Sugar glider advice. . . To get or not to get

[Akane]

Please visit http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php . I could fill pages with the info you need to know about gliders so I suggest researching on that forum. Especially the diet section. This site also has some info and especially a listing of the major diets http://www.sweet-sugar-gliders.com/ as well as http://www.suzsugargliders.com/ . Most well fed gliders do not smell much at all. Some uneutered males can smell especially when around females but neutering of gliders is very common these days. We bought 2 neutered males and then took in 2 neutered males and a female. Ours have no smell unless you stick your head right down in the cage. Over cleaning of the cage will make them mark it more increasing smell instead of decreasing it. Daily cleaning is a very bad idea and will make a very smelly cage. We never notice the poo. It's little dried pieces that do not smell and just fall through the wire to the cage pan where it is easily dumped out. Urine marking is where most odor comes from and again not overcleaning the cage really helps since they will not feel the need to mark. The biggest cause of their mess in our experience is the fact they scoop up gooey food (they cannot live on pellets and must have fresh food daily) with their hands, take a few bites, sling the excess off, and then bounce around the cage. The nearby walls may need protected by plastic and the bars and floor around the cage frequently need wiped down to remove the dried fruit stickiness. I would try to avoid setting them directly over carpet. Lay down plastic or cheap linoleum sheet if you only have carpet and then set the cage over that. It will save you having to shampoo your carpet at least once a month.

Gliders live up to fifteen years in captivity. Nowhere near 40. About the same as a dog.

 

[TeamChaos]

Ha ha, yes, Akane is right- I was busy thinking about the 42 teeth when I rattled that off. No, they don't live 40 years! I'm glad to hear that neutering is common now; we only had a few gliders that had to be put under for procedures and that was tricky business!


In my experience, both sexes bond equally but the key is that you have to be very patient with them. You can't think that you'll bully them into liking you or you'll just have a glider that hates you even more. Gliders do bond closely to their human though, so your time is well spent.

 

[tay_boe]

So do females have less of an odor since they don't mark their territory? And 15 years is much better than 40 I was thinking I mite have to will my poor pet to someone if I wait too long. So just how bad are the 42 teeth? Do they bite often? And is it better to have 1 or 2? I think I read somewhere it's best to have a pair but will they bond with me as easily if I have 2? I would rather start with 1.

 

[BorderKelpie]

If you get them young enough and handle them very frequently, two should bond with you. I would not get two intact males and if you are getting a pair, neuter the little guy or you will be over run with the things. Two females should get along ok. They do need to be handled a great deal to get them friendly and keep them that way, though. I had a zippered pouch for mine and carried them around with me whenever I could get away with it. Make sure you go to a reputable breeder/dealer, not a pet shop (pet shops suggies are usually a little older and not handled enough, or even handled too often and too roughly).
Definitly do your homework and decide from there. There is also a possiblity of rescue gliders, but make sure you are able to handle whatever temperment/health issue they may have.
Best wishes!

 

[TeamChaos]

Females do a urine dribble scent marking, just like males- males have the added benefit of a bald scent gland on the top of their head.
Gliders explore the world with their mouth- they are truly omnivores and will test pretty much everything with their teeth... and yes, if you make them mad, they can bite like a very' fur shark! They've also got claws they're skilled with and I'm sure you've listened to the crabbing sound they give as a warning by now. When I'd get home from work, I'd open the glider cage and they'd run out and jump on me and I'd slice fruit and snacks for them to enjoy. If I was reading or watching t.v., there were several that wanted to snuggle. I guess they kind of considered me their own tree- a walking, food bringing tree

Some liked to have their gliding membranes rubbed, others liked to be wiped with a wash rag and I wish I would have made a video of their tribe attacks on cat toys I'd toss out on the floor. I'd recommend getting more than one, gliders really can die of loneliness and sometimes the bonding goes easier if they aren't trying to relate to you as a peer.


I know this sounds like a list of why NOT to get a glider but I think anyone involved in exotics would rather people know all the less than cute details before they buy. I found gliders to be really fun and worthwhile companions. I think it makes a big difference when you're an adult choosing to get a pet that might be a little stinky, needs a special diet and could need specialized vet care- it's not the same as a kid pitching it to a parent who thinks a glider will be the same as a hamster, you know?

 

[Akane]

Females will also mark they just don't smell as bad as unneutered males. You should get 2 gliders. They are very social but if you get a male neuter it. Unneutered males may fight and while gliders only have 2 joeys at a time even if you remove the male one breeding can result in 2-3 sets of joeys. I forget what it's called but gliders can hold the fertilized eggs until the current set is weaned and then start growing the next set. That's how people get overrun.

GET YOUR GLIDERS FROM A GOOD BREEDER OR RESCUE! This is the most important piece of advise. Do not get them from a glider mill like perfect pocket pets and do not get them from a backyard breeder. Find a reputable breeder and the forum I linked can help you with that. You will have much healthier gliders(millbreeder gliders have all sorts of health issues), they will already be tame (otherwise it can take months to years to tame a glider that has not been handled enough), you will be unlikely to get bit unless you do something stupid or get the rare pushy glider, males will often already be neutered, they will already be adjusted to a good diet, and your experience with gliders overall will be much better. The upbringing of the glider has a huge impact on the outcome. Gliders with poor upbringing should be left to experienced glider owners. A glider experienced rescue (not your local shelter) can also match you up with a glider for your experience and commitment level.