Monday, September 26, 2011

Needs Of A Baby Sugar Glider

What You Need To Do

Sugar gliders are delivered into their mother’s pouch just 16 days after conception, where they live for 60 to 75 days, nursing on their mother’s breast milk. The earlier a baby is removed from its mother, the more time consuming will be the challenge of raising it to maturity. In the event that a glider is rejected by its mother, or its mother, dies they can be hand raised and fed a milk supplement. This method of feeding sometimes works on these tiny marsupials if one has the time and devotion to put forth this commitment. This feeding method will require a small dropper of some type like an eye dropper. The food needs to be placed on the gliders lips and not forced down its throat. The glider should be wrapped in a warm blanket or towel with its head up and feet down, as if it were suckling its mother.

It is recommended that one keep their glider close to their body, which helps with the bonding process. This will also help keep the glider warm. Their body temperature is almost ten degrees lower than ours, so we feel like a cozy blanket to them. This is especially important with the gliders that no longer have the protection of their mothers pouch. Sugar glider needs are much greater to the underdeveloped babies and the risk of dehydration is prevalent. One must take precautions to prevent this from occurring. When the sugar glider is still being hand fed, water can also be introduced with the dropper to aid in hydration between feedings.

Sugar glider needs for bedding require that the area is in the 80 to 85 degree Fahrenheit range, which is the temperature range in which they thrive. An incubator is recommended by some if the need arises for raising a very young glider. This will enable you to provide a stable, draft free environment.

An incubator can be a container of some kind like a small fish tank or bucket with holes drilled in it. Using a pet heater or heating blanket to wrap on the outside works well to keep the incubator warm. The bedding for your glider needs to be a biodegradable fiber that contains no oils or chemicals that can harm the sugar glider. Sugar gliders, like many small animals, like to burrow into their bedding to stay warm and to feel safe.

The Sugar glider needs when handling an underdeveloped baby are very dependent on the human parents. It may be necessary to assist the baby’s needs regarding bowel functions. A Q-tip, dampened in warm water can be used to stimulate the babies bowl movements by gently wiping it over the baby’s lower abdomen and genitalia. After your glider is a little older it will need no stimulation and should defecate on its own. If your glider does not defecate for a 24 hour period, you should seek medical attention as gliders can develop blockages or other maladies.
My name is Allan Stewart and I have several websites dedicated to health and well being for people and pets. Want to learn more about sugar gliders: sugar glider as pets Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Carpal Tunnel: The Best CTS Treatment

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