About Gliders

Sugar gliders are wonderful but not for everyone. They have personalities and needs. The have a very specific diet (see my gliders diet for an example) and large caging requirements (minimum of 2' x 2' x 3' for a pair and taller is better than wider). They need toys, a wheel and attention. Usually (not always though) bird toys are great glider toys, pouches (made of fleece) to sleep in, and a wheel to run on (I recommend the Stealth wheel, Davids wheel over all others). They are nocturnal, so if you are a light sleeper and they are in the same room they will probably keep you up. They make all sorts of noises the major ones being barking and crabbing, they bark for different reasons and some rarely bark while some bark all through the night. Crabbing is a bad noise, usually makes people jump the first time they hear it, it is to make predators go away. Some crab alot and some never crab. Generally gliders stop crabbing when they are use to you. I have had a glider that never crabbed in my care, crab at someone. They can live up to around 15 years, generally 8-12 years if well cared for but can die much earlier if not fed, caged, or taken care of properly. Feeding them a healthy diet is very important and the cage can not have rust, pvc coating, or be galvanized.  They are generally healthy animals, if taken care of properly and breed properly they can live to a ripe old age. If not taken care of properly vet bills are expensive, exotic vets are more expensive then regular vets. When you see a glider get sick it goes downhill very quickly, making it urgent to get vet attention when they show symptoms of illness. They try to hide illness as long as possible so you should be alert of weight, behavior, sleeping habits, and eating habits. Changes usually are the first sign of a sick glider. Their nails need to be clipped so they don't scratch you or get stuck on something and rip off the nail. Depressed gliders might stop eating, grooming, or over groom and even self mutilate. I cant say diet enough, if not fed properly they will ultimately get sick and die. HLP caused from lack of calcium will quickly kill a glider and a glider not fed well will not only be unhealthy and look bad but be an unhappy animal, making feeding a recognized diet so important (and not pellets).

There are bad parts and good parts to owning gliders. Whats great about them? They are curious animals, figuring out bird puzzles quickly (if the right treat is involved). Bonding to the person who cares for them. And being very loyal. Most of my gliders are fine with anyone holding them (Brie and Mist are not yet fully bonded) but everyone would rather be with me then anyone else. When scared or annoyed (even if I annoy them) they will run into my shirt or coat pocket. When I come to say hi at, they come to the front of the cage and beg to get out to play (this is not vocal) and for treats.

Things that aren't bad but you should know is that they cant really be potty trained, they usually (hasn't happened to me) wont go in your shirt or pocket but when you pull them out (just like when we wake up) they will need to go, you can avoid be "gone on" by setting them down when they just wake up and waiting for them, much like what you do with a bird. When they are in the cage all is free ground though, they wont go in pouches, or in a corner. If the food is to low it will probably fall in that so put it high. Something I think is cute but a landlord wont is they can be messy eaters, when Meeka is done with something she will throw it. In fact I fed her a super worm and when she was done she threw it to the side, not the funnest of things to clean up. Making or buying a "kitchen" will contain the mess. I use to use a chinchilla dust bath house, they can be made from plastic containers with a whole in the side (no sharp edges!) but make sure there is enough room for all gliders and food.