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
Showing posts with label sugar glider care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar glider care. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2011
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
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.
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.
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
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
Getting A Glider From A Great Breeder
Sugar gliders are so adorable that it’s easy to buy one on impulse at a pet store or online. However, not buying one from a reputable sugar glider breeder may cause you problems in the future.
The most common problem that people have when purchasing a sugar glider through a pet store or a website is bonding issues. It is preferable to purchase a baby sugar glider rather than an adult. Baby sugar gliders -- called joeys -- cannot be taken away from their mothers until they are fully weaned and out of the pouch, when they are about 7 to 9 weeks old. After they have been weaned, they automatically begin to bond to whomever or whatever they are exposed to regularly. The bonding process can take as long as two months or more. When you purchase a joey from a good breeder, you can get them during this time, ensuring the glider will become bonded to you. Older gliders are capable of forming new bonds if they are well handled and given the opportunity to bond to people during those precious two months. If sugar gliders are not handled enough -- which is often the case when sold out of pet stores -- it can be very difficult to get them to bond later on, if ever.
When purchasing a sugar glider, make sure you are buying a healthy animal. Make sure the glider is active and will tolerate handling. Other signs of good health include bright black eyes and a muscular build. Obviously, this can be hard to do if you are purchasing your glider through a website. Many websites will offer to ship your new glider to an airport near you. However, this kind of transportation can be very dangerous for the joeys. Reputable sugar glider breeders will not ship joeys in groups of less than 3 or 4. Shipping individual or pairs of joeys on a cold, dark airplane can be extremely stressful to the animals. It is not uncommon for them die during the trip. Even though most websites will guarantee to replace any dead animal, even if a joey survives the trip, many times it will take weeks for them to recover from the experience. This could lead to ongoing medical complications.
A federal license is required in the United States in order to sell baby gliders. Make sure that the breeder you find has an exotic pet license with the US Department of Agriculture. If the breeder is not licensed, don't bother wasting your time with them. Look for a breeder that is in your area or willing to travel to drop off your new joey. Of course, it’s better if you can travel to their breeding facility to see how they take care of their gliders. Any breeder that is honestly looking to place their joeys in good homes will welcome the visit and the chance to show off their gliders. You can get great advice from a great breeder and therefore ensure a lifetime of wonderful memories with your new glider. Sugar gliders can live between 12 and 15 years, so it’s honestly worth putting in the effort to start out the relationship with your glider the right way, and with the right breeder.
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 Dakien Backpacks: Dakine Heli Pro DLX
The most common problem that people have when purchasing a sugar glider through a pet store or a website is bonding issues. It is preferable to purchase a baby sugar glider rather than an adult. Baby sugar gliders -- called joeys -- cannot be taken away from their mothers until they are fully weaned and out of the pouch, when they are about 7 to 9 weeks old. After they have been weaned, they automatically begin to bond to whomever or whatever they are exposed to regularly. The bonding process can take as long as two months or more. When you purchase a joey from a good breeder, you can get them during this time, ensuring the glider will become bonded to you. Older gliders are capable of forming new bonds if they are well handled and given the opportunity to bond to people during those precious two months. If sugar gliders are not handled enough -- which is often the case when sold out of pet stores -- it can be very difficult to get them to bond later on, if ever.
When purchasing a sugar glider, make sure you are buying a healthy animal. Make sure the glider is active and will tolerate handling. Other signs of good health include bright black eyes and a muscular build. Obviously, this can be hard to do if you are purchasing your glider through a website. Many websites will offer to ship your new glider to an airport near you. However, this kind of transportation can be very dangerous for the joeys. Reputable sugar glider breeders will not ship joeys in groups of less than 3 or 4. Shipping individual or pairs of joeys on a cold, dark airplane can be extremely stressful to the animals. It is not uncommon for them die during the trip. Even though most websites will guarantee to replace any dead animal, even if a joey survives the trip, many times it will take weeks for them to recover from the experience. This could lead to ongoing medical complications.
A federal license is required in the United States in order to sell baby gliders. Make sure that the breeder you find has an exotic pet license with the US Department of Agriculture. If the breeder is not licensed, don't bother wasting your time with them. Look for a breeder that is in your area or willing to travel to drop off your new joey. Of course, it’s better if you can travel to their breeding facility to see how they take care of their gliders. Any breeder that is honestly looking to place their joeys in good homes will welcome the visit and the chance to show off their gliders. You can get great advice from a great breeder and therefore ensure a lifetime of wonderful memories with your new glider. Sugar gliders can live between 12 and 15 years, so it’s honestly worth putting in the effort to start out the relationship with your glider the right way, and with the right breeder.
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 Dakien Backpacks: Dakine Heli Pro DLX
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
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
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