Sugar Gliders?

[ErinsChins]

I have been wanting a sugar glider for a while now and I will be going to meet a guy on Wednesday, howver, I will not be getting one that soon. I'd like to do some more research first.

Does anyone here own a glider? I have a ton of questions!

1) I have read about the BML diet, where can I get the supplies?
2) Just any diet help would be great, for some reason certain parts are not making sense to me!
3) Are they heat sensitive like chinchillas?
4) They do best in same sex pairs correct?
5)How do you bond with them/bond them with other gliders?
6) Just anything I need to know?

And finally, besides the cage, could anyone here sell me a glider kit with food, fleece, treats etc, basically everything i'd need?

 

[Cassi]

I suggest signing up for www.glidercentral.net

 

[CTChin]

Glider Central is an awesome forum. I ended up trading my two sugar gliders for some chinchillas. A very good friend of mine loves the suggies and I love the chins. So she took my girls and I took her last 6 chins.

I had a reaction to their nails and would break out in red blotches on my arms...even with their nails trimmed. Also I found them to be messy like my parrot. One sticky, messy animal was enough in my house LOL

There is a diet called Priscilla's diet that is really good but not as messy as bml. On glider central they can direct you where to get the vitamins. There is one other diet that is really good but I can't remember it at the moment. I never tried bml because it didn't make sense to me either and was too restrictive.

Good luck!

 

[ABBY W.]

I use the Pet Glider nutrition system. You can find it at Petglider.com They also sell glider supplies and cages.

I like the pet glider diet because it's pretty easy to find all the ingredients in the grocery store (except for the vitamins, which you purchase on the website).

You also need to get a listing of the calcium to phosphorous ratios in fruits and veggies. You can find that at glider central. It's important to get a high amount of calcium in their diets, so when you mix foods, aim for higher than a 1:1 calcium to phosphorous ratio.

They are not heat sensitive like chins. I'm not sure what their optimum temperature is, but their native to Australia, which is generally pretty hot. Mine are fine at room temperature.

As far as pairings go, I have two males that are well-bonded. But I think males can fight if caged together. I'm not sure about females.

As far as bonding with you, I'm still working on that one with my guys. But mine were adults when they came to me. I am told that it's much easier when you get juveniles. A bonding pouch is really helpful.

 

[threewingedfury]

1) I have read about the BML diet, where can I get the supplies?

You can buy everything for the BML diet at the grocery store and pet store. It's cheaper to order the Rep-Cal vitamins online though. This diet is something you have to mix - you can't just order it online and do not use pelleted diets with gliders as they mash food with the top of their mouth.

2) Just any diet help would be great, for some reason certain parts are not making sense to me!

The main thing you need to watch is your Calcium and Phosphorus ratios (Ca). This is something that is a bit confusing, but you'll need to pay attention to the fruits and vegetables you put into your diet so that they are balanced. As Abby said - you want your calcium to be higher than the phosphorus. Also watch the fat intake and do not feed nuts, as they are high in fat. Do not use canned fruits and veggies in your diet, they're too high in salt - make sure to use fresh or frozen.

I also use the Pet Glider diet - I do not like the texture of the honey in the BML, but it's all up to personal preference. There are many different diets to choose from including HPW, Blended and Suncoast.

3) Are they heat sensitive like chinchillas?

No. I keep my guys at 72-75 degrees, but they can withstand higher, but you don't want the room to get too cold with them either. I keep an air conditioner running in the summer, in the winter their room stays over 70.

4) They do best in same sex pairs correct?

Not necessarily. You can do same sex, but male pairs need to be neutered. Dominace issues can lead to self-mutilation. There are plenty of male pairs that do fine, but I personally would never put two males together as I have seen it turn pretty ugly. You can have female pairs also. Opposite sex pairs also work well, but you have to get the male neutered. A lot of glider folk suggest these pairs as there are less dominance issues.

5)How do you bond with them/bond them with other gliders?

I use my bonding pouch for all of my gliders after I purchase them. I take them to stores with me when I'm going shopping, I let them hang out with me in the pouch when I'm washing water bottles for the chins. You can also use a bonding tent or playtime in a proofed bathroom. I usually introduce my gliders in a tent.

And finally, besides the cage, could anyone here sell me a glider kit with food, fleece, treats etc, basically everything i'd need?

Food you buy on your own at the grocery store. Treats can be mealworms (can be bought cheaper online dried, or you can get them live). I try to stay away from other treats such as store prepared dried fruits, though a lot of people suggest them. I think they're just too high in sugar and I'd rather give a variety of fresh fruits.

I make and sell custom fleece sets for gliders.