Sugar Gliders - Pocket Pets

Many people are searching for different means to have pets. Dogs and cats are not always the best choice of pets for everyone. Here is an amazingly different type of pet. A Pocket Pet! A Sugar Glider.

The Sugar Glider is a popular pet because of its sweet, lively, inquisitive nature, but is illegal in certain jurisdictions, such as California.

Do gliders make sounds?

Sugar gliders are very social creatures and make many sounds, including barking, crabbing, clicking, and chattering.

Are gliders rodents?

No. Sugar gliders are marsupials (mammals that carry their young in a pouch); they are in the same family as the koala bear and the kangaroo.

I have gathered some information, and done some research. Perhaps this will be the answer for many wishing to own a different kind of a pet.

Sugar Gliders make excellent pets. They adapt very readily to captivity and can develop very strong relationships with their human keepers. This is why they would be great for people who cannot have big pets. They are small in size, are very intelligent and love to play. They are much smarter than a hamster or rat and have a much longer life-span, most living to be 10 or older if taken care of properly. Although nocturnal, this can be of benefit.

Sugar Gliders love human attention. And they really are so cute. They also develop very strong bonds with their owners.

An adult sugar glider is approximately 11 inches long from his nose to the tip of his tail, but most of that (6 or 7 inches) is tail. They have similarities with our flying squirrel. The fur is very soft. Here is more information I have researched.

It is around 16 to 20 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) in length, with a slightly longer tail, and weighs between 90 and 150 grams (3 to 5.3 oz). The fur is generally pearl grey, with black and cream patches at the base of the pink ears. The tail tapers only moderately and the last quarter of it is black, often with a white tip. The muzzle is short and rounded. Northern forms tend to be brown colored rather than grey and, as predicted by Bergmann's Rule, smaller.

The most noticeable features of its anatomy, however, are the twin skin membranes called "patagium"s which extend from the fifth finger of the forelimb back to the first toe of the hind foot. These are inconspicuous when the Sugar Glider is at rest it merely looks a little flabby, as though it had lost a lot of weight recently but immediately obvious when it takes flight. The membranes are used to glide between trees: when fully extended they form an aerodynamic surface the size of a large handkerchief.

Sugar Gliders can occupy any area where there are tree hollows for shelter and sufficient food. Their diet varies considerably with both geography and the changing seasons, but the main items are the sap of acacias and certain eucalupts, nectar, pollen, and arthropods. They are difficult to see in the wild, being small, wary, and nocturnal, but a sure sign of their presence is the stripping of bark and tooth marks left in the soft, green shoots of acacia trees.

Sugar gliders love human attention and they love to play. This is what makes them special. Make sure you bond with the little ones when you bring them home. Since they sleep in the daytime, you can bond with them by letting them sleep in your pocket, but don't sit on your glider! Sugar gliders will form very strong bonds with their owners. One article says that they love to play hide and go seek.

They love it when you come home at night; they are so excited to see you!

Please buy them from a reputable breeder. You can expect to pay from $200 to $400 for them. I recommend starting with a baby since they do form much stronger bonds with you. And as always, study and gather the right information to have a safe and healthy pet.

Posted by Ruth

www.happypetstop.com

Ruth is actively involved with the internet and she finds it very exciting. Her passions are people and pet health. She is a wife, a stepmom a dog owner and a business person. She is married for almost 30 years to Chris who has been, and still is, battling the monster MS. Two of her dogs are Certified Therapy Dogs. Her passions are health and fitness, especially as it pertains to the "over 40 crowd". Her About Page http://www.ruthsinformationabout.com/about-me.htm Her Pet Blog http://www.happypetstop.com/blog

Finding an Exotic Pet Vet

Just before you put the money on the counter for your new best friend - sugar glider - be sure that you already have found a veterinarian that will be able to take care of your sugar glider if something goes wrong.

The best thing is to ask other Sugar Glider owners and see what they can recommend. Try asking as many people as you can just to find and have a really long list of different vets that will be able to take care of your sugar glider if something wrong happens. The reason I recommend making a really long list is because some vets might not even look at small animals. That's okay - you still have 10-15 other ones to go to, right?

Now that your list is getting shorter and you liked few of those vets, call them and ask if they have training on sugar gliders. Are they trained with sugar gliders? What type of diet would they recommend? Do they have necessary equipment for small animals?

After these calls your list will probably be even shorter, but hey, that's expected to happen. And finally if you're satisfied with ones that are still on your list, visit them. I would really recommend you visiting your potential vets personally just to see how clean their facility is, how do they take care of small animals, do they record pets visit and are they comfortable if you have to leave your pet there?

Like I said before, take care of this business before you even go to look for your new best sugar glider friend. It's better to be safe than sorry. Looking for a vet when your sugar glider is sick and you have no idea what's wrong with it is not the best time.

But on the brighter note, a lot of experiments have been done with the same conclusion that might relieve you... Sugar gliders seem to be animals that are very healthy.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about finding exotic pet vet be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

Sugar Glider Diet

Since they are omnivorous, they are fond of many different types of food including meat. Some of the foods that Sugar Gliders, in general seem to enjoy, are as follows, but NOT limited to:

Apples, applesauce (baby Food Formula Only), apricots, bananas, berries, bread, cantaloupe, carrots, cherries, corn, dates, dried fruit, eggs, fig, grapes, honey, honeydew, insects, lettuce (Romaine or leaf only, Head or Iceberg can cause diarrhea), meal worms, meats (low fat turkey, boiled, skinless chicken & feeder mice), melons, nuts (assorted, unsalted and raw), oranges, papaya, peaches (not the pits, they are toxic), peanut butter, pears, pineapple, plums, pure fruit juices, raisins, strawberries, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes.

I do not suggest broccoli cauliflower, or cabbage due to the gas producing properties once ingested, no one likes to have gas, even Sugar Gliders.

One of the things that might work well for you is to have a few different containers and chop up different fruits and vegetables in each until they are full. Then all you have to do each night is to open the container(s) that you wish to feed from and pull cut a few of the pieces you wish to feed. I would like to add here that I consider it cruel not to feed some type of insect (at least) during the week. In the wild, they will eat fruits and animals and they should not be denied that while in captivity. It does not have to be done every day, but should be done often.

Sugar Gliders can gain weight more easily in captivity due to lack of movement that they would experience in the wild. Babies born to overweight parents can sometimes be born blind or with impaired vision caused by fatty deposits in their eyes. This can be corrected by a controlled diet and measuring weight with a small scale. One of the things that help cause this condition is by feeding to many nuts, which are high in protein and fat. To reduce their weight you need to reduce their fat and protein and try to increase their exercise. It may take a few weeks to bring down their weight.

Do not get frustrated when trying to feed your pet. They are peculiar with their feeding since they may willingly accept a food for a few days and then not take the same thing after a week and then eat it the following week. The bottom line is that they each have their own personality and tastes, and it will take time to find out what they like. You may find it easier to go to your local grocery store and buy a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and use these along with fresh fruit. You also need to make sure that your Sugar Glider has fresh water every day. Keep in mind that tap water may not be best since it is usually treated with chemicals to clean the water.

A couple of suggestions that I will make concerning any type of feed bowls would be that you should at least have a bowl that will not tip or spill easily. Most Sugar Gliders will tend to climb up on the bowl and set on the edge of the bowl. If the bowl is not heavy enough to support their weight, it will tip over and the food will spill either causing a mess or creating a situation where the food falls through the bottom of the age and the Sugar Glider will not be able to eat. Another suggestion that has worked well for me is to have a type of feed holder that hangs on the side of the cage. I have done this because as the Sugar Glider climbs around the cage, they will excrete and droppings fall to the bottom of the cage hitting whatever is in its way, including the food bowl. My feeders are located at the top of the cage with enough room for a Sugar Glider to sit up, on the edge, without being uncomfortable while eating. This keeps them from climbing above the food (most of the time) and lessens the chance that they will soil in their food.

A sample Glider formula that works well and is as follows:

Adult formula:

• 4-8 ounces Applesauce
• 1/2 cup Gerber dry cereal (for protein)
• 1/4 cup rice
• 1/4 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 ounces plain non-fat yogurt
• 4 ounces isomil or ensure plus
• Apple or Orange juice to make soupy

Puree in blender until liquid form and put in ice cube trays and freeze and feed 1-2 times a week. Pull one out for an AM feeding and one for PM feedings. Discard after 5 hours. It is still a good idea to offer some type of solid foods for them too as this will help keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Some people suggest feeding once a day at dusk, while others will feed twice a day. Which method you choose should be dependent upon your Sugar Gliders. Are they still hungry in the morning? Feed them a small amount in the morning or give them a little more in the evening. If I give too much food to mine, they tend to make a mess in their cage, so I do feed less at each meal, but fed twice a day. Try mixing up a few things that your Sugar Glider enjoys and are good for them and blending it together and freezing it. You can get a couple of ice cube trays fairly inexpensively and use those for freezing.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about sugar glider diet be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

Consider a Sugar Glider As an Exotic Pet

Sugar Gliders are one of the coolest exotic pets you can buy. They are cute and cuddly and they seem to like people that are nice to them and feed them. Since they are very small, they don't eat much and they hardly take any care, like other exotic pets. Now, you must realize that not all jurisdictions allow sugar glider pets. Why you ask?

Well, if they get out, they can breed quickly and survive well in the wild, thus, they are considered invasive species in the wild and authorities often wish to prevent this scenario. What you may not realize is these little critters are not mammals, but rather marsupials and this means they carry their young in a pouch for the very early parts of their lives.

Why do they call them gliders? Well, because they can spread their legs and arms and the flaps in between act as a glider/parachute devise, where they can move from tree to tree. This helps them moves from place to place and evade predators.

They like to eat nectar like humming birds, but also eat fruit or even meat from small birds, eggs in nests or other very small rodents like mice and rats. They are extremely smart and very good and cunning hunters, despite being so cute.

Since the sugar gliders are so social, they make wonderful pets, but really prefer to be paired, not alone. Best of all they live longer than other furry creatures like rabbits and ferrets (12-15 years) and they are very playful and fun, exciting to watch, thus, they make a perfect pet. So, please think on this.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Cleaning Sugar Glider Cages

If you think it's disgusting smelling, your sugar gliders probably think it's disgusting living in it. The cage will need to be completely cleaned out at least a once a week, maybe more if you have more than 2 sugar gliders. You will probably have to do a quick spot cleaning at least twice a week. A clean environment will keep them healthy.

If left in the cage for a long period, urine will begin to turn into ammonia, which is incredibly harmful to a sugar gliders respiratory system. Fecal matter, especially if it is an area where it is getting wet, can give rise to harmful bacteria that can be ingested or even inhaled making your sugar glider sick. Moist bedding or litter can cause fungus growth. A litter box or drop pan will help with feces. A clean cage will also help to make your home environment healthier and odor free. Remember that if you can smell dirty cages it is much more extreme and stressful to the animals living in them.

Step 1. Cleaning (removing visible dirt and debris) First, spray the cage with water to soften the residue. Then clean the cage by using an ordinary household soap such as dish washing liquid. A scrub brush and pressure nozzle for your hose will help you to dislodge stubborn debris from the cage and accessories. Small accessories can be soaked in a sink full of hot soapy water and scrubbed before disinfecting. This is only the first step in full cage cleaning.

Step 2. Disinfecting (destroying microorganisms or pathogens) Spray the cage and the accessories with your chosen disinfectant. Let the solution remain on the articles long enough to disinfect them (reading the directions will give the time it takes each particular product to do its job). These solutions can also be used on floors and walls around the cage as long as you rinse them well. After viral outbreaks use a cleaning agent that is specifically a virucide. Cleaning & Disinfecting Solutions (always rinse well)

• Dish washing soap - cleaner only
• Nolvasan (contains: chlorhexidine diacetate)-Bactericidal and virucidal
• Vinegar (contains: 5 % acetic acid) mildly bactericidal
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (medical grade) - mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Hydrogen peroxide 35% (technical grade) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal)
• Citricidal (contains:grape seed extract) mildly bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Household bleach (contains:5.25% sodium hypochlorite ) - bactericidal and virucidal
• Parvosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Antibacterial liquid soap- bactericidal
• Spectrosol (contains: quaternary ammonium chloride) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
• Oxyfresh (contains: stabilized chlorine dioxide) - bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal

Note: Lysol contains phenols and is not recommended for cleaning cages or accessories.

Step 3. Rinsing Rinse the cage and all accessories thoroughly. Make sure that you can not feel or smell any residual cleaning solution. This is a very important step. Some of the cleaners can be harmful to your small pets.

Step 4. Drying You can either air dry the cage and accessories or wipe them down with a clean towel. Air drying in the sun is particularly good if you want to make sure all organisms are killed.

The Hospital Cage Extra attention must be given when cleaning the cage of a sick pet, especially if it is going to be used later to house healthy pets. Meticulous care also needs to be taken if parasitic infestation is involved. In these scenarios, use strong solutions that kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses. After sterilization rinse thoroughly, and sun dry. After an infectious illness any accessories made from wood, wicker, or grass should be discarded. After a parasite outbreak these porous items need to be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and not used for any other animals for a minimum of two weeks. Food dishes should be cleaned, disinfected and then run through the dishwasher. Water bottles need to be completely taken apart (be sure to remove the washer) and all parts cleaned and sterilized.

Fabric Accessories You will want to thoroughly clean all cloth items used for your pet on a regular basis. Change the pouches, cage sets, tray liners and other fabric items as they get soiled (in-between cage cleanings). Wash with hypo-allergenic soap in warm or hot water in your washing machine. To clean fabric accessories that are particularly soiled, used in a sick cage, or contaminated with parasites, add a small amount of bleach or Oxyclean and use hot water. When using bleach or another disinfectant rinse twice to be sure that all chemicals are removed. Drying these items in the dryer at a high temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes will aid in combating microorganisms and parasitic infestations. Cleaning Tips

• Avoid perfumed household cleaners
• Spot clean in-between cage cleanings
• Keep a smaller cage for your pets to go in during cleaning
• Always clean in a well-ventilated area away from your pets
• Remove all accessories and clean well
• Spray the cage with water to soften the debris before cleaning
• Be sure all debris is removed before disinfecting
• Leave disinfectant on for a minimum of 10 minutes
• Take extra care with disinfecting hospital cages
• Rinse carefully to remove all cleaning agents
• Dry cage before putting your pets back in
• Use direct sunlight to dry and sanitize whenever possible
• Always sanitize and refill water bottles and food dishes
• Clean nursery cages more often

The whole process could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour each week, but remember it needs to be done. Just like you clean your shower and toilet, or wash the kitchen counters after cooking, sugar gliders need their cages as clean as possible because they can be messy and if that continues to build up, not only could it endanger them, over time it could possibly endanger your health as well.

For a complete guide to caring for Sugar Gliders, visit Sugar Glider Pet Guide. You will also find out more information regarding what states Sugar Gliders are legal in.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Sugar Glider

If you have ever gone to a pet store or a zoo and seen a sugar glider, you probably fell in love with these cute and interesting little creatures. Although many jurisdictions make it illegal to buy or to sell these sweet little animals, many people still find ways to purchase them as pets. The reality is you need to perform research and become knowledgeable prior to purchasing a sugar glider as a pet and, if you are serious about buying one, you should really consider all of the effort that goes into keeping one of these little cute little marsupials as a pet.

The Sugar Glider Diet

One of the most difficult aspects of keeping a sugar glider as a pet is giving it the proper diet. Unlike dogs and cats, you can't simply go to the store and pick up a bag of sugar glider food for your pet. In addition, sugar gliders cannot survive on a simple pellet food. Rather, they need to follow a somewhat complicated diet that involves eating a variety of different bugs such as grubs, mealworms and crickets.

Housing a Sugar Glider

In nature, sugar gliders live in the treetops and frequently glide over long distances during the nighttime in order to feed. Therefore, they need to have much larger cages than other creatures their size, such as gerbils, hamsters and ferrets. In fact, sugar gliders need a cage that is more like a small aviary that allows them to move around and to glide freely.

Sugar Glider Odor

Although they are cute and sweet looking, sugar gliders can be smelly animals. This is because they have special glands that allow them to emit a sent and to mark their territories. Although the smell is not as strong as that of other animals with these glands, such as ferrets and skunks, it can be irritating. In addition, they mark their cages with urine on a frequent basis, which means their cages can get quite messy and smelly in a short period of time.

Sugar gliders are also quite messy with their food as well as with their urine and bowel movements. In fact, it is not uncommon from them to play and run while also urinating or having a bowel movement. They will also through their food and waste out of their cages and have no problem with urinating and making other messes while they are being held.

Coping with the Noise

In addition to the odor, sugar gliders are also noisy animals. Since they are nocturnal, all of the noise they make can be really problematic when you are trying to get some sleep. Not only do they move around and play quite frequently during the night, they also verbalize with hissing and barking noises as well.

While sugar gliders can be great pets, it takes having the right type of temperament to keep a sugar glider as a pet. As a result, many are given up by their adoptive homes and sent to rescue shelters. Therefore, be certain you are ready for the responsibility of owning one of these little critters before you make the purchase.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's resource for pet classifieds

How to Choose a Sugar Glider Cage

If you're going to own a sugar glider, then you will certainly need a cage for it. There are a few things you need to consider before picking out your first one. This article will give you a few tips on how to choose a sugar glider cage.

Height

One of the first things you need to consider when choosing a cage is its height. Sugar gliders love to jump and climb around. Therefore, you need to make sure the cage has plenty of vertical space. Vertical space is more important than the amount of horizontal space. It's best that the cage is at least three feet tall.

Bars

You also need to consider the cage's bars. It's important that the bars are spaced no more than 1/2 inch to 1 inch apart. Wire mesh bars are best as they allow the glider to climb on them easily. If the cage you choose isn't wire mesh, then at least make sure it provides horizontal bars or platforms so the glider can use them to climb.

Material

A sugar glider cage can be made from various materials. If you're thinking about getting a cage with bare wire, you should know that it may irritate your pet's feet. Therefore, get a wire cage that's powder-coated or made from vinyl. They won't hurt your glider's feet and they'll also be easier for you to clean. It's best to avoid cages made from plexi-glass as your glider will scratch it up easily. Also, he won't be able to climb it, so you'll need to provide him with platforms or branches.

Security

Did you know that sugar gliders are pretty smart? Well, they are! You may be surprised one day to find that he has learned how to open his cage and let himself out. Try to find a cage that has a very secure latch that he can't learn to open easily.

These are a few tips for choosing a sugar glider cage. If this is your first time owning one, there are many things you need to learn about sugar glider care. So, click here now to continue learning important sugar glider information that you need to know

How to Find a Decent Sugar Glider Breeder

If you have taken the time to research sugar gliders and have decided you have the time to commit to them, you may be wondering where you are going to find a decent breeder who as healthy sugar gliders and who knows what they are doing.

One thing I wouldn’t really recommend is buying one from a pet shop if the pet shop in your local area does have sugar gliders. It’s heartbreaking to see how many sugar gliders are kept in small aquariums sitting in pine shavings meant for rabbits or guinea pigs. If you have been researching sugar glider care, you know how incredibly inhumane that is. Do your research on specific breeders before buying from them or on organizations. Although it is hard to be completely sure if a breeder is qualified. I would suggest if the breeder will allow it, ask if you can actually see where the gliders are being kept and how they are raised to make sure the person who is breeding is actually caring for the gliders correctly and not breeding and selling gliders to make a quick buck. As awful as that sounds, it happens consistently throughout the US daily and if you are not careful, you can end up buying gliders that may not make it through the week because of improper care that led to them being sick or having a disease.

Even if they say that they are USDA licensed, that doesn’t mean they care for their joeys and sugar gliders properly. When you go to visit the breeder, make sure they are in cages large enough to house them and make sure they are not being fed pellets. An experienced breeder will know that a sugar glider has a complex diet. Make sure to ask any questions you may have, even if you know the answer, a good breeder will know the answer and will provide you with it quickly. When you take a look at the joeys, they should be at least 8 weeks old, furry and has a pink nose, tongue, nails and footpads. They should be lively and alert. They should not have diarrhea, odd colored stools or strong smelling urine.

Always ask for the breeders contact number in case you have any other questions. A good breeder will not hesitate to give it to you. Make sure you have looked for all of these things before deciding on which breeder you will buy your new baby sugar glider from. The last thing anyone would want is to spend $200 to $400 on a sugar glider only to have it pass away soon after because of living in an unhealthy environment prior to you adopting. If you are looking for older sugar gliders, I would recommend trying pet finder. Sometimes they do have younger sugar gliders on their also. Almost all sugar gliders on this website are in shelters and have been abandoned, most likely by someone who bought on an impulse. If you adopt from here you can give a sugar glider a second chance, but I am going to STRESS this, make sure you can care for it for as long as it needs it. The last thing the sugar glider needs is to wind up at a shelter a second time.

For a complete guide to caring for Sugar Gliders, visit Sugar Glider Pet Guide. You will also find out more information regarding what states Sugar Gliders are legal in.

Things to Consider Before You Buy a Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are exotic pets that are relatively easy to care for. However, buying one may not be the best decision for you. There are a few things you need to consider before you make up your mind. This article will share with you a few things you need to consider before you buy a sugar glider.

Care

The most important thing you need to consider is how much care they require. These pets require daily care. This means you need to change their water on a daily basis as well as provide fresh food. Also, they can be pretty messy animals, so you will likely need to clean their cage everyday.

Cage

You'll also need to think about the type of cage you need. Sugar gliders are very active. They love to climb on things and jump around. Therefore, it's best that you provide him with a relatively large cage. Keeping them in a small cage would be very unfair and make them very unhappy. So, make sure your home has enough room to accommodate a large cage.

Compatibility

As you just learned, these animals are very active. But they're nocturnal, so they're much more active at night. You may have a hard time sleeping with all the noise that they make. As you already know, they'll make a mess in their cage very quickly. Things can also get smelly, which you may not enjoy very much.

Age

One of the final things to consider before you buy a sugar glider is its age. If you want your new pet to bond with you quicker, you should pick one that has been weaned recently. If you buy an older glider, it will take more time for him to bond with you. However, he will if you give him enough attention and be patient.

These are a few things to consider before you buy a sugar glider. There will be a lot that you need to learn about sugar glider care should you choose to buy one. So, click here now to start learning about important sugar glider information.

Four Expert Tips on Giving Food For Sugar Gliders

All owners want their glider to remain as healthy as possible. Well, a big part of that is providing the appropriate diet. If you don't give your sugar glider the right type of food, his health will certainly suffer. This article will give you a few tips on giving food for sugar gliders.

Fruits/Veggies

Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the main parts of your glider's diet. They enjoy a wide variety such as apples, pears, berries, and watermelon. You can also give exotic fruits such as mango and kiwi. It's best to switch up on a daily basis so he won't get tired of the same food.

Fat

It's important that your sugar glider food is low in fat. They don't respond very well to foods high in fat, and they will likely experience health problems. This means that you shouldn't feed him many seeds or nuts because they're very high in fat. If you feed a pregnant mother too much fat, the joeys may develop white spots in their eyes.

Calcium/Phosphorus

The proper balance of calcium and phosphorus is very important to sugar glider's health. They are very susceptible to bone disease is there is too much phosphorus in the sugar glider food. This will cause calcium to be taken from the bones to make up for it. In this situation, the glider will be very prone to experiencing a bone fracture. Many other health problems can also occur.

Toxicity

One of the most important things you need to learn about giving food for sugar gliders is to make sure you don't poison them. There are certain things you should never feed them. Fried foods and chocolate top this list. You should also avoid foods that have refined sugar. It's also important that you're aware that fruit seeds and pits are toxic.

These are a few tips on food for sugar gliders. There are many more things you need to learn about sugar glider care. So, click here now to continue learning important sugar glider information.

Sugar Glider Breeding

The aging method used in this book is from vaginal birth, NOT from the time that they emerge from the pouch. The reason for this is that each Sugar Glider can emerge at different times and therefore is not a reliable source of age measurements. The following table related to the development of a baby Sugar Glider and is taken from Monotremes and Marsupials: A Reference For Zoological Institutions by Larry R Collins.

"Days:

1 -- Ear pinnae are directed forward and held against heady by epithrichium, skin unpigmented, sex not discernible.
13 -- Able to tell sex.
16 -- Tips of ear pinnae are free from head.
19 -- Ear pinnae are completely free from head but still directed forward.
25 -- Ear pinnae directed backward.
30 -- Fin fur detected on muzzle, ears are lightly pigmented. (Approximately)
40 -- Joey first release grip on teat. (Approximately)
60 -- Joe begins protruding from pouch.
70 -- Only the Joey's head remain pushed into the pouch, Joe frequently left in nest by female and male protects them.
80 -- Eyes & ears begin to open."

Sexual maturity varies from Sugar Glider to Sugar Glider so I cannot state exactly when they come of age although it does seem to manifest around 7-15 months of age. In the wild, the sexual maturity is approximately 12 months with the females maturing first. One sign on the male that he may be ready is the appearance of the typical bald spot on the top of his head followed by a balding spot on the center of their chest. It is not difficult to breed these animals since they are communal. They live together very well and things will happen easily.

As with other marsupials the female Sugar Glider has a short gestation period. This means that approximately 16 days after conception, the babies are born and have to make their way to the mothers pouch. Once there, they will attach to a nipple for nourishments and stay for about 2-3 months. To check and see if your female has babies in her pouch, you can watch to see if her pouch starts to bag a little or look like it has a marble or two in it. It is true that you can GENTLY touch where the bulge is and see if you can feel a small lump or two (three if you are lucky) but I would recommend against it. These small bumps are most likely her new babies. If you were to pull a baby off the nipple, while you are checking, well. You most likely have lost that baby since they are unable to reattach to the nipple. Only special around the clock care May save them. For the first half of their pouch life the babies are unable to regulate their own body temperature and completely depend upon their mothers pouch to keep them warm. For this reason, you should make sure that environmental conditions are favorable for raising young Sugar Gliders.

Sometime around 2 months of pouch aged, the babies will start to work their way out of the mothers pouch a little at a time. They may start emerging with a bit of the tail or just a leg while still attached to the mother's nipple. DO NOT attempt to pull the babies out at this time as once they are removed from the nipple they are unable to reattach themselves. Once the babies are completely out of the pouch they will cling to the parents as they move around their housing, and in about 10 days their eyes will open. At this point, if the parents are not uneasy with you, you may remove the babies from the cages for a short period of time. This will also aid the babies in becoming acclimated to the human touch. It is important that you make sure the female has a good source of water and protein available at this time since most of these items will be passed on to the baby while she is nursing.

New babies may stay with the mother and father. There is no need to separate them after the baby is out of the pouch. Males are very good daddies as they will make sure that the babies are well taken care of by sheltering or giving the babies some if its own food if they want it. Both mother and father are excellent parents and will generally take great care of the young. Make sure there is an ample amount of food as the parents can eat their young if they become hungry enough!

I should note here, that it has been documented that some female Sugar Gliders that have had only one baby in the pouch have experienced another birth and that baby has crawled in the pouch while one is already nursing. I believe this to be rare, but has happened to some Sugar Glider mothers who have had babies that are already weeks old. If this happens, do nothing extra except make sure that your are providing the mother with enough fruits/vegetables and protein. All will happen naturally and take care of itself.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about sugar glider breeding be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

Essential Sugar Glider Supplies Revealed

Are you thinking about buying a sugar glider? Well, there are some important supplies that you'll need to provide proper care of him. This article will discuss some of the most essential sugar glider supplies.

Food

Your glider will definitely need a food and water dish. Most owners find it easier to buy a dish that can attach to the side of the cage. The dish you buy should also be quite large. However, make sure it's not large enough that your glider can get into it and soil it.

You'll also need to think about the best type of dish to buy. The most common options are plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic. It's best to avoid plastic dishes because they're porous and can easily harbor bacteria. Also, your glider will scratch it up easily. Therefore, it's best to get a stainless steel or ceramic dish.

Branches

Branches are also essential sugar glider supplies. These exotic animals love to jump and climb around. Therefore, make sure you provide them with branches to do so. You can use branches from a live tree if you wish. However, you'll need to make sure the tree hasn't been sprayed with harmful pesticides. The particular type of tree also shouldn't be harmful to your glider either.

Pouch/Nestbox

You'll also need a pouch or nestbox for your glider. If you have more than four gliders, you'll likely need a nestbox. Otherwise, a pouch will do just find. It's best to buy two pouches. That way you can use the clean one while you wash the one that's been soiled. If you need a nestbox, you should try not to get a wooden design. It will absorb pee and need to be replaced sometime in the future.

These are a few of the most essential sugar glider supplies. If this is your first time owning one, there is much more you need to learn about proper sugar glider care. So, click here now to continue your quest for more sugar glider information.

The Essential Sugar Glider Info

Sugar Gliders look like they are extremely fragile creatures, and they are, but they can be handled by adults and children alike. Just make sure that the Sugar Glider is easily handled and does not nip, before you let your children handle them.

Since Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, they are easiest to handle early in the mornings just before they go to sleep or for a while just before they normally get up for the night. This is especially true in new Sugar Gliders. If they are not bonded and you wait until they are fully awake, they can get to be a handful for you to keep track of. Once you have bonded, it will be easier to work with them at different times of the day. You will soon learn your Sugar Gliders sleeping habits and should not try to disrupt them too much during their normal sleep time. This may cause them to be grumpy for a while and they may become crabby towards you and may even nip at you. Working with them every day will allow them to bond and become familiar with you and soon they will become your best friend. You will learn when the best time is to work with your Sugar Glider by handling them everyday.

Do not just try to pull your Sugar Glider from their cage, as they will probably try to hold on as you remove them. By pulling hard, you could hurt them physically by pulling their arms outs of the socket or even pulling out their claws. After time they will trust you more and will allow you to take them out of the cage easily or even come out of the cage right into your hand.

For those of you who want to hold them quickly, please take your time and work with the Sugar Glider. Their cage is now their home and may not appreciate it if it is invaded. If they hold on with their feet, try to gently lift their toes off one by one so they will easily let go of the cage. You should try to coax them out of their cage by using treats such as peanuts or mealworms. After a while they will run to you just to get a treat and then you can remove them from their cage.

Sugar Gliders love to be cuddled and pet. Carry them around the house in loose shire pocket or on a shoulder. Just make sure that they have a place to retire when they feel the need to rest or feel secure. If they can be close to you and feel your body warmth, bonding will take place even faster. They may jump from person to person just to explore their new surroundings. This is extremely fun to watch as they move very quickly from area to area.

I feel that it is best to hand carrying your pet as much as possible so that they get used to being held. If you let them ride in a pocket all of the time that is the only the only thing they will want to do and will not want to be held in your hands. I have heard people suggest that you can carry your Sugar Glider around in your pants pockets, if your pants are losing fitting. I would strongly suggest against this! When the Sugar Glider sleeps, you may tend to fort about them and sit down wrong, and well, things can happen and a Sugar Glider can get hurt easily. For his reason, I would recommend that you carry them in a shirt pocket, or even wear two shirts (a t-shirt and an oxford) so that your new pet can climb in between shirts. You can carry them inside your t-shirt, but they do tend to climb around, and their claws can be sharp against the skin. Ouch! If you take them in public be cautious as they may react differently there than they do in the safety of your own house. If they get nervous, they may take off and run, and they are not much fun to catch in a crowded place, not to mention dangers of being stepped on or getting lost.

Keep in mind that in the wild they glide from treetop to treetop and are sturdy animals, but humans are much stronger and can cause much more damage without trying. The best thing that I can say here is to treat them, as you would like to be treated.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about sugar glider info be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

How to Train Your Sugar Glider

A lot of people are skeptic when it comes to sugar glider training. The fact is that you can train you glider, to a certain degree. But before you start training it something difficult, ask yourself if you want a glider that stays on your shoulder wherever you walk, or you want it to run around a house free.

The reason I'm asking you is because this will determine your further actions in training your suggie.

If you choose that you want a pet who never leaves you, the training will begin by teaching them to stay on your shoulder or in your pocket. Just put sugar glider on your shoulder or in your pocket and walk around your house. Every time it jumps off you, pick it up gently and put it back on your shoulder or in your pocket. The point is to let your sugar glider understand that it should stay on your shoulder. If your sugar glider jumps on another person - that's okay. Just don't let it jump on the things or run away from you.

Usually it takes four to five months until your sugar glider is trained to stay with you at all times.

However if you choose to let your pet run around your house free, the training should begin in small room. First of all you would let your sugar glider out of cage and let it explore this new room. After a while you should call it and give him a treat. Basically first time you will have to lure him with a treat in order to come to you, but keep repeating the command so your sugar glider associates it with a treat.

When you feel ready, move to a bigger room and do the same thing. Call the command and give a treat when your sugar glider comes to you. Soon your sugar glider will run around the house and come whenever you call it.

Just a little warning though: don't let your glider run around the house alone, because it might get fall into a toilet or get into other risky situations, that you wouldn't want it to get to.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about how to train your sugar glider be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

How to Buy Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are amazing pets and friends and having one as a pet and friend is truly an amazing experience. And thanks to their natural charisma sugar gliders are becoming more and more popular around the US.

Even though it's a real pleasure to have one as a pet, I would strongly suggest you checking out if sugar gliders are legal pets in your state. The thing is that sugar gliders are exotic pets and some state laws might claim them illegal. So just to be safe than sorry, check the US Department Of Agriculture laws to find out if it's okay to own one in your state.

If you find out that it's okay to own sugar glider in your state, then try and find as much information as you can about sugar glider care. Even though sugar gliders are small and are pretty healthy animals they still require a lot of time to feel loved and happy. So just before you buy a sugar glider, find out EVERYTHING you can about your new pet and how to take care of it.

Now, the next thing is that you must know is that they might live up to 15 years. Even though it's a strange thing to say, I want you to understand that this is not a short-term commitment. You will have to spend at least 2 hours of quality time every day with your pet for your sugar glider to feel loved and be healthy. So think this over again and commit to that.

When it comes to buying one, even though they might be hard to find, buy only from licensed breeders. Finding one will take some time and the best place to start from is International Sugar Gliders Association.

After you've found a breeder near you and they have some in stock - visit them. See the conditions that they are living in. If they are keeping their sugar gliders in aquariums it might mean that breeders are not too concerned with their sugar gliders' health and buying one from them might be a pretty risky thing to do.

Also, ask what are they feeding their sugar gliders with. If pellets are the only thing that they feed them - it's not a good sign. Sugar gliders need much more minerals and elements that can be found in pellets.

Now if everything is fine, start choosing your new pet. Try to choose pet that is at least of 8 weeks old.

When you've found one that would like to take home, don't forget to ask breeder for their contact information, so that you can contact them if something goes wrong or just have simple sugar glider care question.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about how to buy sugar gliders be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com

Caring For Sugar Gliders

A lot of people that have bought sugar gliders home have no idea what to do next... What will be their next step? Do you know what will be yours?

Try to see through your sugar glider's eyes. Everything is new to you and you've never seen these people or place before. You are even a little bit scared. You've been taken away from your home and put in a situation that is completely unknown to you.

While you have this in mind, try to come up with the best thing to do. I always suggest putting your sugar glider into its new home for a day or so, just to get used and calm down. What's happening during that period is that your sugar glider is becoming familiar to the new place and new smells that it haven't seen/smelled before.

Feeding your sugar glider with some treats that they really enjoy eating (like grapes, nuts etc.) is a good idea, since they will associate good feeling not only with the food that you are feeding them but also with your face.

Decide who will be the leader for the cockatiel. Then let only that person carry sugar glider for the next couple of days. After those few days have passed it's okay to introduce suggie to the other family members. Just take it slow and don't force things. Once your sugar glider is feeling safe with you and your family members the bonding process has begun.

Sugar gliders just love people and you will see that they are amazing pets as soon as it gets used to the new surroundings. Even though sugar gliders will mostly stay around their main care taker, they will also love to spend some time with other people that they are used to.

Just remember that sugar gliders are very sociable creatures and if you neglect them for some time they might get depressed or even angry. So be sure to have some quality time with your sugar glider and don't waste any opportunity to work with them.

Soon the most interesting thing will happen, your sugar glider will start coming to you just to play or cuddle. Sugar gliders might react just like dogs when you come back and come alive as soon as they see your face. And even though they love to be handled, make sure you are very careful while you do so.

Michael Bolden has been caring for sugar glider for more than 15 years now. To learn more about caring for sugar gliders be sure to visit his website at: http://www.sugarglidertips.com