Sugar gliders are very social animals. It is usually recommended that sugar gliders are kept in pairs. Gliders that are lonely can over groom, or even self mutilate. Please understand that loneliness is NOT the only possible cause of a sugar glider that is self mutilating. If you ever experience a sugar glider self mutilating, get to a knowledgeable vet ASAP. Extremely lonely and depressed sugar gliders have also been known to stop eating and basically "loose the will to live". Although these are extreme cases, it is something a responsible sugar glider owner must take into consideration and be prepared for. Some sugar gliders tend to be "ok" when they are alone, but are prone to obesity and boredom. While you are a great "friend" and "playmate" for your sugar glider, you can't play, wrestle, and communicate like another sugar glider would. People are not usually nocturnal like sugar gliders. They will need someone to play and interact with in the wee hours of the morning, and a warm body to cuddle up to while they are asleep in their cage. From the lack of playing and stimulation that another sugar glider can provide, some sugar gliders may over eat and become obese. Of coarse there have been a select few cases where a sugar glider really was just fine being the only glider, but that is truly rare. Any sugar glider that is housed alone needs to be watched carefully to ensure the animals health and happiness remain intact. We do not recommend sugar gliders to be housed alone long term. Sometimes an owner may want to bond with one sugar glider, then consider another later. We do understand this process works for many new sugar glider owner. Most responsible breeders will not sell a sugar glider that is intended to be housed alone it's entire life.
