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