Most Filipino households grow quiet around midnight. The TV fades, tricycles stop passing, and even the neighborhood Dogs settle down. But in Denver’s home, the day is just beginning.
As the clock nears 1 AM, tiny rustles come from a fleece pouch, followed by a furry head peeking out with wide, curious eyes.
For Denver, this is the most peaceful part of his day – the moment his Sugar Gliders wake up. A small hop onto his shoulder, a gentle sniff, a tiny bark of recognition. These nocturnal Marsupials don’t give loud greetings or dramatic displays of affection. Their trust builds slowly, quietly.
And for Denver, that quiet trust is everything.
A GIFT THAT BECAME SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER
Denver didn’t grow up wanting a Sugar Glider. In 2017, his daughter surprised him with one, small enough to curl inside his hand. He thought the creature would be a cute, low-effort companion.
He quickly learned otherwise.
The first weeks were mostly observation. Sugar Gliders sleep through the day, so Denver waited until nightfall to see the little Marsupial explore the surroundings. At first, the Glider was wary, peeking from inside the pouch, ready to retreat at the slightest noise.
Then one early morning, the Glider climbed into his jacket pocket and stayed there, listening to his breathing. “That was the first time I felt chosen,” Denver says. “Sugar Gliders don’t trust easily. You earn it.”
That moment began a journey that would change his household and daily rhythm for years to come.
UNDERSTANDING A NOCTURNAL NEIGHBOR
Most Filipinos are used to Dogs greeting us in the morning or Cats lounging in the afternoon sun.
Sugar Gliders live a completely different life. Their world awakens at dusk.
They’re active, vocal, and playful from midnight until past dawn. They bark – a tiny “yip yip!” – to get attention or acknowledge familiar people. They crab, a loud rattling sound, when frightened or annoyed.
“You know you’ve earned their trust when the crabbing stops and the barking starts,” Denver explains. Sugar Gliders also glide short distances using their patagium, the membrane between their limbs. Watching them leap from shelf to shoulder is a thrill, but one that requires a controlled, Glider-safe space.
“You can’t just let them loose in a typical Filipino sala,” he says. “Too many hazards.”
A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT MOST PEOPLE DON’T EXPECT
Here in the Philippines, Sugar Gliders are sometimes bought impulsively – from mall stores, pet expos, or online sellers – because they’re cute and small. But Denver warns that they are not beginner pets.
Sugar Gliders can live 10 to 15 years. That’s longer than many Dog breeds. “This isn’t a two-year commitment. It’s a decade,” he emphasizes.
Daily routine includes the following:
- Preparing insect-based meals
- Cleaning pouches and cages
- Monitoring colony behavior
- Staying awake during their active hours
- Keeping temperatures stable despite tropical heat
Diet alone is a challenge. Sugar Gliders need the following:
- Insects (mealworms, crickets, roaches)
- Fruits and vegetables
- Vet-approved diets tailored for their species
Nuts and seeds, common in cute viral videos, shouldn’t be daily food.
“I’ve met so many owners na mali agad ang diet,” Denver says. “The animals suffer.”
PH REALITIES: HEAT, HUMIDITY, HOLIDAY NOISE
- Taking care of Sugar Gliders in the Philippines comes with unique challenges.
- Summer heat can stress them or lead to dehydration.
- High humidity during the rainy season affects their pouches and cages.
- New Year fireworks – a major Filipino tradition – can terrify them.
“Every December, I stay up with them,” Denver admits. “They panic from the noise.”
These stresses mean Gliders need calm, stable environments with someone patient enough to manage their needs year-round.
You can’t wait for an emergency. You need to know your vet ahead of time.
FINDING THE RIGHT VET CARE
Because they’re exotic animals, Sugar Gliders require vets with training in small mammals. Metro Manila has a few exotic vets, but outside NCR, access can be difficult. Many keepers travel far – sometimes hours – to get proper care.
“You can’t wait for an emergency,” Denver warns. “You need to know your vet ahead of time.”
This is one reason he strongly discourages impulse buying.
BUILDING A COLONY, ONE PERSONALITY AT A TIME
From a single Glider, Denver’s home eventually grew into a colony. Each Sugar Glider has a distinct personality.
- Some cling tightly to their humans.
- Some prefer pockets.
- Some explore boldly.
- Some are shy and need longer bonding time.
But colony life isn’t simple. Sugar Gliders are social animals, yet they don’t get along with everyone. Pairing them requires close observation.
“One wrong match and they’ll fight,” he says. “Sometimes you have to separate them for their own safety.” Managing personalities, introductions, and territory is part of long-term Glider care— another thing new keepers often overlook.
THE REWARDS OF PATIENCE
Despite the effort, Denver is the first to say it’s worth it. There’s the moment a Glider curls into your hand without hesitation. The soft grooming nibble that feels like a tiny sign of affection. The bark of recognition when you enter the room. The trust in their eyes when they settle in your pocket.
“These small things,” Denver says, “they’re huge . . . because you know the Glider feels safe.” Sugar Gliders have their own gentle ways of showing love. You just have to slow down enough to notice.
FOR ANYONE THINKING OF GETTING ONE
Denver has seen it happen too many times: Someone buys a Sugar Glider because they saw one on TikTok or at a mall shop, only to realize days later that they can’t handle the nocturnal schedule, the diet, or the long lifespan.
“Kung hindi kaya, huwag pilitin,” he says plainly. “If you’re not ready, don’t get one. It’s the animal who suffers.”
His advice:
- Research properly.
- Join responsible communities, not just seller groups.
- Understand the cost of diet and vet care.
- Accept that bonding takes time, sometimes months.
- Know that Gliders do not mix with Dogs and Cats.
- Prepare for long-term commitment.
“These aren’t decorations,” he stresses. “Sugar Gliders are living, feeling animals.”
QUIET PARTNERS IN THE NIGHT
As dawn approaches, Denver’s Sugar Gliders retreat to their pouches one by one, ready to sleep through another day filled with tricycles, barking Dogs, and all the noise of a typical Filipino household.
He watches them settle down – calm, content, trusting.
For him, these quiet hours shared with tiny nocturnal companions have become a grounding ritual. A reminder that love doesn’t always come loudly. Sometimes, it arrives softly, on small feet, in the stillness of the night.
Sugar Gliders may be little, but the responsibility they ask for – and the affection they return – are anything but.
SUGAR GLIDER BASICS
DIET
- Live insects (mealworms, crickets)
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Vet-formulated diets
- Nuts/seeds only as treats
ENVIRONMENT
- Tall cages
- Safe wheels/toys
- Clean fleece pouches
- Temperature control (24–27°C)
- Ventilated setup against Philippine humidity
LIFESPAN
10-15 years
SCHEDULE
Fully awake from12 to 5 AM.
WHY THEY DON’T MIX WITH DOGS AND CATS
Sugar Gliders are prey animals. Dogs and Cats– even the calmest ones – still have predator instincts.
A playful paw can be fatal. They must be kept:
- In separate rooms
- Behind closed doors
- With no shared playtime
