Sugar Gliders

I have the opportunity to purchase 3 male Sugar Gliders.... with cage & accessoires for $200

and I was wondering if any one on here has ever owned any of these small creatures or knew some one that did? - if YES, what was you thought on them as pets and how well did your time with them go? - are they well behaved.

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I had a friend that had them. they can be very fragile. she also had a huge like thing for them. I mean this thing was like a 6 ft high by about 8 ft wide for them. probably 3 ft deep at least for them to fly in. and they do bite a little. she also had pouches for them that she carried them in. very cute but I don't think I would own one myself. alot of work

oh do alot of research on them too. don't just take my word for it. I only saw them one time

what the heck is a sugar glider??? they sound yummy...hehe...

OMG they are sooooooooooo cute (just looked it up in google)

i want a sugar glider..not to eat of course... id say sure why not...as cute as they are how can anyone say no to that!!!!! AWWWW lovely little cutie pies

Ok - I have been doing my research and here are a few things that "might" be a problem...... ?
(nocturnal, scent marking, toiletry behavior)

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When a sugar glider is startled or disturbed, it may produce a number of vocalizations. Often referred to as "crabbing," the loud and high-pitched sound resembles that of the grinding motor of an electric pencil sharpener or chain saw. It is an auditory signal that unmistakably indicates that the glider is not a "happy camper." Sugar gliders are not incessantly noisy animals. However, since they are an intelligent animal, they have a recognizable language with several distinct barks, chirps, gurgles, and chatters. Their communication is audible to the human ear. And they are able to project sound as far away as several hundred yards. Which, of course, is an understandable necessity when you consider the fact that in the wild, sugar gliders naturally communicate with other gliders in other treetops.

Undoubtedly, "crabbing" can be a potential problem for some would-be sugar glider owners. So can scent-marking! Simply another form of sugar glider communication, each sugar glider has its own unique "signature" scent, and also carries a "group scent" which identifies the sugar glider as being part of a particular "family" of gliders. Each scent gland on a glider has a distinctive smell and consequently makes it possible for him or her to convey complex combinations of information to other gliders. The sugar glider scent can be described as a sweet musk. Some people like the smell; others find it revolting. Keep in mind, the scent is heavier in the sugar glider's nest area and usually much less noticeable on its body. Mature male sugar gliders can be identified by their diamond-shaped bald spot on their head, which is where one of the male's scent glands is located. The dominant male in each family will use his scent gland to mark his family members by rubbing his forehead and chest on their bodies. He will also scent mark objects in his cage. And there is simply no controlling this habit.

There is also no controlling a sugar glider's toileting behavior. Sugar gliders cannot be housebroken. And as such, they urinate and defecate wherever they happen to be at the time. Which means, of course, that you should not be surprised when your sugar glider "poops" on you. Fortunately, sugar gliders tend to do most of their "potty business" when they first awake, so you can avoid many accidents by simply permitting them to complete this task before picking them up. Also, sugar glider waste matter is small and solid, and easy to remove from your clothing -- not at all like the runny consistency of a bird's waste. It is, however, a nasty habit that you won't be able to change in your pet sugar glider. In sum, although sugar gliders possess some endearing qualities which make them the perfect pocket pet, the potential owner must be aware of the handful of drawbacks and warnings associated with this remarkable species. Each year, hundreds of sugar gliders are neglected and abandoned by owners who had impulsively purchased them before researching their habits and needs.

wow...im glad you did your research...maybe get a girl sugar glider? Do they do the scent marking too? As for the toileting behavior you have to admit...over than dogs and cats sometiems...most animals do go whereever they want....so that isnt too bad is it???as for the pencil sharpner noise...well you might not get sleep at night....as it is nocturnal and probably want to play and wont be happy if no one is there to play...way the pros and cons and if you feel you might not be able to do it....than say no thank you...but id ask around with those who have had them and see what they say...goodluck!!!!

i've only seen them in the wild. i didn't know people kept them as pets.

Ah:

> The Sugar Glider is protected by law in Australia, where it is illegal to keep them as pets, or to capture or sell them without a licence (which is usually only issued for research)...

> Where legal, the Sugar Glider is not difficult to breed in captivity under the right conditions, and small numbers have been legally and illegally exported to America where they have formed a breeding population for sale as pets. Breeding mills are a controversial subject. In the United States, keeping sugar gliders as pets is illegal in some jurisdictions, including California, Georgia, Hawaii, and Alaska; many other states require a permit...

> Sugar Gliders bred and kept in captivity behave differently to those in the wild. Because they are very social creatures, often living in families in the wild, it is difficult to raise a single Sugar Glider in captivity, especially as it is rare for a Sugar Glider owner to be up late at night, when Sugar Gliders are most active, to play with it. When multiple Sugar gliders are kept together, social behavior is closer to that of wild Sugar Gliders.

Yeah - they are illegal in some states Pennsylvania is one of them - but I have checked on my state and they are allowed as pets here in Florida.

I forgot to ask the owners, but I will tomorrow before I decide if they can bring them to me or not - but I wonder if the males are nurtured and if YES - if that stops the scent marking? - for I know they can be nurtured, if one desire to do so.

Well, if nothing else.... I have checked up on a female Sugar Glider w/ cage for $100 - maybe I might go that route instead..... for I really want a little creature to care for and to love (plus hubby gave his ok) - I have been looking at owning Chinchillas or Sugar Gliders.

Don't know if they would make a good pet or not...but they sure are so darn cute!!!

A few years ago a co-worker at my workplace at that time(job#18! ) had gotten a sugar glider. It was a male and very cute! The problem for her was that it being nocturnal no one hardly ever saw him(he slept in a little pouch hanging inside the cage) and if he was disturbed during the day he would be skittish and withdraw--- after all-- who wants to be woken up in the middle of their sleep and taken out of bed? So if one is up a lot in the middle of the night a sugar glider might be a good pet then.

They sure are cute, aren't they?!! I got to hold her's and feed it grape slices.

mandy

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mandyfins said:
So if one is up a lot in the middle of the night a sugar glider might be a good pet then.

They sure are cute, aren't they?!! I got to hold her's and feed it grape slices.

mandy

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Hmm - I am up most of the time until about 3 or 4 AM.....
so I would get to see them, and rest of the family would see them on the weekend.

Thanks... for giving me some thing else to think about.

I have looked into getting a sugar glider before, but decided against it because I have cats, and dogs about. I have a friend who has them, and they are very cute. She has 4 males, and I have never observed any bad smells from them. She also keeps her house very clean, as well as the cage.

Have you thought about ferrets? I have had ferrets before, and they are lovely animals. They aren't as fragile either. You can also litter train ferrets. They are very fun pets to have.

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Gemstone said:
Have you thought about ferrets? I have had ferrets before, and they are lovely animals. They aren't as fragile either. You can also litter train ferrets. They are very fun pets to have.

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YES.... I have thought about Ferrets, but my husband dos not like nor want them and I am trying to get a pet that the entire family will want around, therefore, they will always be wanted here at the house.

...my husband said he would not mind a Chinchilla or Hedgehog (cannot find any babies in my area right now) - and he said he might consider a Sugar Glider.

And yes.... while these will mainly be my pets.... I feel every one needs to be agreements with getting them or it will not work out in the long

Yes, sugar gliders are cute, but they are "exotic pets," and there are specific laws and special care you must be aware of. Here's a link for more info:

http://www.sugargliderinfo.com/

Hi Rhapsody -- One of my students had a sugar glider and gave an informational speech about them. He emphasized (a) they need attention. You cannot just leave it in a cage. (b) they are nocturnal, so they would not be a good pet for a day person.

Oh, yes, and he took his little glider many places in a little pouch on his chest. He was very fond of it.

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Maven said:
Yes, sugar gliders are cute, but they are "exotic pets," and there are specific laws and special care you must be aware of. Here's a link for more info:

http://www.sugargliderinfo.com/

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Thanks for the LINK Maven...... I have this website on my favorites (1 of 7 for Sugar Gliders) - I have been carefully reading all of the sites and taking notes, and I made sure that I could legally have them as pets in my state.

The owner says I can email her any time..... so I will make sure that I ask any questions that may come up in the future... not to mention that I got a big plus with the vet that cares for my 3 dogs - He specializes in Exotic Animals. w00t! w00t!

I always make sure that I read up on any animal myself or a family members may want to own as a pet and then I weigh the pros and cons and decide based on facts, never emotions.
Like now - my son wants an Iguana, but we decided against it after reading up on them - now he is getting two bearded dragons instead and he has two geckos (pics in photos). The reptile store we are buying the bearded dragons from are just down the street from us and they are always willing to help any one with INFO or HELP - even you if do not purchase your reptile from them.

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Wants2Fly said:
Hi Rhapsody -- One of my students had a sugar glider and gave an informational speech about them. He emphasized (a) they need attention. You cannot just leave it in a cage. (b) they are nocturnal, so they would not be a good pet for a day person.

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Then it is GOOD that I am a NIGHT PERSON.............. I will be able to enjoy them (and) I am homemaker so I can give them all the attention they need, day or night.

Best of all - the ENTIRE FAMILY as given their OK for having these sweet little creatures as our new family pet..... they will never want for attention - I even have the perfect little purse to carry them when I am away from the house - lol lol - can't wait.

Thanks..... for your reply, it helped me to see that if a school age child can take care of these little things - then I a 40 year woman who stays at home surely can - I AM HAPPY!

That's great, Rhapsody! And a great thing to note: /you should always get a vet who specializes in your type of exotic pet, and an aviary vet if you have any type of bird.

It sounds like you're ready and able to care for these little ones, and I wish you and them a long and healthy life (I'm not sure how long they live, but I mean whatever long is for them, LOL!). You'll get pics for us, won't you?

why are they illegal in some states?

what do you feed them in captivity?

I'm no expert, but I think the concern with some animals is disease, but also, as I know with some birds, they don't want them out in the population, breeding.

ok. i guess i just figured it might be for a different reason since it is illegal to keep them as pets in australia where they are native to australia. i wondered if it might have something to do with issues around it being possible to care for them properly in captivity (because people tend not to feed them adequate diets of fresh bugs or because people tend not to keep them in a big enough space for them to get to stretch their arms or whatever).

i have no idea really...

Could be that, too. It's truly sad that so many people don't even care properly for the legal pets. There are some idiots who get illegal pets like tigers and alligators, often to scare people away from their homes or illegal operations, and these animals are not only a danger to everyone and animals in the area, but they're abused and neglected as well.