Sugar Glider University

BML.  The three most dangerous letters to sugar gliders in North America.

Luckily, most intelligent and educated people who study sugar gliders have never heard of this mixture, which, in the most gentle terms, is to a sugar glider, a noxious, toxic substance.  Unfortunately, however, there are many people, most of whom have been misinformed from the start about sugar glider husbandry, who have not only heard of this so-called "supplement", but actually feed it to sugar gliders.

BML, which stands for "Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's", was an attempt by some people who owned sugar gliders, along with some animal nutritionists who apparently knew very little about marsupials in general, let alone sugar gliders,  to create a cheap, easy way of feeding their sugar gliders.  However well intentioned these persons were, the result has been disastrous to the sugar gliders in captivity in North America.

The mixture was very loosely based on a mixture used by rehabilitators in Australia that was based on a vitamin/mineral supplement for the Leadbeater's possum.  For a studied look into what BML actually is and why it is harmful to sugar gliders, please read our GU research on the subject.

BML is a nightmare for sugar gliders.  The first and most insidious problem with this mixture is that it should never have been labeled as a "sugar glider diet."  BML, if it were to be used as was supposedly originally intended, is only a supplement to any sugar glider diet.  It is a deadly supplement at that.

It is with sadness and disgust that we have witnessed sugar glider breeders and sugar glider pet owners feeding their gliders this mixture alone, with absolutely no diet. This is cruel.  Unfortunately, we have received over one hundred e-mails from people who have done just that, with only occasional "supplementing" of "treats" such as yogurt or a cricket or two.  These people are writing us in desperation, wondering why their sugar gliders are sick and/or dying.  Fortunately for some, once we put them on the correct path to correct sugar glider diet  and supplementation, many of the gliders are rehabilitated.  Sadly, in many cases, it is too late. 

Even if the supplement is used "as directed"--meaning, only as a vitamin supplement and not as a diet unto itself, it is still overwrought with problems.  Many of these problems are addressed in our research papers, but the anectdotal evidence of people who have contacted us is overwhelming.  Universally, gliders who are having difficulties--from malodor to canniblization to self-mutilation have two things in common--inadequate cage and/or colony size and the use of BML as a "vitamin supplement."

BML is a disaster for sugar gliders.  Perhaps, in the beginning, it was the "best" people could do for a wild, exotic animal that, by all rights, should never have been introduced to the mostly corrupt "pet industry."   BML tries to validate itself by mentioning that it was developed by "animal nutritionists," etcetera.  Considering that many zoos (whom, I might add, have nutritionists AND experts on their staff), do not practice correct sugar glider husbandry, how can  the claim of having an "animal nutritionist" validate a diet?  It does not.

BML advocates will scream that any other "diet" or "supplement" needs to be "proven."  They will scream that "studies" need to be done.  Studies will not be done.  There is no money in sugar glider research, therefore "trials" and "studies" will not be done.  Any studies that are done are, quite frankly, a waste of time.  It is not hard to figure out the basic sugar glider diet.  Research on the wild glider diet is easily available, and from that, any person of average intelligence can surmise what a sugar glider needs to eat.

In point of fact, if gliders were fed their wild diet (ie, a diet rich in fresh acacia, other browse, and insects), there would probably be no need for a supplement at all.  Unfortunately, the ability to feed a captive glider a correct diet was not taken into consideration before sugar gliders became legal to own in the United States.  For this reason, a supplement is usually needed.   We recommend The Pet Glider Complete, which has produced the healthiest gliders many veterinarians have ever seen, as well as being on the cutting edge to maintain glider health. 

It is nice that a decade ago, glider hobbyists came up with "BML" as a vitamin mixture for sugar gliders.  It may have helped, in its way.  In fact, a few people may swear by it.  It is also nice that hundreds of years ago, doctors believed in "leeching" as a remedy for ailments.  Perhaps there were a few people who swore by it.  However, we have progessed.  I doubt there are many out there who would like to reinstitute leeching because it appeared to work on a few people.

So, to those who use BML, step out of the dark ages and quit leeching your gliders.  For everyone else, remember that sugar gliders can be healthy if given an adequate habitat (gliders must be kept in colonies, in a cage at least 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet) and an adequate diet (researching and coming as close as possible to the wild sugar glider diet), supplementing with The Pet Glider Complete Multivitamin.  If you don't believe us, just try it.  Try a sensible diet along with The Pet Glider Complete for two months, and you will come to know, as we do, it's a far better alternative than leeching.