Sugar Gliders (The pet, not the FF Team)

[DrunkMonkey 0]

Anyone here have a/a pair of pet sugar gliders? How hard are they to care for? Are they good pets, or boring, like mice/hamsters?

Thx.

[quade 3]

I did a little research on surgar gliders because I thought I'd like to have one for a pet.

While they are very, very cool, they are far too high maintenance for me.

They have very long potential lifespans (12 to 14 years!) compared to most animals of their size. They are nocturnal so while you can play with them during the day, most of their time will be spent snoozing in a pocket and then, I'm told, they can be -quite- active at night. Since they're so small, rooms need to be made safe for them as they can climb, glide and squeeze into areas a lot of larger pets wouldn't think about.

All of this was fine with me except the ultra high maintenance part called bonding. They become -very- attached to their owners and can't really be left alone or with other people for very long. I heard stories of them simply dying from loneliness after being left alone for a few days. The suggestions that I heard to deal with this mostly centered on getting at least two of them so that they can play with each other, but still the bonding thing is a very big consideration.

More info here.

http://www.sugar-gliders.com/sugar-glider.htm

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[nanook 1]

One thing. These animals are considered "exotic" and are illegal in california and massachuttetes and require permits to own in some states(nebraska, CT, KS). Don't know where you live. Cute animals though. I live in CA so was upset I wasn't able to own some.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[crotalus01 0]

if you get a sugarglider, be sure to get a baby. the bonding process is crucial, and once it has bonded to you it cannot be sold to another person - it might not die of loneliness (although this is thought to happen quite a bit), but it will be mean as hell to the new owner. they have sharp little teeth and they will bite. also, try to get one from a breeder, the ones you see in petstores tend to bond to the person that takes care of their cage (bonding is through scent with these animals).
they make excellent pets if you have the time for them.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

[nanook 1]

Now that I think about it. . . San Diego PD swat team has other important stuff to do than busting down my door for sugar gliders. Hmmmm. . . .

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[sunshine 2]

Quote

if you get a sugarglider, be sure to get a baby. the bonding process is crucial, and once it has bonded to you it cannot be sold to another person - it might not die of loneliness (although this is thought to happen quite a bit), but it will be mean as hell to the new owner. they have sharp little teeth and they will bite. also, try to get one from a breeder, the ones you see in petstores tend to bond to the person that takes care of their cage (bonding is through scent with these animals).
they make excellent pets if you have the time for them.
Police can riot all they please.

Why would the police riot if you had sugar gliders?

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[justaflygirl 0]

I have two females, they are quite comical. Once they are tamed they like attention. They are realitively easy to care b/c they eat mostly fruit and sleep nearly all day, but even at night when they're out, other than an occassional "argument" you dont hear much from them. They are very soft and develop personalities. The only drawback, which isnt much is that they are nocturnal. Hope this helps..

[Casie 0]

I did quite a bit of research and thought they were also tooo high maintenance to get any. Was told you should surely get a pair, not just one. They need lots of attention and can be extremely loud in the evening times, but that you would get used to it after awhile. Since they are considered exotic animals, I could not have one living in an apartment.

Best of Luck!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[The111 0]

I knew a girl that had two, and they smelled horrible. This is coming from the self-proclaimed "I have no sense of smell" guy. When she moved to a new place with two rooms she kept them in her spare room with the door shut, so at least I didn't smell them anymore, but that doesn't support the argument that they need attention or bonding, since I never saw her go in there... although it's very possible she did when I wasn't there.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Jskydiver22 0]

Uhh...i think thats his sig line "Police can riot all they please" because i couldnt figure out why police would riot. Just a thought.

--I don't even know enough to know that I dont know--

[sunshine 2]

Quote

Uhh...i think thats his sig line "Police can riot all they please" because i couldnt figure out why police would riot. Just a thought.

I figured that. But i was trying to make a point that it's fuckin rude and annoying for people that don't put spaces between their posts and their siglines.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[Jskydiver22 0]

Ohhhh...i see. Yeah i can see where that would be annoying and confusing.

--I don't even know enough to know that I dont know--

[leroydb 0]

I love my SG. He is a trip. He loves to do back flips. I let him out inthe bath room sometimes and he goes wild. cant imagine what he would do if I let him out in the whole house....

oh poor sunshine... its the internet babe... get over it.. chill... it is not real life. if it were, I would be skydiving... wait I do do that

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[wee 0]

Quote

Anyone here have a/a pair of pet sugar gliders? How hard are they to care for? Are they good pets, or boring, like mice/hamsters?

Thx.

I have 2 (7 y/o fem & 6 y/o male)
They need much larger cages than mice/hamsters and their diet is not as easy as dry food.
Are they good pets? yes and no. I bought mine when I was 17 because I knew nothing about them. They looked really cute and fun (that's usually how I make my decisions)
Here's a few things to consider:
the whole illegal thing could end in a bad way.
It's hard to find a cage to fit them considering vertical space is more important than floorspace. my cage is 6' but only 2' wide.
They smell and they like it that way.
They get their own room.
They don't potty train and WILL remind you of this.
Their claws will leave marks and it's not pretty (doesn't bleed-just welps that make fine haired scratches)
The list can go on but you get the idea...

I've had mine for eight years and I assure you they are not boring pets (assuming you don't mind they are nocturnal)--- for example, every time I take them out they run FAST! Only one of them knows it's name and comes when called. They usually have a plan where to go when theyre on the move and a lot of the time it's over the balcony (we have an open 2-story) ... which is cool to see but I can't fly after them... so by the time I run down stairs I have noooo clue where they are. Usually, I head for underneath the couch or somewhere else they know isn't easily accessable. Underneath the fridge is also a hotspot as they often find food there. They're smart.. nothing will lure them out if they have already "fallen" for it (see attached photo)
However, they are nothing like mice/hamsters. They don't walk, they pounce and if the chance is there?... jump or glide (if they're lucky). As they get older and less active, it makes me feel bad for buying them because my environment just doesn't entertain them (like a dog w/o room to run) but know they wouldn't last a second in the wild. I'm a meanie
Goodluck!
Heidi
P.S. don't try giving one a bath... that draws blood

If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!