Why a Glider?

That's an easy question to answer, so I'll skip it. The more important issue to address is why NOT to have a glider.


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And for an even more negative view...


My Personal Opinion on the keeping Sugar Gliders as pets:
A sugar glider is an exotic animal and should be kept as such. I hope we never see this critter become as popular as, say, a hamster. Hopefully the high price will help keep the craze down to a dull roar (if that). It really saddens me to see a glider adopted because a young person thinks they are cute. Yes, they are adorable, with their big black eyes, tiny body, and fluffy tail. But they are alive, and they have needs as well. Such as the need for movement, the need for companionship, and the need to eat healthy foods (such as mealworms, fruit, calcuim, etc). If you want cute, get a hamster or a mouse. I grew up on hamsters (many, many hamsters) and it worked just fine. Inexpensive (around $5-$10, compared to a gliders $200 each), and their short lifespan suited the eight year old just fine (gliders can live 10-15 years!). *An aside: if you do get hamsters for a kid, don't breed them. Unpleasant things can happen quite easily.* Besides, hamsters are happy solitary, cage dwelling animals. Sugar Gliders should be kept as pairs, same sex or different. Now you are looking at $350 at least! And they should be taken out to roam (indoors and supervised, of course) at night, where they will get into everything and knock anything else over. And they smell. Okay, supposedly not as bad as a ferret, but we noticed the peculiar musty odor within a day of adoption. Lastly, sugar gliders are a bonding animal. Hopefully soon after adoption they will love you; they'll bond to you. This is very important. You've probably heard it said that younger animals bond easier than adults. So, chances are, if you adopt a pair, you are in for the long haul. Five years down the road and suddenly you have to move, decide you want a dog/cat, or get tired of the glider, then what? You might find a willing home for the glider, but the glider isn't going to like it at all. Stress from moving, change of owner, etc can have a very detrimental effect on a glider. All I'm saying is please think twice before adopting these critters. They aren't a novelty; they are living, breathing creatures who need love, care, and understanding. And remember, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils are cute too!


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