Kit's checklist with questions - a bit long...

[kit.h]

Right. This is pasted from my own checklist re sugar gliders so it's not all questions - these are in bold. Most important one is about Mike's allergies as if allergic to sugar gliders it's a complete no go. Is there anyone in Cambridge with sugar gliders we can meet?

Anything we've failed to consider, please let us know!



CHECKLIST

CARERS:    Fine - at least one of us will ALWAYS be around to play. We also have a lodger who wants to be a zoo keeper and very good with animals so he can babysit if we go off on hols. Will they bond happily with three people? Lodger will be more like godparent than primary carer and obviously we won’t go away in the first few months. Please advise – will two and a half carers confuse?

   Equally partner is allergic to cats and dogs (not seriously, but enough to deter us from having them as pets). Sugar gliders will obviously have different allergens in their fur and skin, but given that he’s atopic in general, is anyone here in the Cambridge area so we can meet some sugar gliders and check?

VET:    Have one nearby - can spay. (don't want to breed, as it seems like a lot of heartache and we only want them for pets!)

LOCATION:   Under stairs. Can close doors both doors at top/bottom of stairs if too noisy for us at night. How much noise is too much for them during the day? Mike works from home and sometimes has music on in an adjoining room.

PLAYROOM:      Tent until we work out where’s best.

CAGE:   Help! Where should we get this from? We know what sort of thing we need; pvc covered wire/mesh, no larger than 1.5cm gaps. Can have up to seven foot height – my issue with that is how easy would it be able to take outside and scrub. Would seven foot high be awkwardly large to get outside and clean? Mike says he can do it but I have a feeling this is the sort of thing I’ll end up doing while he plays with them, lol.

CAGE FURNITURE:   Gah! Lots of things. Water bottle, toys, pouches, sleeping pouch or little lined bird box/hutchy thing? Also get a warm up pouch in case they get cold and lethargic – don’t want to end up in this situation panicking and wishing we’d bought one.

DIET:   Fruit: papaya, pomegranate, sweet potato, butternut squash carrot – will work out ratios. Have a blue berry bush so for at least some of the year they can have those for free… I knew there was a reason I bought that bush. Also, protein source? Prob gut loaded bugs – will have to check ratios if using this instead of kitty biscuits as Marie does. Can we store these? Or do we have to get new every week? If so, where can we get them from locally – must check.

PROVISIONS:   Disinfectant (F10), red light (can use a little bike light? It’s an LED so it doesn’t get hot and will be easily portable for tent). Get a heater as we don’t keep the house all that warm. UV light for the daytime? It’s dim(ish) where they’ll be going but not dark.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: I’m 26 and probably will want to start trying for children when I’m 32 (yes, I do overplan). They’ll be six. Has anyone had children while they had sugar gliders? Was it doable or disastrous? I’m aware the kids should be kept away from the gliders, so I’m more concerned about the organisation/time issues. If anyone has personal experience, please advise.

Thanks for any help!

Kit + Mike

[Marie]

Crikey!  It's good to see you're taking it seriously!  There are so many people that buy the animals and THEN ask "so what do I feed them?" it's ridiculous and completely irresponsible.

First off, yes they can bond with 3 people, don't overdo it at the start though because they will be a little wary of you all.  It does depend on the individual glider and how much they have been socialised, but it *should* be fine.

There are a few people that have reported allergies to gliders, they are very different to cats and dogs but meeting someone else's gliders would be helpful to you.  I got my first suggies from Cambridge but they no longer keep them.  Hopefully someone else closer will be able to help.

I would say that loud music in the same room is a no no, they have sensitive hearing being nocturnal.  A lot of people have gliders in their front room, so day to day traffic isn't a problem.

Ebay is a great place for cages, or you could make your own to your own specifications.  7ft high would be wonderful for the gliders.

You can provide either a nest box or a pouch, or both.  The nest box could get stinky because they'll sit on top of it and probably urinate!  A pouch is warmer and more comfortable and easy as you can take it out and wash it, but they also come with their own problems! You must keep an eye out for loose threads or holes as gliders can and do get caught up!

A red light I would recommend the type you buy for reptiles.

A UV light is a good idea if they're living in a dim area.  They are nocturnal but they still need a day/night cycle.

Lou has kids n gliders, shouldn't be a problem just make sure they cannot tamper with the cage locks and let them out.   

[kit.h]

Thanks so much for the reply Marie! Really helpful. We still have an issue on finding some local suggies to meet to check Mike's not allergic, but apart from that, I think we're good.

Any other questions in the interim, will obviously post again (although proabably not so exhaustively next time...! ).

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Kit + Mike