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(Psst! If you are new to navigating web pages, all of the underlined highlighted words can be left clicked on using your mouse. This will bring you to pages with more information. I just didn't want you to miss anything).

 

Toys

Sugar Gliders do like playing with toys.  As far as what toys they like vary from Glider to Glider.  Some won't play with a toy for months than all of a sudden decide they like the toy.  I have a Glider that did not like the big rodent wheel he had in his cage for many months.  I got a smaller one and wouldn't you know it, the day before I was going to put it in his cage he stared using the larger wheel.  He now plays in the larger wheel every day.

Gliders also like small plastic ladders they can carry around and blocks of wood with holes in them so they can climb through.  I have seen them in pet shops.  Any toys with clips, loose string or rope inspect daily so they don't get their toes or claws caught.  Cut any loose string or rope immediately.

Transporting a new Glider you just purchased.

Many times people adopting Glider from us bring these ferret cages to transport the Glider home.  The bar spacing is too wide and they squeeze right through.  I like using little carriers that are also used to house insects for lizzards.  They are plastic with a plastic lid with slits in the top for air.  There are also two handles on top and a plastic lift up top.  I have removed both the handles and the lift up top because I also use them for Glider nests.  I put unscented, untreated kleenex in the bottom for them to hide under.  These nests make for easy and sanitary clean up.

You can use pouches, tubes or what ever is easier for you.

Dimension are 8 1/2 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches high by 5 1/2 inches deep.  They come in larger sizes too.

Some Safety Issues. Keeping your Glider safe

Glider proof your house before letting your pet play outside of his cage. There are many dangers lurking in your house. Check to see what cracks or openings they can sneak in to. Make sure nothing is cooking on the stove incase your Glider gets the urge to go flying without proper clearance from the tower.

Make sure no poisonous plants are in the room. Don't count on your sugar glider to know what plants are poisonous and which are not. There are some safe house plants. If you are not sure whether your houseplants are poisonous or not then be safe and remove them from the room your sugar glider plays in. Better yet, remove the plants from your house completely. You know what they say, "Better safe then sorry."

Do not take your pet outside. They will climb the highest tree and glide up up and away, not to mention predators waiting and watching your gliders every move. Predators such as the neighbors cat, dog, hawks and owls, need I go on.

Health Issues. Keeping your Glider healthy

There are two main health issues with gliders. Hind leg paralysis and blindness. Before you get excited, there have been few reported cases and both are preventable. I will briefly touch on both.

First lets discuss hind leg paralysis. If this happens, rush your glider to the vet immediately. Hind leg paralysis is caused from not enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet. It's treated in much the same way as in exotic parrots. Vitamin D, is needed to convert raw calcium to bone material.

. The treatment for hind leg paralysis is to add more calcium in the diet. What I have given birds with a calcium deficiency is liquid neocalglucon drops. These drops, can also be given to sugar gliders. Before starting any treatment, consult your veterinarian.

Blindness is caused by too much fat in the diet. Over weight parents can produce blind offspring. To prevent this, make sure the cage is big enough for the pair to get plenty of exercise by being able to run around and climb up and down branches. Keep high fat foods such as peanuts and sunflower seeds to a rare treat. This does not mean one a day. It means more like one a week.

Breeding

Females mature at around 8 to 10 months. It takes males a little longer to mature. Isn't that always the way it is. A pair can mate up to 3 times a year. Both male and female tend to the young.

Usually one to two babies are produced. The term Joey refers to baby Sugar Gliders. Gestation is 16 days. Then the babies are born at which time they attach themselves to the mothers' nipple inside the pouch. Here they will remain for about 10 weeks. After about 10 days from emerging from the pouch, babies start to open their eyes. They are ready to wean about a month after this.

Be careful handling the female when babies are in her pouch. If they get detached from the nipple, they can not re-attach themselves and they will die.