So, you want a Sugar Glider??

[Marie]

Here are a few points to think about before deciding you definately want a Sugar Glider. THIS IS NOT A CARE GUIDE - PLEASE RESEARCH FURTHER!!!!  


You’ve seen pictures of them or your friend has one and your first reaction would be “That is so cute, I want one!!” Well let me just correct you there, one glider will become very unhappy and may start to overgroom or in severe cases self mutilate, you cannot offer one glider the kind of company it really needs.

You’ve read how Gliders make wonderful, friendly, even affectionate pets, but have you read the other threads referring to them as ‘fluffy cobra’s’, have you read how these cute little animals that weigh no more than 150g strike fear into the hearts of full grown men?? Are you still going to want to love and look after an animal that crabs and lunges at you all teeth and claws when you peep into their nest box or pouch?

Housing

Gliders need a large cage, at least 4ft high by 2ft width by 2ft depth - that is the minimum requirement! They need plenty of enrichment and exercise, toys and a Wodent Wheel. For two gliders, two sleeping quarters should be available. They need to be kept between 18-30 degrees celcius and out of draughts.

Many people let their gliders play out of the cage, but to do this you have to be 100% sure they cannot escape, bearing in mind they can squeeze through a 1 inch square gap. How do you plan on getting a fluffy cobra back into the cage after playtime? They’ll urinate and poop anywhere, they’re not fussy, this includes on you, on electrical equipment and on your bed or sofa. They have no control over this so if you’re not poop tolerant don’t even consider this as the ideal pet for you!!!

Diet

Sugar Gliders are exotic pets and they need an exotic diet. Diet is a much debated topic often causing heated arguments between friends and strangers alike. One thing you will notice is that the UK and the US will give you VERY different recommendations. Whilst in the US they feed a Leadbeaters modification, in the UK many people have tried and dismissed this as a suitable diet. But they’re your gliders, so it’s your decision, just bear in mind make the wrong decision and your glider’s health is at risk!!

A healthy diet should contain:
Various fruits (and veg if your gliders will eat them)
A protein source
A calcium source
A staple diet
Fresh water available at all times

The supplementation and enrichment part of the diet should contain nectar drinks, bee pollen and acacia gum as well as a general all round vitamin powder.

To breed or not to breed?

Gliders are not an easy way to make fast money! The diet is complicated and they are sensitive animals. A change in the environment (amongst other things) can cause a pregnant mother to reject, kill and/or cannibalise her young. It’s not pleasant finding a little half eaten body that has been thrown out of the nest. But what would you do if the youngster was still alive? Would you have the time and energy to hand rear a joey, bearing in mind a new out of pouch joey needs feeding every 2 hours, and the first few feeds can take upto an hour?

How would you find good homes for the young or would you just put them in an unregulated classified section?

Would you have time to handle the young every night - even when mum and dad are very protective of their baby? Handling is very important to ensure the joey will grow up to be a good pet and not a fluffy cobra!

Responsible people will have either a same sex pair or have their male neutered.

General Health

The main problem we see with gliders is a condition called Hind Leg Paralysis, it is caused mainly by calcium deficiency. It’s very nasty, and if not caught soon enough can be fatal.

Other problems in gliders include, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and blockages, tooth abssess (NOT Lumpy Jaw), and constipation.  How's your vet with Sugar Gliders?  Have they ever heard of them even??

© Shropshire Exotics 01/01/07

[Marie]

This isn't going to be a long waffling post, gliders NEED just a few things to make rewarding and healthy pets they are as follows (not in any particular order - they're all as important as one another):

• A large cage - 4ftx2ftx2ft at least
• A well balanced diet, if you can't be bothered with the hassle then maybe a glider isn't for you
• A companion, gliders are social animals and should NOT be kept alone, if you cannot afford two then save up until you can!
• Access to clean, fresh water at all times
• A safe environment in which to live - gliders are expert escape artists, bear this in mind when choosing a cage
• A vet that is experienced (or at least willing to learn about gliders)
• Warmth, away from draughts and dampness
• Protection from other household pets

These are not really negotiable. The occasional glider (usually one that has been alone for too long) will not want a cage mate but this is VERY rare. 

[hday]

adding a personal experience to that

I have owned my pair for one year now (and love them too pieces!)

in that year I have had 500 pounds of vet bills
one glider with a broken leg that took 2 trips to vet to sort
same glider with broken tail which then had to be amputated
several times with an unconcious glider who I had to syringe feed nectar solution into
2 trips to the vet with an abcess!

(can I just add all of these were from poor diet prior to  me getting them - they were half bodyweight so were calcium deficient)

and gliders that will come onto me for food but technicaly still arent bonded!
and will be bitten to the point of bleeding about twice a week!

so think careful for the sake of you and your family but also of your would be pets!

[thefotokat]

This is something I wrote for my forum and wanted to share:

Gliders are easy to fall in love with. Little ears, big eyes...how can anyone resist. It's this very cuteness that's landed so many gliders on the doorsteps of our rescue homes. People see gliders and rush into buying or adopting one. Just like any other pet, there are some things to consider before bringing a glider home.

1) Commitment---You have to be 100% ready to spend the next
ten or more years making sure your gliders are happy and
healthy. No animal is disposable.
2) Time---One to two hours of out of cage playtime a night makes
for happy gliders. Sounds like fun, right? But don't forget the
daily cage cleaning and meal prep. That's about 30 minutes a
night for one cage. Then there's the weekly thorough cage and
toy cleaning. Figure on another hour, at least.
3) Money---Any pet requires routine vet visits as well as any needed
treatment for illness or injury. The cost of this care is almost
always higher for an exotic pet. (Not to mention you have to find
a vet who is experienced with gliders.) A well visit for a glider
can cost from $30-$100. Emergency treatment can run into the
hundreds. There's also the cost of food, vitamins, toys, cages,
wheels and pouches.
4) Nocturnal---Gliders wake up after dark and are ready to play.
Bells, wheels and barking are familiar noises in my house at
night.
5) Expectations---Yours, not the gliders'. Each glider has its own
special personality. Not every glider is happy being held and
cuddled. You have to be ready to love and accept that glider for
who it is...cuddly or crabby.
6) Diet---To be healthy, gliders need a specialized diet with the
proper vitamins and calcium to phosphorus ratio. It takes some
time and energy to prepare it each night. You can't just run to
the store and get a bag of glider chow.
7) Emotional---Gliders are intelligent, inquisitive and social creatures.
They develop loving relationships with their cagemates and
humans. It's emotionally traumatic for them to be taken away
from their family...human or glider. They will grieve a loss just
as we humans do.

It takes a lot of hard work, patience and dedication to have happy and healthy gliders. It's a decision that should not be rushed into. So take your time, research and ask questions. If you choose to open your heart and home to gliders, you'll find yourself happily wrapped around their tail in no time.

[jenny g]

i found the info very heplfull and dose make you think and open ur eyes to what is ahead n to go to a good breeder

[Chiisuki]

very useful info thank you

[RazzyRampage]

Brill thread! Thank you :]

[mk]

 

[stormsma]

see, now this is the kind of stuff I came to learn about!

[petaupurrs]

some great points raised in this post thanks from a future glider keeper