusting — under-supplementing calcium is one of the most common deficiencies seen in pet gliders
- Feeding fireflies or unscreened wild-caught insects