Sugar Gliders

yes. it is sad that some people abuse and neglect their pets.

but it can be sad when people really do care a great deal about their pets welfare but where their circumstances mean that they simply can't care for their pets adequately.

e.g., lion cubs are jolly cute and you can play with them but they need careful handling if you want to be able to handle them safely as an adult. one playful swipe from an adult and its over rover.

in some other cases it is about people not knowing much about them. some animals range over a great territory in the wild, for example. to greatly reduce the range... can result in maladaptive behaviours like chewing wood and pacing and the like... weaving and cribing are some examples of basically 'nervous disorders' that can affect horses that are kept in stables instead of somewhere they can stretch their legs. i quite often think that we don't know a great deal (generally speaking) about what animals need in order to be psychologically healthy.

but birds are kept in cages too...
and dogs and cats are often fed on processed diets rather than what they would have obtained more naturally
(though of course we have artifically selected them for domestication for many many many many generations so they are better adapted to that than wild species would be).

i dunno.

i guess i was surprised was all. i know they aren't currently high on the endangered list (they are at least risk) but i had always regarded them to be a 'wild' animal. i didn't know that there were breeding mills and i didn't know that had been both legally and illegally exported as pets to other parts of the world - i thought you could only find them in the wild here. or maybe in zoos elsewhere.

like.. the platapus or the koala or the kangaroo... but maybe peole keep them as pets these days too... who knows.

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alexandra_k said:
what do you feed them in captivity?

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Feeding Babies:

Homemade glider formula - equal parts of:

First Born puppy milk (don't use kitten milk; it's higher in lactose)
Gerber chicken with apple baby food
vanilla yogurt (with live cultures, NOT nonfat - they need some fat right now!)
Leadbeater's Mix (without eggshells so it will go through the dropper better)
Gerber rice with banana baby cereal, moistened with diluted apple juice.


After Weaning:

applesauce
rice with bananas (or other flavors) baby cereal
turkey with sweet potatoes baby food
chicken with apples baby food
baby food fruits and sweet vegetables (corn, sweet potatoes, carrots)
different fruit flavors of yogurt
monkey biscuits soaked in different flavors of fruit juice/nectar
Leadbeater's Mix

The 4 most important things to remember in choosing a diet:

75 % fruit & vegtables - 25% protein
Water
Calcium!
Limit fat - lactose intolerance

EXTRAS:
Scrambled or boiled eggs, yogurt, baby food
Crickets dusted w/ calcium, meal worms, small lizards & spiders, pinkies (same as our Geckos)

Some of their favorite fruits include:
water melon, cantaloupe, grapes and mangos - they are also quite fond of apples and oranges.

Plus..... I found a website that comes highly recommended from other Sugar Glider Owners.
http://www.sugar-gliders.com/nutrition-health.htm
http://www.sugar-gliders.com/index.htm

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alexandra_k said:
why are they illegal in some states?

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In the United States sugargliders are considered to be wild or exotic animals because their life cycle, habits, and potential threat to native species is unknown. Because of this some states choose to make it illegal to own them and the national government stipulates that you must be licensed to breed them.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates licensing of breeders through the Animal Welfare Act.

There are no illegal areas in Canada, but some areas require a free license or registration to own the animals just as they would a dog or cat. If you have questions about legality in your specific area, you might contact your local Fish & Wildlife Office.

Owners who would like more information on the breeding requirements or legalities of this animal in the US should contact:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care
Sector Supervisor
9580 Micron Avenue, Suite E
Sacramento, California 85827

United States:

* Texas: Legal
* Tennessee: Legal
* Missouri: Legal
* Florida: Legal
* Illinois: Legal
* Indiana: Legal
<font color="red"> * Pennsylvania: Illegal </font>
* Kentucky: Legal
* New York: Legal
* Oklahoma: Legal
* North Carolina: Legal
* Iowa: Legal
* North Dakota: Legal
* Arizona: Legal
* Arkansas: Legal
<font color="red"> * California: Illegal </font>
* Mississippi: Legal

LINK: http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?Laws

Sounds like the cute little critters will be a welcome addition to your family and I know from your posts they will well taken care of. I'm happy for you!

Thank YOU.......................... hopefuly they will be coming home this weekend.

I am soooooo EXCITED - I just can't wait!!!! - its like an early Christmas for me.

* * * * * *

And - YES.... Maven - I will be sure to share a lot of PICS and to share all the stories about the cute things they do.

Check out there sounds.... http://www.skinhorse.net/gliders/sounds.html

Uh, Rhapsody, my students are in college,but I think the 40 versus 20 still applies! Plus, I also live in Florida, so I don't think there are any prohibitions here, unless they might be from the county or smaller jurisdiction. You have done a super job of informing yourself, and it sounds like you and your family are the perfect people to own, enjoy, and take care of special pets.

I have decided to let every one pick a name for one Sugar Glider (3 males) - the one I name will be called:
<font color="blue"> Shumway</font> .

hmm... shumway huh??? how cute...where did you come up with the name?

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InACorner said:
hmm... shumway huh??? how cute...where did you come up with the name?

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It was the last NAME of some one on the credits of "Night at the Museum" - I saw it last night with my husband & son and just I loved the name as soon as I read it.

... I like African type name for my pets - my pitbull is named Zulu (after the Zulu Tribe & King).

Yay!! We get pics!!!

Birds are kept in cages, yes, but in the case of legally kept birds, these birds would not survive in the wild. I didn't start this practice of taking birds from the wild, but these birds need homes, too. And any good bird owner allows the bird outside the cage (in a place where it can't escape, get lost and most likely die in the wild), and interacts with the bird. Pet birds need plenty of attention (certain species more than others).

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - that deal feel through, now I have to wait a full month (30 days) to get a new pair from another breeder.

I am soooooo sad for I was so excited at the thought of getting them this weekend, but in all reality this other deal is a better one..... for this pair will be 8 week old babies, therefore, we will be the only family they ever had - so I guess it is true: Good things come to those that wait.

Names for the pair of males I will be getting in May (if I pick from the 1st litter) or in June (if I pick from the newest litter - born on 4/11/07)....
<font color="blue"> Shumway &amp; Braum </font>

I will post some pics of the new little ones as soon as the owner / breeder sends them to me.... we can watch them grow up together.

Oh, this is exciting Rhapsody. I've looked at lots of pictures of sugar gliders on-line and they're absolutely adorable. I can't wait to see pics of your two new babies.

I love the names you have chosen.

Here is the best PIC I have so far...... the owner will be sending me better ones in the week to come.

.... click link above for photo attachment.

<font color="red"> PIC 1 </font>

<font color="red"> PIC 2 </font>

<font color="red"> PIC 3 </font>

Aw. They're adorable. I can't get over how tiny they are. I'm so excited for you!

Look how tiny the babies are!!!!!! Awwwwww!!!!!!

I know it's hard to have to wait a month, but that will give you plenty of time to pick out some fun toys (do sugar gliders play with toys?), maybe one of those cute pouches, and whatever else you get to buy for sugar gliders.

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Maven said:
Look how tiny the babies are!!!!!! Awwwwww!!!!!!

I know it's hard to have to wait a month, but that will give you plenty of time to pick out some fun toys (do sugar gliders play with toys?), maybe one of those cute pouches, and whatever else you get to buy for sugar gliders.

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Yeah.... they play with toys plus they run on a wheel like a hamster would do and I have already placed a bid on some pouches made by a seller on ebay..... the next thing is to order a cage, but I think I will put that off until the last 3 weeks before they are able to come home with me - already got it picked out, just need to purchase it.

For any one living in - Baltimore, OH, United States
Ebay: Bid on Sugar Glider Cage and receive 2 Suggies for FREE!! - Pick Up Only!!

LINK: http://tinyurl.com/28rhh5

Pouches for them. Awww. So cute. I would probably be knitting for them if I were you. LOL. I always knit for new babies.

Ok - here they are - the most recent PICS of the two twin brothers I will getting around May 15th (and) a PIC of their Mother.

<font color="red"> PICS 1 </font>

<font color="red"> PIC 2 </font>

<font color="red"> PIC # 3 </font>

<font color="red"> PIC # 4 - Mother "Gracie" </font>

Awww! They're adorable! But it looks like Mama's coming for her babies, LOL!

w00t w00t - the day has finally arrived.....

My family and I will be leaving tomorrow to head up to St. Augustine for some weekend sight seeing -
but best of all.... to pick up <font color="blue"> Shumway & Braum </font>.

<font color="red"> > > > > > PICS to FOLLOW after we RETURN - I PROMISE! </font>

My Baby Boy(s):


Their NEW Home: