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