Showing posts with label sugar glider breeders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar glider breeders. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2011

Sugar Glider Breeders

Choosing A Glider Breeder

Finding a reputable sugar glider breeder fairly close to you is not to difficult a task for  most parts of the country. These are individuals who take on the responsibility of maintaining breeding sugar gliders and genuinely love the animals they are breeding. These animals are considered legal exotic pets in the U.S. and therefore have some unusual maintenance requirements. A responsible individual who oversees sugar gliders breeding will pass on their knowledge to prospective owners of gliders.

The USDA must license any sugar gliders breeding facility. If you are buying a glider from someone who owns more than three breeding animals, ask to see this USDA certification. Also, sugar gliders require an enormous amount of attention from their owners. A reputable breeder will ask you a lot of questions about the kind of home and environment you can provide for your pet. Be prepared by doing some research so you have some idea of how to answer.

These creatures do not do well as the only pet in a household. In the wild they live in small social groups and are usually only able to thrive if there is at least one other member of their species in the home. Responsible breeders will insist that you adopt them in pairs or, at the very least, prove that you are able to provide your pet with round the clock personal attention. Since this is such a sociable animal, beware of breeders that seem anxious to get rid of just one. Animals like this, that need to live with other animals, will not do well by themselves.

A good breeder will also be able to provide you with information about how to care for your glider(s). Additionally, they should be able to show you the parents; they should be healthy, well-adjusted and are a good indicator for healthy babies. Stay away from breeders that are trying to sell you gliders younger than 8 weeks old. Gliders do the best when they stay in their mother's pouch for the first 8 weeks of their life.

Since sugar gliders are rising in popularity, there are decent breeders all over the country. Go online and search the more popular web sites for these animals. Many of these web site owners are happy to answer any and all emails about these pets. They are a great source of breeder information as well.

It's always best to look for a local breeder. There are very few wild or domestic animals that can handle the stress of long distance shipping without getting sick and possibly dying. Asking local veterinarians in your area for referrals will also help in your search for the perfect glider pet. The price range for these animals is anywhere from $100-$600 depending on the location and reputation of the breeder. This is a lovely pet that is expensive and requires a fairly high amount of maintenance. Make sure the breeder you buy from is willing to continue communicating with you if you have any questions. 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 article for Celestron Telescopes: Celestron C8 Telescopes

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

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