Bush baby and sugar glider are two kinds of the most popular exotic pets on the market today. They are both small, cute, and relatively easy to care for. But there are some essential differences between these two animals that prospective pet owners should be aware of before deciding. Here are the 10 most important differences between bush babies and sugar gliders.
1. Size
Bush babies are much smaller than sugar gliders. A full-grown bush baby typically weighs between 4 and 8 ounces, while a full-grown sugar glider can weigh up to 12 ounces. This difference in size is essential to consider if you have small children or other pets in the home who could accidentally hurt a smaller bush baby.
2. Lifespan
Sugar gliders have a much shorter lifespan than bush babies. Sugar gliders typically live for 5-7 years, while bush babies can live for up to 15 years. A bush baby may be better than a sugar glider if you’re looking for a long-term pet commitment.
3. Diet
Both bush babies and sugar gliders are omnivores, but their diet requirements differ. Bush babies need a diet consisting primarily of insects. At the same time, sugar gliders require a diet high in sugar content (hence their name!). This difference is essential to consider when choosing which pet is right for you, as it will affect what you need to purchase to keep your pet healthy and happy.
4. Housing
Because of their different size and diet requirements, bush babies and sugar gliders also have different housing needs. A bush baby’s cage should be at least 2 feet by 2 feet with vertical bars spaced no more than 1/2 inch apart, while a sugar glider’s cage should be at least 3 feet by 3 feet with vertical bars spaced no more than 1 inch apart.
5. Temperature
Both bush babies and sugar gliders come from warm climates and require warm temperatures to thrive. However, because sugar gliders are more active than bush babies, they need slightly higher temperatures (between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit) than bush babies (between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
6. Socialization
Both bush babies and sugar gliders are social animals that need interaction with their owners daily. Still, they differ in how much interaction they need. Bush babies typically only need about 15 minutes of interaction daily. In comparison, sugar gliders need at least 30 minutes of interaction per day.
7. Exercise
Both bush babies and sugar gliders need regular exercise, but they differ in how much exercise they need per day. Bush babies only need about 15 minutes of exercise per day. In comparison, sugar gliders need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
8. Cost
The initial cost of purchasing a bush baby is typically lower than buying a sugar glider because they are less popular pets. However, over time, the costs associated with owning a bush baby (usually cost around $1,500) will likely be higher than the costs related to owning a sugar glider (typically cost around $200-$300) because they live longer and require more expensive food (insects).
9. legality
It is legal to own a bush baby in all 50 states, but it is illegal to own a sugar glider in some states. Before deciding which pet is right for you, check your state’s laws regarding exotic pets.
10. Noise Level
Finally, these two animals also differ in terms of noise level. Bush babies are relatively quiet, while sugar gliders can be pretty vocal.
Conclusion
Bush babies and sugar gliders are both popular exotic pets. Still, there are some essential differences between them that prospective pet owners should be aware of before making a decision. After reading 10 crucial differences between bush babies and sugar gliders in the article, be sure to do your research to ensure that you select an animal as a pet that is right for you!