How to Introduce Sugar Gliders to Each Other (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Need tips on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other?

Since these unique pets do best in pairs, you’ll definitely want more than one. 

Unless you adopt them together, they’ll need a proper introduction.

We’ll walk you through the steps below!

You may also like: Sugar Glider Care

How to Introduce Sugar Gliders to Each Other

If you’re a sugar glider parent, you know that they live happier in pairs.

In fact, many sugar glider breeders ONLY sell them in twos.

The only exception is when you’re buying one for your friend at home.

I love my sugar gliders; they’re easier maintenance than most pets and they’re adorable too.

But our journey hasn’t been an easy one.

When I first bought my first pair, things went well for a while, but one of them developed some complications and passed away.

I was worried about the mental health of my other sugar glider, and I quickly resorted to getting a partner for her

My main concern was how the other sugar gliders would behave towards the new one.

It was easy for my first two sugar gliders to bond because they grew up together (and might have been sisters).

Of course, I did all of the research before adopting a new glider, and I’ll share everything I learned with you below to save you some time!

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: Do Sugar Gliders Carry Diseases?

Simple Steps to Successfully Sugar Gliders to Each Other 

These steps will help you slowly introduce your sugar glider to a new glider while avoiding any aggression.

Step 1: Set Up a Neutral Space 

Setup a neutral space for your sugar glider and her new friend (you can use a tabletop) and place them with their blankets.

Step 2: Introduce Them to Each Other’s Scent. 

Before you even think of physically placing the two sugar gliders together, allow them to familiarize themselves with the scent of each other

You can do this by using their blankets.

When your sugar gliders are still in their pouches, take their blankets and rub each one of them with the other one’s blanket.

Rub them carefully and cover all the body parts, including their heads, to ensure the scent is transferred.

ALSO READ: Why Does My Sugar Smell Bad?

Step 3: Let Your Old Glider Smell the New Glider’s Tail

After you’ve allowed them to get used to each other’s scent, it’s time to proceed to the next step.

Take the new glider’s tail and let your glider smell it. Don’t fall into the temptation of letting them meet face to face yet.

Observe the reaction of your sugar glider to the tail of the new glider. If there is no biting or grabbing, then you’re off to a good start.

Swap and let the new glider smell your old sugar glider’s tail.

ALSO CHECK: Sugar Glider Grooming

Step 4: Allow a Face to Face Meeting

I was both excited and scared for this step because my sugar glider can be a little entitled, and I didn’t know what her reaction would be.

Of course, this step is best done if there was no sign of aggression in the previous step.

Open the pouches slightly and let them meet each other face to face while they’re still on their pouches.

Don’t freak out if there is a little screaming or grabbing; it’s their unique way of communicating. However, don’t allow any physical interaction yet.

If there is any biting, separate the sugar gliders immediately.

Be patient with this step. Here are some things that may happen:

• Ignoring or sniffing each other. This means you’re on the clear, and they’re okay with each other.
• Hand swiping or Lunging. In this case, pull them from each other and try some other time.
• One lunge and curls into a ball. If this happens, separate them immediately.
• Some sugar gliders will be scared for introductions. In this case, just separate them and do it in bits until they’re comfortable.

For gliders who are five months old and below, you can place them in one cage but in their pouches.

The younger ones almost always resolve their issues over the night.

Observe how they behave in the evening after they wake up.

But if your sugar gliders are older than five months, separate them from each other at any sign of aggression and start the introduction process from step one again the following day.

If one glider enters the other glider’s pouch and there is no screaming, it’s a sign they’re starting to like each other.

Yet, still hang both pouches on the cage so that if they have any misunderstandings between them at night, each of them will have a place to sleep.

Low chirping, dancing, and sniffing are also okay. Look out for any fighting or chasing.

The video below is also a great resource for how to introduce sugar gliders to each other:

Frequently Asked Questions 

Let’s go over some frequently asked questions about introducing gliders to each other. 

Do Sugar Gliders Fight Each Other? 

Like is the case with other pets, intact sugar gliders males are aggressive when it comes to protecting their territories

Many males will fight unless they grew up together. But if you put a female with a male, they’re likely to get comfortable and breed.

However, neutered males have the same scent as female ones, so there is likely to be limited to no aggression.

How Many Sugar Gliders Can Live Together?

According to VCA Animal Hospital, sugar gliders are very social animals and can live in groups of 6 to 10.

For the sake of their mental health, they shouldn’t be kept as single animals.

How Do I Socialize My Sugar Glider? 

You just brought your sugar glider home, and all you know is that you can’t wait to become buddies and hang out.

Besides, isn’t it the whole point of getting a pet?

These steps from the Sugar Glider Slave will help you bond with your glider.

Remember, love, patience, and time are the key factors to keep in mind while bonding with your glider.

Can You Put 2 Sugar Gliders in the Same Bonding Pouch? 

According to several sugar glider parents from Reddit, it’s okay to put your sugar gliders in the same pouch if they’re fond of each other.

But if you’re just introducing them to each other, allow them time to get used to each other before putting them in the same pouch.

Introducing Sugar Gliders to Each Other is Easy!

Sugar gliders are social beings, and for the sake of their mental health and happiness, it’s best to keep them in pairs.

But how do you introduce them to each other if they haven’t met before?

By doing it in small bits and using their reaction as a cue as to whether to go to the next step or not.

I hope you learned a thing or two from my blog post on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other.

Do you have any other tips on how to introduce sugar gliders to each other? Share below!

Sylvia K

Sylvia is passionate about sugar gliders and guinea pigs!