Showing posts with label gliders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gliders. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2011

What Not To Feed Sugar Gliders

For those people, who may be wondering what they should not be feeding sugar  gliders, this article may be of some help. Following is a list of some foods that  people should never feed to these pets, as well as, some foods that many people may  be feeding sugar gliders, but that are highly controversial. A great rule of thumb  is that if people are unsure of whether to feed something to their sugar glider,  then it would probably be best not to feed it to them at all. It comes down to the  old adage, better safe than sorry.

Some foods that people should never feed their suggies include garlic, cheese, fried foods, chives, chocolate, coffee, raw eggs, leeks, processed meat, onions, millet,
tea, soda, scallions, raw meat, rhubarb, salt and soda. Other foods people should  avoid feeding their gliders are sugar, milk, peanuts or various insects. They should also never feed them baby food that contains either garlic or onion and canned  foods, as they contain salt and sugar. Some foods that sugar gliders can eat, but  only in small quantities include dog food, iceberg lettuce, various nuts and  sunflower seeds. As far as insects go, some are allowed and you should contact an  exotic veterinarian to find out what kinds and how much to feed and when.

Although many sugar glider owners feed their pets tofu and soy products, many  breeders do not like this idea as research has shown that tofu can adversely affect  the animal's digestive system. Although these studies did not focus on sugar  gliders, there is still controversy as to the effects of tofu upon the glider's  digestive system, as well.

Grapes and raisins are other foods that many people commonly feed these pets.  However, some breeders have found that there may be a connection between suggies  eating these foods and kidney failure. This is true for other animals, as well.

Other foods, that people commonly feed their gliders, are fruit pits, fruit skins  and fruit seeds. While there is controversy among some breeders as to whether people should remove the pits, skin and seeds from fruit before they feed them to these  pets, there is no solid reason as to why. Most suggies will not eat the pits, skin  and seeds anyway; however, it is always best to be safe and remove them.

Cat food is another food that people commonly feed their suggies. However, breeders  insist that a diet of cat food can cause the gliders to have a vast array of health  problems. Some of the health problems, that these pets could incur from eating cat  food as their main diet, include lumpy jaw syndrome, intestinal blockage and even  death.

In conclusion, the above foods are only a partial list of the foods that suggies  should not eat. Again, if people are not sure whether or not they should feed  something to their pet, they simply should not feed it to them. When in question,  the best person to consult about the proper diet for sugar gliders is one's  veterinarian.
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 diet Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Victorinox Products: Who Is Victorinox

Tricks You Can Teach Sugar Gliders

Teach Your Sugar Glider New Tricks!

So, you've gotten your sugar gliders home and want to teach them some tricks to show off to your friends? Well here's a good starting point. Sugar gliders love to jump, glide, somersault, swing and pretty much do anything that lets them be in the air which is in their nature. 

The first step to teaching your sugar glider tricks is to bond with it. Try to be sure to have a few days off when you first receive your gliders. Keep them with you at all times for the first day or two. They have to adjust to their new surroundings, just like every other kind of pet, but because they are so small, they are easily frightened and need a safe place to run to. Spending time caring for and being gentle with them will help establish you as the safe place. Make sure that you don't act nervous around them, or they'll think they are the boss and training them goes right out the window. Once your gliders are acclimated to you, you can begin trying different treats. Finding a treat your sugar gliders really enjoy gives you a good reward to give them when they do something you want them to do.

An easy trick to try first is jumping to you from a tall spot in your house. Place your glider on a high shelf and hold a treat in your hand a reasonable distance away. Snap your fingers or call out to your glider to jump. It's a good idea to decide on the commands you want your glider to learn before you begin training. That way you can be consistent throughout the training period.

How long you spend training your sugar glider is dependent on a number of factors. For example, how old was the glider before you got it, how long do you spend with your glider everyday and are you trying to teach him to do something he normally does but on command? Answering these questions will help you determine how long it should take to teach your sugar glider tricks.

Remember, gliders can learn simple commands like "no", "get down" and "come", but will not be potty trained. That is just not in their nature. Training your sugar glider can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your training regimen and how much work you put into it. For some, they keep training their glider over and over again. The thinking behind this tactic is repetition keeps the training fresh and implanted in the mind of the glider.

However you decide to train your glider, remember to be consistent. Offer the treats for the same reasons. Don't give them a treat just because they're so adorable. Use it as a training tool to get them to do what you want, within reason of course. It will only make it that much harder to train your glider if you abuse this tactic.
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 Dakien Backpacks: Dakine Heli Pro DLX

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

5 Rules To Buying A Sugar Glider

Things To Check Before Buying A Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are becoming very popular pets in the U.S. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind before you buy one though. Here are just 5 things to do or check before you commit to buying a glider.

The very first thing you should check before buying a glider is if they are legal in your state or town. Some states allow sugar gliders without having to have a license, in others you have to buy the glider from a USDA licensed breeder, and still others say you need an exotic animal license to own a sugar glider. Once you have checked out your state, check your town as well. It is entirely possible for gliders to be allowed in a state but the town's laws could say that they are illegal.

Once you have determined the legality of owning a glider, there are w few other things you should check before buying sugar gliders. One of these is concern for the other people in the house, if there are any. Gliders are nocturnal and can disturb the other household members at night. Gliders also have their own smell (which can be controlled) that some people find offensive. It is best for everyone involved to make sure the entire household is alright with you buying a glider.

A second thing to check is your local veterinarians. Gliders are exotic animals and need an exotic animal vet in your area. Not all vets can take care of gliders so it is vital that you find a vet that can before buying sugar gliders.

The next thing you should do is make sure you have enough room for a glider cage. Sugar gliders are arboreal, meaning the live in tree tops and like to climb on things. Because of this they need a large cage, the smallest suggested cage is 36x18x18. Once you have figured out the cage size needed, you have to figure out where you are going to put it. You should never put your gliders cage in direct sunlight or under a heater/air conditioner vent.

You should choose somewhere that you will be able to spend some quality time with your glider. You could consider the far corner of your bedroom, away from the door and windows, or even a corner in the living room if you want your glider to be a family pet that is interacting with other members of the family.

The final thing to consider is your family. Yes it was mentioned above, but that was in regards to them wanting a glider. This time, you should determine if any of them want to help you care for the glider and its cage and toys. Gliders are not meant for young children, they are fragile and need gentle handling. If you have young ones, it may be best to wait before getting a sugar glider and let the kids get a little older.
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 for sale Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Pedometers: Pedometer Facts

Fun Things For Glider Cages

Sugar Glider Cages

When it comes to sugar glider cages the bigger the aviary the better. Most people gain that space in height when building their own glider cages. Cages can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. No smaller than 36" tall and 36" wide is recommended as sugar gliders need height to feel more secure. Though I saw an Australian web site that said American cages are way too small. So perhaps this guideline is controversial depending upon whom you ask. It would seem likely so as sugar gliders can go over 150 feet in the wild.

Branches in the cage are important as gliders rarely touch the ground when they live in the open. The bars of the cage should be no more than a 1/2 inch apart. A wired cage allows good ventilation. Never store your glider in a dark room or garage. Always provide indirect sunlight during the day, but not direct sunlight. Keep the cage out of drafty areas and away from heaters. Most gliders are comfortable in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is good to expose sugar gliders to natural daylight hours. Some owners use infrared lights at night for viewing their pet.

Homemade cages are popular to many glider owners. One family erected a sugar glider cage around an actual baby crib by enclosing it with wire mesh. Powder covered cages are best as there have been reports of pvc covered wire which has made gliders sick. This gives their little marsupial plenty of space to nest, and lets them roll the cage from room to room. The drawback with this design is perhaps the height is not there.

Of course, the gliders do not really like changes, but that usually applies to toys and items in their cage. Another owner did not have the money for larger sugar glider cages but wanted to give his marsupial extra space. He took two cages and cut the bottom away from one and placed them on top of one another. Then he wired the two together securely all the way around. This gave him basically double the space of what he had with only one cage. Caution should be used with whatever option one chooses. Thought should be put into ownership of the pet and glider cages must be fully considered for the gliders well being. In a tall cage, a three tiered macrame plant holder is good for bedding and nesting.

I read a blog by one sugar glider owner who said hers got out, by watching how she opened the cage door, but never left the room they were in. So it seems likely that if you take great care of your pet, they will not just leave. I would still take extra care that the room that houses a glider cage does not have any openings.

Actually, gliders will not try and escape their surroundings like a rodent will try to do. They are content to stay with their owners and have fun.
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 cages Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other article for an Online Business: Starting Out In Affiliate Marketing

Sugar Gliders For Kids

Choosing the perfect pet to add as a member of the family is a big decision. An animal to consider that has gained popularity as a pet in recent years is sugar gliders. Owners have found the gliders to offer affectionate companionship and endless entertainment.

This tiny nocturnal marsupial has specific requirements an owner must be willing to undertake. A commitment to quality care must extend several years as sugar gliders facts indicate a lifespan of 10-15 years for the pets. Even with the required extra care sugar gliders serve as good pets for kids and adults alike.

Pet ownership must always relate to a person’s commitment to responsibility, patience capacity, and desire for animal companionship. A competent adult should make the decision whether or not a child is mature enough to possess these necessary qualities. Or, the adult must have enough available time and be willing to carefully supervise care while the child is learning about gliders.

The first step in pet ownership is to research whether or not there are any regulations with which to comply and ascertain if the animal has been banned by the municipality or state of your residence. According to sugar gliders facts these exotic pets were first imported to the United States in 1994 and sale or ownership is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A computer savvy kid would be able to do this research online and find most of the things needed to know about glider ownership.

Discuss with the child the importance of bonding with sugar gliders. Successful bonding may happen in just a few days or the process may take several months. A child should understand that during this bonding time gliders may react in excitement or fear by biting at the hand. A child that is prepared to expect this nipping reaction will know how to correctly and positively respond.

The child should have knowledge of the importance of keeping the pet’s living quarters clean. Additional cleaning will be needed for other locations in the room where the glider has relieved itself when out of the cage. A young pet owner can safely perform these chores.

Make sure the child understands the amount and types of food that can be fed, and how often to feed. Clean drinking water each day is another care requirement.

A child must be coached in sugar glider facts as to cage size and configuration requirements, bonding pouch use, nutrition needs, necessary hours of play time, and possible veterinarian visits. Being fully informed prepares a child to be successful with pet care commitment, or to require minimal parental assistance to carry out all of the duties.

Family discussion and planning before adopting a sugar glider lays the foundation for almost any kid to successfully care for and enjoy a tiny glider friend. All this work is paid back in full and then some with an incredibly loving pet. When you consider the life expectancy of 12-15 years, your child can build a wonderful relationship with their glider.
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 gliders facts Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles for Nail Fungus: Nail Fungus aka Onychomycosis

Stages Of A Glider Diet

Proper diet is one of the most important things to consider when raising a sugar glider. Yes, this is true of almost any pet, but especially so with a sugar glider. A proper sugar gliders diet should always be maintained as these animals are very sensitive to disease that is related to being malnourished. Without a healthy, robust diet, sugar gliders have been known to get very ill.

It is important to understand that no one diet will suit all sugar gliders. Adult gliders have very different dietary needs from young gliders, for instance. Below is listed some information that every sugar glider owner needs in order to properly feed their little friends. Unless one is an expert in sugar glider nutrition themselves, they would be advised not to stray too far from these diet plans.

Young Sugar Gliders Diet

For a young glider, a home made formula should suffice, this would include the following ingredients.

  • Puppy Milk, and make sure to use puppy milk, not kitten milk, as kitten milk is higher in lactose
  • Chicken with apple baby food
  • Vanilla yogurt, not non-fat
  • Leadbeater's mix
  • Rice and banana baby cereal
  • Diluted apple juice

Mix this formula up, adding cereal and thickness as needed to create a sap-like consistency. Warm to body temperature and use a dropper to feed your young gliders. For those two weeks or younger, four to six times a day will suffice. It should be easy to tell when the baby is hungry after a little experience, and don't try to overfeed them: if they're full, they'll let you know.

A Weaning Gliders Diet

For weaning babies, it is best to teach the gliders to enjoy a variety of food. It's a good idea to start mixing the formula together with the foods that they will eventually enjoy as adults, slowly giving them more and more adult foods and less formula every day.

Adult Glider Diet

Once a sugar glider has been appropriately weaned, any of the following can be considered glider-safe dietary staples.

  • Turkey and sweet potato baby food
  • Chicken and apple baby food
  • Baby food fruits and sweet vegetables such as corn, sweet potatoes and carrots
  • Leadbeater's mix
  • Monkey biscuits soaked in juice or nectar
  • Rice and banana baby cereal
  • Applesauce

Remember that gliders primarily eat sap for sugar and bugs for protein in the wild. For this reason, it is important to ensure that a glider is getting both of these nutrients in sufficient amounts.

Providing Gliders with Sufficient Water

Sugar gliders should be provided with plenty of water as they dehydrate quickly. Babies and younger gliders will require a water dish, while older gliders may enjoy a water bottle. It is important that glider owners do not remove the dish until they have witnessed the gliders drinking from the bottle. It is simply not worth the risk until one can be sure that the glider knows what the bottle is for.

If a glider owner notices malnourished, underweight or sick gliders, it is important to provide their gliders with the appropriate diet and address the problem immediately, either through further research or with help and advice from other glider owners.
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 diet Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on The Paleo Diet: A List Of Paleo Foods

Things Needed To Breed Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are small marsupials that from the outset look like tiny chipmunks and they only grow to be between eleven (11) to twelve (12) inches long. These furry creatures are in the same family as kangaroos in that the mother keeps her young in a pouch. If you are interested in becoming a breeder there are some things that you need to know before you take on this undertaking.

First of all, you need to make sure that it is even legal to own sugar gliders as pets. Different jurisdictions in the country have different laws, so contact the local office of your county officials to determine if you are permitted to own one. Also, it is important to note that if you do plan on having more than four breeding females that you have to obtain a USDA Class A Breeder's license (for more information, you can contact the local USDA office). Male gliders reach maturity between four (4) - twelve (12) months old while, female gliders mature between eight (8) to twelve (12) months and females have the ability to breed a small litter (1-2) of joeys (baby gliders) up to three times a year.

There is certain breeding equipment and breeding accessories you will need prior to putting your male and female together so that 'nature can take it's course'. First you will need a large enough cage to house the male and female; again take into consideration the maturity levels for the each glider before you put them together. It would also be a good idea to either buy or build a small nesting box so that the father and mother have somewhere to sleep and so the mother has somewhere to nest when she becomes pregnant.

The gestation period only lasts about sixteen (16) days but the joeys will remain in her pouch for an additional two (2) -three (3) months. While the joeys are in the pouch make sure the mother has adequate protein or a milk supplement to make sure that her own milk supply does not run out. After the joeys leave the pouch and have started the weaning process (up to five weeks old) they can start eating semi-solid foods like low-fat fruit yogurts and/or baby foods. Then when they are about three (3) months old can you then transition to solid foods.

A key piece of breeding equipment that you should have is some type of scale (a jeweler's scale should work nicely) as this will ensure that the joey(s) are consistently gaining weight. In order to get the joey to socialize, it is important to start handling or hand-raising it immediately. There are certain breeding accessories like exercise toys, sleeping pouches, and bonding (pouches that you can wear on you person that simulates the mother's pouch and can help to get the joey acclimated to human touch) that are also a great way to socialize your pet for its new home.

To hand raise a joey you will need to make a temporary cage area for them to sleep when not with you. This can be a plastic bucket with holes drilled in it and a reptile heat pad wrapped around the bucket. Keep the internal temp around 85F. Add some bedding material and your done.
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 gliding breeding Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Kyocera Ceramics: Kyocera Ceramic Knives

Sugar Glider Joey's

Young sugar glider joeys need special attention and feedings when they are this vulnerable age. If you find them with bite marks and sores on their bodies or if you find them at the bottom of the cage or crying all the time then this is a sign that the mother sugar glider is rejecting the young gliders needs.

In this type of situation you may need to hand-raise the young gliders for a little while. You should first feed the joey and keep it warm by wrapping it in a fleece blanket. Keep the joey close to you as much as you can. The feeding is to prevent dehydration which the young gliders are susceptible to.

You can then try and place the joey in the cage on his father’s back. If the father starts to carry the joey back to the nest, cleans and cares for the joey then rejection is not occurring. If the father pushes the joey off his back and ignores him then this is a major and worrisome sign of rejection. You should take the sugar glider out of the cage and continue to hand-raise the joey. Rejected sugar glider joeys usually die from dehydration before anything else.

Premature sugar glider joeys need to be cared for very carefully. The premature joeys do not have any fur and you can not wrap them in fleece. The fleece will absorb the joeys natural oils out of the skin which would harm the joey more. Use a t-shirt and keep the joey close to your skin and heart. This will need to be done 24 hours a day so you will be sleeping sitting up until the joey is strong enough.

Breeders recommend that you feed the premature joeys with a syringe or catheter. The syringe allows the drops to be small enough to prevent choking. No baby cereal should be used for a premature joey, it is to rich and thick. Wombaroo Milk Replacer is the formula that is recommended by breeders. Feedings need to be done every 20 to 30 minutes so the joey has a steady supply of food. Just a few drops is all that is necessary.

Once the joey starts to get fur and the ears come away from the head you can make an incubator for the joey to keep him warm. You can use a plastic bucket or a glass tank. Both will need a heating source. The glass tank you will need to use a Heat Wave Reptile Heat Pad on the outside of the tank.

The young joey needs to be kept at about 85- 90 degrees. For the plastic bucket tank, you will need to drill holes in the walls of the bucket and use blankets and a human heating pad wrapped around the outside. Place a thermometer inside of the enclosure to ensure that the temperature is not exceeded. Using a glass tank should only be used for the hand raising portion of raising a joey. Once they are old enough then they can go into the cage with the others.
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 Victorinox Products: Who Is Victorinox

Best Places To Buy Sugar Gliders

Sugar Gliders are beautiful pets that are interesting to watch and to interact with. They can bite if harassed but they are friendly if well handled. This small animal is home reared and raised to an age when it is ready to be availed for sale as a pet. They are very interesting pets and keeping them requires that you have them legally as some states have banned them. They are increasingly becoming popular and their demand is on the rise. Licensed holders who can be quoted as “places to buy” Gliders are few and this calls for an  in depth search.

Caution should be exercised so as not to buy from pet shops or online sources. You need a reliable glider breeder with a valid license to sell you these wonderful pets. You may checkout a site listed below this article that will give you pricing and you can contact Lisa as she has kits for rearing young sugar gliders. Information on care and housing as well as nutrition will be available from her website. Although they do shipping, they insist that buyers go in person first to the breeder for credibility reasons. In her page, you will see the cost of the various gliders they have as well as vet information and charges.

Once you buy a sugar glider, you can find information from the links below this article on how best to care for your gliders. Nutrition and medical care information to keep them healthy and happy is available on the site. You may read about the requirements for any purchase from the North America Sugar Glider Association and see the precautions you must take. This is an organization that was formed by a group of veterinarians and just like a few others which breed and take care of gliders a lot of good info is available. Buyers would do well to know the laws in their area for gliders since they are illegal in some states.

Those who wish to buy a sugar glider need to comply with the stated standards of transportation of these animals. The North America Sugar Glider Association ranks highly in the selling of sugar gliders and their young ones, the joeys. Among the reliable places to buy a sugar glider is the Pocket Pets Organization that has been reviewed positively at a time when many sites rank negatively or get an alert for lacking a license in handling these sensitive pets.

Genuine places to buy include Vets Pride, maintained by veterinarians in America. You can be sure of getting a well kept and immunized sugar gliders from them as well as information on how to take good care of them as they grow. It should be noted however, that in previous articles on my site, it has been noted that sugar gliders really do not need to be immunized. The reason for this is that they are not disease carriers and are not susceptible to things like heart worm. With that said and as noted in this article, you may still get a glider that has been immunized for something that it may never get which is not a bad thing.
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 for sale Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Dakien Backpacks: Dakine Heli Pro DLX
Contact Lisa

Sugar Glider Accessories

Sugar gliders are very social and active little creatures that require a significant amount of stimulation. The necessary stimuli must be provided through several forms of interaction including direct contact with their human friends and other sugar  gliders, as well as environmentally, via the use of appropriate toys and habitat  accessories.

Basic Needs:

•    Metal cage (large enough to enable plenty of activity)
•    Food container
•    Water container ( correct type needed per age of the glider)
•    Sleeping quarters
•    Bedding material

Once these basic needs have been met, the gliders’ mental and physical activity  needs must be addressed.

Habitat Enhancers:

•    Adjustable shelving
•    Bedding varieties
•    Ladders
•    Hanging dens
•    Natural branches
•    Heat lamps
•    Cage covers
•    Nesting boxes

There are numerous habitat-complimenting, as well as comfort providing options  available that are sure to appeal to every glider and their loving owners.

Exercising Fun:

•    Tunnels
•    Play wheels
•    Swings
•    Harnesses
•    Rope toys
•    Chain toys

Socializing Fun:

•    Carrying pouches
•    Bonding slings

Just Plain Fun:


•    Virtually any toddler-safe toy on the market
•    Cardboard boxes
•    Cloth bags
•    Old socks
•    Tents

Fun and Treats with a Purpose:

•    Calcium enriched edible toys
•    Nail trimming wheels with replaceable inserts
•    Dental health biscuits
•    Vitamin treats

There is a vast array of glider accessories available to meet the needs of your  gliders, from the simplest toddler toy, to the most complex and fascinating glider  specific gadget. Store-bought items however, are not the only way to please your  glider. Glider accessories can be made from common every day household items; that  unwanted shoebox, cloth shopping bag, or mate less sock can provide your gliders  with hours of entertainment and pleasure.

Gliders enjoy items that they can manipulate, e.g. push, toss, and/or carry, filling a simple need to interact, satisfy curiosities and just have fun! Very similar to  human toddlers, the more interaction and stimulation, the more socially secure,  well-rounded, happier beings result. These benefits are not derived from the amount  of money spent on stimulation but instead from the amount of positive stimulation  itself.

Providing your gliders with the proper accessories, attention and affection is  equally crucial to the overall health and well-being of your furry, big-eyed friend, as meeting their basic nutritional needs. Continually surprising your gliders with  accessories that fascinate and provide physical activity will help ensure both their physical and mental health.
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 gliders cages 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

How To Breed Sugar Gliders

The process of breeding sugar gliders is not an easy task and it should not be done carelessly or lightly. There are a lot of things that need to be in place before you get started. You simply cannot put a pair of sugar gliders together and expect that nature will take its course and make it easy for you. Before you commit yourself to the breeding process, take sufficient time in understanding the procedure and learning the proper way to care for the mother and her litter.

Here are a few things that you need to consider:

First off, check to see if it's permitted by the Law. Make sure it is legal to acquire a sugar glider as a pet in your area per your local town, city or state. Verify the requirements needed, do you have to get a breeding license from your local department of agriculture? The rule seems to be that if you have 4 or more breeding pairs or just 4 breeding females then you must acquire a breeding permit.

It is highly recommended that you purchase the pair of gliders from a breeder since it is the safest route to acquire them. A male sugar glider possesses a furred scrotum and two scent glands. The female counterpart, on the other hand, has a pouch on its abdomen.

The cage that you need for breeding sugar gliders must be at least 20 by 20 by 30 inches, and requires taller height rather than a wider width. The cage must be large for the two parent sugar gliders and for four babies. Remember that the bigger the cage, the happier your pets will be. It should also be big enough to make room for their climbing antics.

Buy at least one nesting box and put it inside the cage. You can also construct it out of different materials like cardboard, paper shavings, or a blanket. Make sure the nesting box you buy or make is large since it's going to be the resting place of your female glider once she gets pregnant.

It will take 8 to 14 months before they are ready to mate since they have to mature first. Once the cage is completely set up, put the pair in the cage and wait for them to start mating. The female glider will get pregnant and the gestation period will be for about 16 days. It then takes another two months before the baby joeys come out from their mother's pouch. After about another five months, the babies will be able to survive on their own and will stop depending on their mother for food.

At this point, you the owner come in. Now is the time to start the bonding process of your baby gliders too you. This will be the most important time for the two of you. Your baby glider(s) will bond quickly to you if you share in feeding and caring for them and pay them a lot of attention as well as showing them a lot of love. Handle them a lot and let them get used to you. After a few weeks it will be a natural thing for them to want to be held by you.
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 breeders Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Pedometers: Pedometer Facts

Sugar Glider Fun Facts

A Sugar Glider, also known as Sugar Bears or Honey Gliders, are marsupials indigenous to Australia, New Guinea, and the surrounding islands called the Bismarck Archipelago. They are quite popular as exotic pets in the United States, and are illegal in four of those states.

There are many Glider fun facts, such as its sweet tooth and amazing acrobatic feats. Aside from protein-loaded insects, they also enjoy sweet sap or nectar from trees and plants. They can literally glide through the air like a kite, with their arms and legs stretched out and it's tail used for steering. A thin membrane connects its wrists and ankles, giving the glider a kite-like appearance when in flight. In this manner, they can sail up to 328 feet at a time, moving through the trees very quickly. Their vocalization is commonly described as a “yip yip yip.”

Other glider fun facts are they can be great pets for devoted people. In many ways their mannerisms and behaviors mimic both cats and dogs but are more commonly similar to a dog. As a pet, they are very playful and enjoy spending a lot of quality time with their owner. Even the simple act of spending time in their owner’s pocket throughout the day is an enjoyable and affectionate experience. Also similar to dogs, they can be taught tricks. They are very clean, like cats, and want their living environment free of waste. Unlike cats, they cannot be trained to use a litter box. But, similar to canine companions they will signal their owner when it’s time to go, once properly trained.

Gliders also have a bad reputation as being a smelly pet. A neutered glider that is fed a proper pet diet will not have offensive odors. Proper diets for pet gliders are lower in protein and sweets, which tend to be the culprit for odors, while providing proper nutrition. When properly socialized, gliders rarely bite. If they do, the bite is like a hard pinch, unlike other small pets such as hamsters and gerbils with very sharp teeth that can break the skin.

Many of the negative aspects of owning a sugar glider can be negated if they are purchased from reputable places that breed them as pets. Gliders are commonly plucked from the wild and illegally sold as pets. Since these gliders are not meant to live in captivity, the results can be overwhelming and detrimental to both animal and human. Having a glider that was captured in the wild is illegal. While that does not matter to a person in the U.S. it demonstrates the seriousness of obtaining one these animals in the correct way.

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are four states that do not allow the ownership of sugar gliders. One of these states is California and like ferrets, to own one means breaking the law.

If you are serious about getting a glider make sure it is legal in your state and above all else please get them from a federally licensed breeder which will insure that you are getting a healthy and happy glider.
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 gliders facts Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other article for an Online Business: Starting Out In Affiliate Marketing

Diet For Sugar Gliders

Sugar Glider Diet-What To know

Most people who do not know what a sugar glider diet is all about think that when they hear the name, that these animals live on sugary foods or fruit. That could not be further from the truth. In fact, too much sugary food can be very detrimental to a sugar glider. Though in the wild they do have as part of their diet various saps, fruits and nectar’s as a part of what they eat. But the good news is that sugar gliders are omnivorous, which means that they eat a wide variety of foods.

Sugar Gliders Wild Diet

One of these food groups as you might call it is insects. In fact, sugar gliders will eat mostly insects in the summer months when they are plentiful, such as crickets and grasshoppers. This gives them a high protein diet that is necessary for their good health. This is also the time when gliders breed so it stands to reason that this is an important part of the diet for breeding sugar gliders. In the winter months when insects are scarce or non existent, gliders will eat plant products such as acacia gum, eucalyptus sap and other nectar’s which make up the majority of the seasonal diet.

Diet In Captivity

This where the fun starts. Sugar gliders are extremely sensitive to what you feed them in their diet. Too much fruit can be bad thing as well as certain vegetables. Sugar gliders need to have vitamins added to their diet to help them keep healthy. One of these is calcium. Certain foods that are high in phosphorous can elevate disease in your glider and reduce calcium consumption. One of these foods to avoid for example is giving too much corn as this is high in phosphorous. Carrots are good for vitamin A when given in the right amounts and in the right form. Basically you need a balance of protein, vitamins and fruits and vegetables. Insects such as grasshoppers, June bugs, crickets and meal worms can be given but only as a treat. For vitamins you can add a pinch of Vionate and Rep-Cal. A word of caution, to much of a vitamin can be as bad as none, so use sparingly and never add it to their water and only every other day.

You should also have a food staple that is available all day in the cage. Giving glider pellets as it’s main staple is considered by most as the way to go. This food has been in development for a few decades and is considered one of the best foods to use. Also keep abundant clean water available for your gliders at all times.

Basically you are looking to achieve a 75:25 % ratio of staple protein to fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Any fruit you give should be after they have eaten their protein and vegetables and not left in the cage so it can spoil if not eaten right away. Treat giving fruit like you would a dessert to a child because to much and they can get fat and unhealthy.

While this article is just touching the surface on this topic it should give you some idea of what is involved in caring for sugar gliders. There are numerous variations on the web and elsewhere of diet combination’s for feeding gliders. I have just given a few and you should do some research on this and also experiment within sound guidelines to see what works for your glider(s).
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 diet Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other article for Celestron Telescopes: Celestron C8 Telescopes

Tips On Buying A Sugar Glider

Buying Sugar Gliders The Right Way

Sugar gliders are very affectionate animals who will become bonded and loyal companions. It is for this reason that many people are interested in acquiring a pet glider. However, gliders are exotic pets. You can’t just walk into any pet store and find a glider for sale. Finding your new companion can be somewhat challenging. However, purchasing a glider can go smoothly if -- you know how to handle it.

Many perspective sugar glider owners turn to the Internet to purchase one of these amazing pets. Buyers can be easily captured by a website offering to sell a sugar glider for a very reasonable price. Many of these sites are legit and a great way to find your new pet. However, there are a few sites that are not all they are cracked up to be, and prospective buyers should be wary.

Luckily, it’s easy to tell the difference. Be wary of a site offering to ship your sugar glider to an airport near you. This is never a good way to get any pet especially an exotic animal like a glider. You always want to physically see the pet you are purchasing before you actually buy it. Pictures can be deceiving and people will also tell you what you want
to hear when you talk to them over the phone. The truth is that there are dedicated sugar glider breeders who are willing to fly their gliders out to you personally. With that kind of dedication, you know that their gliders are quality specimens. Since gliders are an exotic pet, it can be hard for breeders to find a good breeding pair that do not come from the same gene pool. A dedicated breeder not only wants to be available to you to answer your questions, but they also want to make sure their gliders are going to a good home.Plus,
flying a baby sugar glider alone on an airplane is dangerous to the baby’s health. It is extremely stressful for young babies to be shipped alone or with one or two companions. Many gliders have died this way.

Another thing that many new glider owners wonder is if they need to purchase two sugar gliders at a time. In the wild, sugar gliders live in groups of 10 to 15 animals. They are very social creatures, which is the quality that makes them great pets. Those who are interested in making the most from their sale will tell you that you need to purchase two gliders for them to be happy. This is not always the case. Yes, sugar gliders get along with other gliders and most social animals desire their own kind. But when properly bonded with people, you become their companions and fill their desire for social interaction.

When purchasing a new glider joey (juvenile), make sure that you are buying one that is between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Someone who is selling gliders legitimately will know that this is the age when gliders bond best with their new families. In the wild, sugar gliders live in colonies of 10 to 15 gliders. Instinctively when they are about 8 to 12 weeks of age, they are out of the pouch and are naturally looking to bond with the colony. This process transfers very well to their prospective human family during this time in their lives.
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 for sale Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Kyocera Ceramics: Kyocera Ceramic Knives

Cages For Sugar Gliders

Important Facts for Sugar Glider Cages

Sugar gliders are a type of small gliding possum, with a squirrel-like body, and a long tail. They are marsupials and are approximately 12 to 13 inches long from their nose to the tips of their tails. Six of those inches are pure tail. They have soft fur coats that come in many colors such as blue-gray, yellow, and tan. The blue-gray color is the most common among this species. There are albino sugar gliders as well although they are quite rare.

Sugar gliders are native to Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. They are normally nocturnal animals. Sugar gliders are thankfully not endangered unlike many small animals native to
Australia. They are though, protected by law in Australia. It is illegal there to keep them without a permit or caught and sold without a license.

Sugar gliders have become very popular as a domestic pet in the United States and it is no wonder with their adorable looks and super-soft fur. They are now being bred in large numbers in the U.S. for this purpose. They are legal as pets in all states of the U.S. except for in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Alaska.

If you are looking to adopt a pet glider there are many things you need to learn about to ensure you keep a healthy and happy pet for years to come. One important consideration is housing your new pet in the proper cage.

Your choice in a glider cage is very important to ensure a healthy and happy pet. Sugar gliders are very active and need lots of room in their cages. The height of the cage is more important than the width since they love to jump and climb. Glider cages should be at least two-feet-wide by three-feet-tall. Don't be afraid to go as tall as possible, the taller the cage the happier your new pet will be. Sugar glider cages should have bars spaced no wider than one-half inch apart.

These animals are known escape artists and can escape through anything wider than that. A solid plastic cage floor is the best as this will be easiest to clean and will not absorb the urine which is bound to get on it. These cages should always be kept indoors to protect your pet from predators and the extreme temperatures of the outdoors.

A secure cage door-latch is very important because these smart critters are capable of opening some of the most complicated latches. The inside of a sugar glider cage should be a virtual playground for your buddy. Sugar gliders need a nest-box in their cage. This will give your glider a comfortable and safe feeling hide-out spot and a place to sleep.

Sugar gliders also love cloth pouches placed inside their cages and hanging from the sides. Since sugar gliders love to climb and jump, placing simple branches inside your sugar glider's cage can lead to hours of enjoyment. This will make the cage resemble the sugar glider's natural surroundings out in the wild. Make sure the branches are held securely in place, ideally being run from one side of the cage to the other in a nice natural pattern.

Ropes and ladders hung from the top of the cage can also be great fun for your pet. Sugar gliders also love cloth and wooden toys and these can be placed inside their cage. The small size toys made for rodents or birds are best. Lastly and most importantly, gliders need an accessible source of food and water in their cage. Plastic bird dishes can be great for this as they hang directly from the side of the cage. If the glider was raised with a water bottle, this can also be attached to the inside of the cage for easy hydration.
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 gliders cages Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles on Victorinox Products: Who Is Victorinox

5 Important Sugar Glider Facts

Too Sweet: The Care and Raising of Sugar Gliders which are tiny, gliding possums native to Australia and are now commonly kept as pets, especially in the United States, require some special care. Here are some facts.

Arboreal and Nocturnal

Gliders are arboreal marsupials that eat insects, mice and birds and suck the sap of certain wattle, gum and eucalyptus trees. They get their name because the sap it enjoys is sweet, and of course, it glides through the air. They look like a squirrel and have a tail that's as long as its body. They have plush fur that's most commonly a silvery blue color, though some albino gliders are found. They have a black stripe all the way down their back and its dorsal side is cream colored. The glider's little face also has pretty black markings.

Males are larger than the females and the average weight is about four to six ounces. While the glider's most attractive features are its small size and huge eyes that are good for its nocturnal lifestyle, its most distinct feature is the membrane that stretches from its fifth finger to its big toe. This is called the patagium and lets the animal glide from 164 to 490 feet. The tail and legs are used as rudders and the membrane, depending on its angle, is used like a sail. The glider's flight is accurate enough for it to snatch insects out of midair.

More Important Facts:

These animals have scent glands. The males have them on their heads and chests and use them to mark their territory. Females have scent glands near their pouches and their genital areas. The scent glands on the male's head looks like a little bald spot. Like all marsupials, the female also has a pouch in her abdomen to carry her young which, like kangaroo babies, are called joeys. Gliders usually live in colonies of fifteen to thirteen animals, who communicate with a wide variety of calls, from chirps to barks to a weird rattling sound called crabbing.

Male gliders reach sexual maturity when they're around nine to ten months old. Females take a little longer. However, some gliders are able to reproduce as early as four months of age. In the wild they only live from four to six years, but in captivity they can live twice that length if they're well cared for. Sugar gliders have oppose able toes and fingers, two of which are fused together and used as a grooming tool.

Proper Care

Sugar gliders should only be adopted from reputable breeders who at least have a USDA license to breed them. Potential glider parents should do research and ask other parents for information. Sugar gliders are kept in large bird cages or aviaries that should be large enough for them to glide around in. The bars should be horizontal so the glider can climb and play. Gliders use nesting boxes to sleep or rest during the day. A good diet for them would be 25 per cent protein, including fish and cooked egg, 25 percent fruit, 25 percent vegetables including carrots and greens, and 25 percent blend, including yogurt, cottage cheese and maybe dried bread or cereal.

Sugar gliders are best adopted when they're just weaned, when it's easier to acclimatize them to human handling. Because they're social, they should be kept with other sugar gliders, though they will bond happily with their humans. Optimum sugar glider care dictates that they should never be kept without the companionship of another sugar glider, for they'll become depressed and may even die, no matter how well cared for.
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 gliders facts 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