Sugar Gliders

[RottyMommy]

Just wondering if anyone out there have sugar gliders. I have 2 awesome little sugar gliders. Just part of my zoo I call home.

[Mitchandozzie]

i dont have 1 but i would like too. do u need to be an experienced owner to have them? do they take alot of work?

[RottyMommy]

You dont have to be an experienced owner ot have one but you do need to do your research before you get one. You have to work with them everyday to get them used to being handled and bonding to you. They are definitely not an animal to go into lightly. And ayou should always have atleast two. They have actually been cases where they die of loneliness.

[Mitchandozzie]

k thnx 4 the info:)

[RottyMommy]

no problem any time

[MagnoliaFly]

I've read alot about sugar gliders, I was interested in getting some at one time (before I started going to college part time while working full time).

I found it interesting that you need a license to even sell or breed the little guys. I ended up deciding to probably not ever get one as there arnt many vets in the US that know how to handle sugar gliders. (Finding a good rabbit vet is hard enough!)

Can you post pictures of yours? I'd love to see.

[RottyMommy]

I guess I lucked out with vets but it just so happened when I got my chinchillas years back I had to find a vet for them and the vet I found and that was recommended by my usual vet for my dogs also handles sugar gliders. I dont have a digital camera right now me and my future mother in law pass hers back in forth when I get it back Ill get some pics of my babies. I am actually going to get my liscence so I can take rescues and get them new homes. They are wonderful animals but alot of people think because they are so small that they are just as easy to take care of as a hamster or gerbil and that is so far from the truth. So they get neglected and are unwanted.

[MagnoliaFly]

Yeah. I feel the same way about rabbits. I know where you're coming from.

I look forward to the pictures!

[luvallanimals]

i want a sugar glider too. but my dad said i can't . Plus, what really sucks is that they are illegal since i live in CA. i have researched a little bit on them, and from what i read people really like them. they seem to be really cute pets.:bouncy:

[rsbunny]

ok don't mean to sound really dumb here but what is a sugar glider? I don't think we have these hear in Aus. If we do there called something else. A description would be great or photos if you get your camera back rottymummy.

[willow15133]

Here's pictures of some. Not mine though. I did a Google search. I heard about Sugar Gliders on "Emergency Vets" on Animal Planet. Anyway, here's the pictures:

http://awesomeanimals.tripod.com/images/sugarglider.jpg

http://www.preciouspetscottage.com/SmallAnimals/Sugar%20Glider.jpg

http://www.sugargliders.net/albums/images/gliderade3_jpg.jpg

I'd also like to know a little more about Sugar Gliders. Can some post here with some info? Thanks.

Alison

[rsbunny]

thanx I think we do have something like that here...we're just not allowed to keep them as pets...same with turtles etc.

[zoya19]

I have two sugar gliders named Pedy and Bella. Both were born in January and they are unrelated. I received both of them in April.

I did lots of research before getting my sugar gliders. They are not a pet you can just stick in a cage and then forget. They need a lot of care and attention. They also have diet needs that you can't just buy premade in a petstore. I love my animals dearly but they do require a lot of work.

I carry them around in pouches during the day. I play with them at night in a 8 foot by 8 foot tent with lots of toys. This way they can climb and not get hurt. I started off in the bathroom playing with them but I always worried that they would find something to hurt themself. Then I tried to glider proof my spare room but there always seemed to be places for them to still hide. So, we bought a tent. They love it!

Sugar Gliders are marsupials (the female has a pouch) and also nocturnal (meaning sleep during the day and awake at night). They are native to Austrailia, Paupau New Guina and Tasmania.

I belong to lots of mailing lists and sugar glider boards to help me if I ever have a question. I also attended glider university online and did some summer courses.

Here is a paper I wrote concerning a person who is contemplating on purchasing a sugar glider pair, what they should know:

When you see a sugar glider, for the first time you think, how cute or how sweet, or something along that line. Most people don’t realize the work and responsibility they are taking on if they decide to purchase one or more sugar gliders.

Some things you need to consider before purchasing sugar gliders are:

Are they legal – Sugar gliders are not legal in all cities, in all provinces. You will want to find this out before purchasing a sugar glider. It is best to contact your cities bylaw office to find out.

Cost – Can I afford the price of the glider(s), along with the cage requirements, accessories, toys, food, yearly vet check ups, my time each day with them, etc.

Cage Requirements – Gliders require a good size living environment. The bar spacing on the cage needs to be small so they can’t squeeze between it. A good size bar spacing is about ½ an inch. There needs to be plenty of room for the gliders to move around. A cage that is 20x20x30 inches or bigger is an adequate size for 1 to 2 gliders. Bigger is always better in this case.

Bedding for the Cage - People recommend all different things. The safest is plain paper towels, carefresh, newspaper that is printed with vegetable oil or that is just plain newsprint or shredded aspen. Cedar shavings are toxic to many small animals and should never be used. Pine shavings there is a lot of controversy over, I would say use at your own risk. A lot of people say they are toxic like cedar and cause asthma problems in humans. You should never use corncob or walnut bedding as small animals could choke on them. As well the corncob bedding becomes moldy very fast.

Where to set up the Cage – The gliders cage should be set up in a quiet, draft free area.
You will need to set up a room for playtime with your glider as well. The room will need to be glider proofed. This is similar to baby proofing a room. Most people start out by using a bathroom or a pop up tent to start bonding with their gliders.

Toys and Accessories – You will need a minimum of 3 dishes in your cage. 1 for fresh water at all times, 1 for dry foods and another for fresh and wet foods. Some people use water bottles, provide a water dish until you know for sure your gliders are drinking out of the water bottle.
In the cage you will need ledges, perches, plastic chains, hammocks, etc. for the gliders to jump and climb on.
Sugar gliders love toys and need toys for stimulation. Some examples of toys are, feather teasers, small balls with bells in them (normally cat toys), small bird toys that have mirrors, hoops, ladders, swings, bells, etc. on them. Fisher price toys that do not have small or removable parts on them or good for play time, where you can supervise. Looking in your pet store you can normally find lots of suitable toys in the small animal or reptile section of the store.
Many gliders love wheels. When buying a wheel make sure there are no holes in the wheel for tails to get caught. Look for a solid wheel that will attach to the cage. Plastic wheels make for easy cleaning.
You will need sleeping area for your gliders in the cage. Most gliders love to sleep in pouches or nesting boxes. Pouches are normally made out of fleece or flannel. They are normally about the size of a cd case. Some are bigger of course and some are smaller. Attach these to all different places in the cage. Check the pouches regularly for loose threads and rips. You don’t want the gliders nails to get snagged. I suggest at least 3 sleeping areas per cage to give the gliders a choice. Nesting boxes are made out of wood or plastic. People use all different kinds. I use a big plastic igloo with pieces of fleece and flannel in it.

Diet – Diet is a major concern for glider owners. People all recommend different diets. You will need to do your own research on this and pick the diet you feel most comfortable using. A good link for choosing diets is: http://www.sugarglider.net/diets/diet_index.htm. This link lists approx. 14 different diets the people feed their gliders. I use the BML diet plan.

Health – Not a lot of vets deal with gliders. You should make sure you call around and find a vet that deals with exotic animals before you purchase a glider. You never know when a problem may arise and you will need a vet’s service. You should do monthly wellness checks on your glider and take your glider yearly to see the vet for a checkup. You can see how to do a wellness check by going to this link: http://www.glidersociety.com/vet/.

Handling, Bonding and Taming – When you first bring your glider home you should leave them alone and let them explore their cage. After several hours you may want to try putting your hand in and or try feeding them a treat. Keep it short for the first few days and work up to spending more time with them.
Getting the glider to know your scent is important. This will help in the bonding process. Put a piece of clothing you have been wearing for at least 4 hours into the sleeping pouch. Make sure there is no perfume or deodorant on it. You could use a piece of cloth that was in your bra even. Do this everyday so the glider will get use to your smell.
Gliders will bond well to humans when handled and tamed early in life. If they are paired they will also remain tame. Pairs of gliders still require lots of attention but don’t need as much as a glider by him/herself.
You can carry the gliders around with you when they are sleeping in their pouch. You can hang it around your neck, for example.
Some gliders will nip when they are young. It is important you don’t show any reaction to the nip. This way the nipping phase will pass quicker.

Introducing Another Glider – If your gliders weren’t kept together before you bought them you will have to be responsible for introducing them. It is best to have two separate cages for them to start. But the cages beside each other, but not close enough where they could stick a paw out and reach each other. This way they can communicate to each other but can’t touch each other. Switch sleeping pouches and other accessories back and fourth each day. This will get each glider use to the other ones smell. Slowly introduce each of them together in the playroom you have set up for them. If everything goes well after a couple days of playing together, try putting them in the same cage. If they are fighting go back to separate cages and repeat the switching of pouches for a few more days before introducing them again in the playroom.
Another consideration if you don’t want babies and you have a male and female together make sure you have your male neutered.

These are just some things to consider before purchasing sugar gliders. Remember first to do lots of research. Don’t jump into an impulse buy. Sugar gliders are some of the sweetest animals and don’t need the stress of going from home to home because the owners don’t want them or bought them on an impulse.


Sorry for such a long post, but I hope I was able to help some people. :)

Kathy

[rsbunny]

Wow they sound like a lot of hard work. I bet not everybody goes to as much trouble as you do. now I know why they are illegal as pets in australia. I feel pretty stupid about my question about what they were before seeing as how they are native to here but I don't know much about bush animals and that is all they are here. I personally think that is where they are best left. I'm not saying that you are irresponsible or anything but I bet that at least half of sugar Glider owners don't do what you do and then that's cruelty. I think that your gliders are lucky to have you as their 'mum' but after reading your post I'm kinda glad they're illegal pets in aus....please nobody come back and bite my head off...I'm not trying to upset anyone or say that anybody that has a glider is irresponsible I'm just stating my opinion cause I know that I wouldn't have the time, space, or money to go to all of that trouble and if they were legal in aus they would probably just end up in bird averies with no love and care by lots of owners.:wavey:

[LionNLamb]

Thanks Kathy, that post accually helped me alot. I wish I had seen that before making my post earlier. As much as that is a lot of the same stuff I have been seeing all over the web while researching it really helps to have it all in one nice lump.

Question: how much do they chew?

I am going to be building my own cage for the two little ones. Not counting the supply cabinet on the bottom it is going to be:
36inches deep X 48inches height X 72inches wide

So with cabinets it's 3ftX6ftX6ft ::chuckles:: I wanted to make sure they would have enough room to play.

Question: do they bond better to a single person or do they do ok bonding to two people?

But I love the tent idea for bonding/playtime. It is much easier than trying to glider proof that room. And I have a big enough tent that both my husband and I can bond with them at the same time.

Thanks again for the help Kathy.

[LionNLamb]

OH oh...I have one other question. On a monthly bases between regular vet visits, food, bedding, and other needs- how expensive are they? ( please don't count toys and cage set up items, I need to know "need costs" per month. Slurging is extra ::Smiles and rubs her hands together:: )

[Misfitz Gurl]

We have 3 female gliders we are askind 100.00 a glider may make a deal on all three but you have to pick them up we are in Ohio...

[andreaS15]

Thank you Kathy, for such a informative post!
I have always been curious about the Sugar Glider. A few years ago they were a "fad' in my area, so everyone had one. But since it was a "fad", everyone who had one, were people who shouldn't own ANY kind of pet :(

I think your post should be a "Sticky" in this forum, so all people (like me) who are curious and have questions about the Sugar Glider can read and get anwsers.

At this time i do not have the room or time for a pair. My new doggy and my gerbils take up all my play time. But once i move to a bigger place and my gerbils are gone to gerbil heaven, Sugar Gliders could be in my future. Though it'll be a tough choice for me between them, ferrets and Degus.. decisions decisions :P

Again thank you for all the information!

[yigos flower]

Thanks Kathy, that post accually helped me alot. I wish I had seen that before making my post earlier. As much as that is a lot of the same stuff I have been seeing all over the web while researching it really helps to have it all in one nice lump.

Question: how much do they chew?

I am going to be building my own cage for the two little ones. Not counting the supply cabinet on the bottom it is going to be:
36inches deep X 48inches height X 72inches wide

So with cabinets it's 3ftX6ftX6ft ::chuckles:: I wanted to make sure they would have enough room to play.

Question: do they bond better to a single person or do they do ok bonding to two people?

But I love the tent idea for bonding/playtime. It is much easier than trying to glider proof that room. And I have a big enough tent that both my husband and I can bond with them at the same time.

Thanks again for the help Kathy.





They dont chew much at all really, they arent rodents..


they HAVE to be w/ another. they just have been proven to do better. if you dont want to breed get them fixed..

[yigos flower]

OH oh...I have one other question. On a monthly bases between regular vet visits, food, bedding, and other needs- how expensive are they? ( please don't count toys and cage set up items, I need to know "need costs" per month. Slurging is extra ::Smiles and rubs her hands together:: )


they can get pricey. depending on where you live some fruits are out of season at some point, & they are more expensive then. you have to have a lot of different things. you wouldnt want to eat the same thing everyday.. they have a special mix, call the BML diet, or leadbeaters. they get a tablespoon of that & fresh fruit & veggies. everynight. as well as they need meal worms, crickets, & or pinkies. (especially females w/ joeys in the pouch.) they have been known to eat their own young if they dont have the proper protein.
my gliders dont go to the Vet often so thats not a big fee. if they act sick or something then you might want to. (my cousin is a Vet. so i dont have to do it that way. =] *lucky me* haha as for bedding, i use paper towels. i think it works best. newspaper smells BAD,pine chips,ECT. is BAD for them, & i dunno i think in my time i have found paper towels are best for sure!! =]
you do have to have a good amount of money put into your cage & toys.. the cage needs to be tall.. & big, so they have room to play together.. they need a lot of places to high & suggle in. they need things to keep them busy such as a wheel, baby keys, pacifires, ECT. they love anything SAFE! =] ;) they are a lot of fun, but you MUST DO RESEARCH!!!! they are easy & a piece of cake when you know what your doing, & then you will be a bonded glider owner before too long. & that horrible scent wont bother you anymore!! youll begin to love it! :eyebrow: haha..

[yigos flower]

I have three gliders, Wicket, Sindal(& joeys), & Endor.
they are wonderful pets. i love them very much!! i will admitt it does get hard though. you have to clean that cage EVERY week, no if &'s or buts, or it will SMELL!! i wash mine in the shower or dishwasher(mine comes apart & folds up) every other week. as well as their bedding.
for food, i feed mine a HUGE assortment of things, a bunch of fresh/frozen fruit (that i freeze) then i make baby food fruit & real fruit smoothie cubes w/ yogurt, & then sometimes they will get cottage cheese. i feed them their BML diet, & fresh & frozen veggies (i freeze) sometimes if we have mashed potatoes they will get some, but before you add anything!!! you can give them chiken, you want to stay away from beef though, it doesnt do much for them protien wise. they like juice, all kinds of bugs, but you have to be careful feeding them the bugs you just find though!!!!!!! they will eat just about anything!!
CATNIP is toxic to them (so keep them away) Also if you have a ferret, remember they will not get along! =]

i take mine everywhere w/ me. they go out to eat, to the dentist, shopping, everywhere! haha! & hardly anyone knows it!! mine are pretty well behaived! =] if there are anymore questions out there, i will be more than heppy to try to answer as best i can. (& yes, i will be selling her joeys, when weaned!)
hehe :weyes:



**sorry for so many posts!!!!!**

[bradpeterson]

hi. i have two 2 yr. old female sugar gliders. i am selling them for $500 but i can accept offers. this price includes the 2 young gliders, a wood cage, a travel fold-up cage, a wheel, a branch, a nesting box, food, etc. call me at (215) 579-8465. my e-mail is: bradonthemoon@hotmail.com i live in the philly area.

[coleenandchris]

I have a breeding pair of gliders I am trying to sell, e mail if your interested. chris_and_coleen@yahoo.com

[bradpeterson]

i have sold those two...to wonderful owners. :cry:

[kleigh426]

would anyone be interested in buying and bonding a neglected adult male glider? pet stores don't bond them, as I found out too late, and mine needs much more love and attention than I can give him. just a word of advice to future owners...PLEASE do your research, and don't be like me. :-(

[yigos flower]

I STRONGLY AGREE!!! DO THE SEARCHING! MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE IN FOR...
its like having a little tiny furry baby to take care of!!! they are NOT by any means an easy pet to own, although they become that way when you know what to do & get into the swing of things!!! but yes PLEASE< PLEASE< PLEASE!!! do the searching, go to a breeder & see them first, handle them first.. any good breeder would let you check them out before buying them! & i really do NOT believe that pet stores should be able to sell them for this VERY reason!!! *sigh* poor boy.. i would take him if you werent so far.. i have 4 of them, but its probly best you live a ways from me! =] my boyfriend would kill me hahahahaha

[sugargliderbaby]

i have done reserch on sugar gliders and soon im going to get 2 of them.i want to know if i can breed my gliders and sell the babies. can i or can i not? :)

[tigereize]

Hi sugargliderbaby!!!

[sugargliderbaby]

i need food recipies for my glider like juice cubes with yogurt and alot more that are easiy to make please help and you neomail me recipies at me e-mail adress christensa@hotmail.com please lable it sugar glider recipies or i might think it junk mail! :) also i feal pretty dumb asking this but how do you get the pics by your user name?

[babyG]

I would love to buy him But I don't have very much money on me right now so I'd have to set up a payment plan and I have no way of tranceporting it to wisconsin. If youd like to talk email me at baby_bacteria@yahoo.com Love Jenn

[glidermom]

Here's pictures of some. Not mine though. I did a Google search. I heard about Sugar Gliders on "Emergency Vets" on Animal Planet. Anyway, here's the pictures:

http://awesomeanimals.tripod.com/images/sugarglider.jpg

http://www.preciouspetscottage.com/SmallAnimals/Sugar%20Glider.jpg

http://www.sugargliders.net/albums/images/gliderade3_jpg.jpg

I'd also like to know a little more about Sugar Gliders. Can some post here with some info? Thanks.

Alison
Alison,
I am a small breeder in Estill Springs, Tn and part of sugar glider rescue. I am here to help anyone with there sugar glider. So send as many questions as u want and I promise to answer the best I can. It usually takes me and hour or so in the mornings to answer all of them but I get it done.
Donna
send e-mails to strawberries_creamm@msn.com

[Hallgal]

Hello I have to sell my gliders my only car broke down and I need the money to fix it
I have two breeder pairs each breeder pair comes with large cage and male and female I need $350 each pair or both breeder pairs for $600 please good home only I am in VA all gliders are about 15 months old thanks HallS540@aol.com
Also have chinchilla with large cage female 2 years old $300