Exotic Animal Formulary5

Table 7-12
Feed Estimates for Hand-Rearing Sugar Gliders. a-d,6
Age
(days)
Feed (mL/day)
Wombaroo Possum Milk Replacer
20 0.7 Formula “<0.8”
30 1.1 Formula “<0.8”
40 1.8 Formula “<0.8”
50 3 Formula “<0.8”
51-53 4 (3 mL [“<0.8”]+1 mL
[“>0.8”])
54-56 4 (2 mL [“<0.8”]+2 mL
[“>0.8”])
57-59 4 (1 mL [“<0.8”]+3 mL
[“>0.8”])
Transition from Formula “<0.8” to Formula
“>0.8”
Transition from Formula “<0.8” to Formula
“>0.8”
Transition from Formula “<0.8” to Formula
“>0.8”
60 3 Formula “>0.8”
70 4 Formula “>0.8”
80 6 Formula “>0.8”
90 7 Formula “>0.8”
100 8 Formula “>0.8”
a
Using Table 7.9, estimate the age of the sugar glider using developmental characteristics and weight
measurements. Feed the volume listed according to the estimated age of the sugar glider. In emaciated
joeys, the head and leg measurement is a more accurate method to determine age than the animal’s
weight.
b
Note that marsupial milk changes in composition and energy as the joey develops. Therefore, there are
two formulas of Wombaroo Possum Milk Replacer that are used for hand-rearing sugar gliders. Formula
“<0.8” is for younger joeys; Formula “>0.8” is for gliders out of the pouch. When a joey has fully emerged
from the pouch, it then uses Formula “>0.8” entirely.
c
Wombaroo Possum Milk Replacer “<0.8” and “>0.8” is available in the United States from the Exotic
Nutrition Co, Newport News, VA; (866) 988-0301; exoticdiet@cox.net or from Perfect Pets Inc., Belleville,
MI; (800) 366-8794; www.wombaroo.com.
d
For hand-rearing procedures, refer to Barnes 1 and Ness and Booth. 20
References
1 Barnes M. Sugar gliders. In: Gage L.J., ed. Hand-Rearing Wild and Domestic
Mammals. Ames: Iowa State Press; 2002:55–62.
2 Booth R.J. General husbandry and medical care of sugar gliders. In: Bonagura
J.D., ed. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIII: Small Animal Practice.
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