General Information
Where to buy?
Q: Do I really need to get 2 gliders?
A: Yes. Sugar gliders, by nature, are colony animals. They are typically happier and make better pets when they are in colonies of at least two gliders.
Q. Although you say its better to get two, I've heard that it is preferred, but not required.
A. I disagree that you shouldn't get two right away. No matter how much time you are able to spend with a sugar glider, you cannot possibly provide it with the same type of companionship another glider can. Gliders by nature are colony animals. Just for a moment, imagine if you never had any other human contact; regardless of how much time was spent with you (putting yourself into the glider's position), you would not be 100% content. You would miss talking to another person. If finances prevent you from getting two at the same time, my advice would be to hold off on getting the gliders to allow yourself time to save up for two. I honestly do not recommend buying just one to start.
Q: Where should I get my gliders?
A: You should get your gliders from a reputable breeder. For a list of breeders, please visit SGH Breeders Database. You can also adopt from a reputable rescue organization. For a list of rescues, please visit the SGH - Rescue Database.
Q: Is there anyplace I should NOT buy gliders?
A: Yes. I do not recommend that any gliders be purchased from trade shows, malls, flea markets, fairs, or pet stores. Typically, those that sell at these venues are either Mill Breeders or Mill Brokers (those that sell mill bred gliders). Additionally, although there are always exceptions, pet store employees typically do not have the proper knowledge to educate potential new owners.
A: Yes. Sugar gliders, by nature, are colony animals. They are typically happier and make better pets when they are in colonies of at least two gliders.
Q. Although you say its better to get two, I've heard that it is preferred, but not required.
A. I disagree that you shouldn't get two right away. No matter how much time you are able to spend with a sugar glider, you cannot possibly provide it with the same type of companionship another glider can. Gliders by nature are colony animals. Just for a moment, imagine if you never had any other human contact; regardless of how much time was spent with you (putting yourself into the glider's position), you would not be 100% content. You would miss talking to another person. If finances prevent you from getting two at the same time, my advice would be to hold off on getting the gliders to allow yourself time to save up for two. I honestly do not recommend buying just one to start.
Q: Where should I get my gliders?
A: You should get your gliders from a reputable breeder. For a list of breeders, please visit SGH Breeders Database. You can also adopt from a reputable rescue organization. For a list of rescues, please visit the SGH - Rescue Database.
Q: Is there anyplace I should NOT buy gliders?
A: Yes. I do not recommend that any gliders be purchased from trade shows, malls, flea markets, fairs, or pet stores. Typically, those that sell at these venues are either Mill Breeders or Mill Brokers (those that sell mill bred gliders). Additionally, although there are always exceptions, pet store employees typically do not have the proper knowledge to educate potential new owners.
Quarantine
Q: Do I have to quarantine my gliders, and if so how do I do it?
A: If you are getting gliders from two different breeders, it is highly recommended to do a 30-day quarantine. Ideally, the gliders will be kept in separate rooms of the house. None of their toys, pouches, or food dishes should be interchanged during this time period. A wellness check and fecal exam should be done as soon as you get the gliders. A follow-up fecal should be done in 30-days. If there are no parasites detected, then you can begin the introduction process. Please keep in mind that the 30-day time period is the time between the two fecal exams. If you wait 2 weeks before the initial exam, the gliders must stay quarantined for 30-days after the initial exam. In this scenario, they would be in quarantine for 6 weeks. Having the wellness exam and fecal exam as soon as possible after you obtain your gliders will avoid this additional wait time.
Q. What if I decide to get more gliders later from the same breeder, will I need to quarantine the new ones?
A. Yes, you should still quarantine the new gliders using the same quarantine method above. The reason for this is it is possible that a parasite could have shown up at the breeders facility after you purchased your first gliders. If you don't quarantine, you would be putting your original gliders at a potential health risk.
A: If you are getting gliders from two different breeders, it is highly recommended to do a 30-day quarantine. Ideally, the gliders will be kept in separate rooms of the house. None of their toys, pouches, or food dishes should be interchanged during this time period. A wellness check and fecal exam should be done as soon as you get the gliders. A follow-up fecal should be done in 30-days. If there are no parasites detected, then you can begin the introduction process. Please keep in mind that the 30-day time period is the time between the two fecal exams. If you wait 2 weeks before the initial exam, the gliders must stay quarantined for 30-days after the initial exam. In this scenario, they would be in quarantine for 6 weeks. Having the wellness exam and fecal exam as soon as possible after you obtain your gliders will avoid this additional wait time.
Q. What if I decide to get more gliders later from the same breeder, will I need to quarantine the new ones?
A. Yes, you should still quarantine the new gliders using the same quarantine method above. The reason for this is it is possible that a parasite could have shown up at the breeders facility after you purchased your first gliders. If you don't quarantine, you would be putting your original gliders at a potential health risk.
Introductions
Q: How do I introduce gliders?
A: Introductions should be done slowly, and after the quarantine period is over. Please read this article: Safe Introduction Method
Q: Can I bond with an older glider?
A: Absolutely! Age has nothing to do with the bonding process. Gliders can bond at any age.
Q: How long will it take to bond to my new glider?
A: The time all depends on the glider and you. It could take days, and it could take months. Always remember to be extremely patient with your new glider and don't try to rush the bonding process. Take things at your glider's pace. Patience is the key.
Q: Do I need to take my glider to the vet?
A: Yes. You should take your glider for a wellness check and fecals within the first few days of getting your new glider. Fecals should be completed again after 30 days. After that, if there are no health issues, your glider should be seen annually for a wellness check. It is a good idea to have semi-annual fecals completed. Sugar gliders do not require vaccinations
A: Introductions should be done slowly, and after the quarantine period is over. Please read this article: Safe Introduction Method
Q: Can I bond with an older glider?
A: Absolutely! Age has nothing to do with the bonding process. Gliders can bond at any age.
Q: How long will it take to bond to my new glider?
A: The time all depends on the glider and you. It could take days, and it could take months. Always remember to be extremely patient with your new glider and don't try to rush the bonding process. Take things at your glider's pace. Patience is the key.
Q: Do I need to take my glider to the vet?
A: Yes. You should take your glider for a wellness check and fecals within the first few days of getting your new glider. Fecals should be completed again after 30 days. After that, if there are no health issues, your glider should be seen annually for a wellness check. It is a good idea to have semi-annual fecals completed. Sugar gliders do not require vaccinations
Bonding
Here are a couple of posts from GliderCENTRAL that have been extremely helpful in understanding the bonding process.
Bonding
Building A Relationship with your Glider
Into the Bonding Pit
Bonding
Building A Relationship with your Glider
Into the Bonding Pit
Finding A Veterinarian
Q: How do I find a vet?
A: You can find a list of veterinarians by clicking on this link: SGH - Vet Database. If there isn't a vet listed in your area, then you will need to call around to your local vets to find one that treats sugar gliders.
Q: My vet will see my glider, but they do not have any experience. Should I still take them?
A: If there is not another glider knowledgeable vet in your area, then yes. However, you may need to be prepared to offer the vet information about sugar gliders. If they have any questions that you are unable to answer, please have them contact another vet that has offered to speak with their peers. You can find that list of consult vets here: SGH - Consult Vets. Please keep in mind that the veterinarians on this list will only speak to another veterinarian.
A: You can find a list of veterinarians by clicking on this link: SGH - Vet Database. If there isn't a vet listed in your area, then you will need to call around to your local vets to find one that treats sugar gliders.
Q: My vet will see my glider, but they do not have any experience. Should I still take them?
A: If there is not another glider knowledgeable vet in your area, then yes. However, you may need to be prepared to offer the vet information about sugar gliders. If they have any questions that you are unable to answer, please have them contact another vet that has offered to speak with their peers. You can find that list of consult vets here: SGH - Consult Vets. Please keep in mind that the veterinarians on this list will only speak to another veterinarian.
Cages & Accessories
www.noahsarkandnovelty.com/
: What size cage should they have?
A: The minimum size I recommend is 18" x 30" x36" for a pair of gliders. Mind you, I said "Minimum". I recommend bigger. If you have a larger colony, you will need a bigger cages.
Q: How big should the bar spacing be?
A: The bar spacing should not be any larger than 1/2". A glider can escape spacing of 5/8" or larger.
Q: What type of toys should I have in their cage?
A: I recommend enrichment toys - things that will keep your glider stimulated; toys should have a purpose. You should also have some foraging toys ~ this will allow them to mimic their natural foraging behavior and keep dinner time more fun for them. An absolute must in the cage is a glider-safe wheel. There are various wheels on the market, but I prefer the SpinZone Global.
Q: Where can I buy toys and pouches for my gliders?
A: To find a list of people to buy from, I encourage you to vist SGH - Vendors Database. There you will find a list of vendors that sell glider products as well as read what their customers have said about them. Additionally, there are some listed on my Links page that I personally recommend.
Q: What toys can I purchase locally for my gliders?
A: There are several toys you can purchase. You will need to purchase other items for their cage to keep them fully entertained and to maintain and enriching habitat.
Q: Where can I purchase toy making parts?
A: Here is a listing of various places to purchase toy parts:
Links for toy making supplies:
http://www.glidertoyparts.net/
www.noahsarkandnovelty.com/
http://www.rockportroost.com/partindex.html
http://www.birdsnestonline.com/index.html
http://www.mrchain.com/catalog
http://www.enasco.com/product/TB14538J
http://www.parrottoyangels.com/supplyindex.html
: What size cage should they have?
A: The minimum size I recommend is 18" x 30" x36" for a pair of gliders. Mind you, I said "Minimum". I recommend bigger. If you have a larger colony, you will need a bigger cages.
Q: How big should the bar spacing be?
A: The bar spacing should not be any larger than 1/2". A glider can escape spacing of 5/8" or larger.
Q: What type of toys should I have in their cage?
A: I recommend enrichment toys - things that will keep your glider stimulated; toys should have a purpose. You should also have some foraging toys ~ this will allow them to mimic their natural foraging behavior and keep dinner time more fun for them. An absolute must in the cage is a glider-safe wheel. There are various wheels on the market, but I prefer the SpinZone Global.
Q: Where can I buy toys and pouches for my gliders?
A: To find a list of people to buy from, I encourage you to vist SGH - Vendors Database. There you will find a list of vendors that sell glider products as well as read what their customers have said about them. Additionally, there are some listed on my Links page that I personally recommend.
Q: What toys can I purchase locally for my gliders?
A: There are several toys you can purchase. You will need to purchase other items for their cage to keep them fully entertained and to maintain and enriching habitat.
- Baby links (used to hang toys)
- Plastic basket and golf-sized wiffle balls (ball pit)
- Barrel of Monkey/Egg-o-Bunnies (hang from the top of the cage)
- Hard plastic bracelets (hang from the monkeys/bunnies)
- Army Men/Firemen (they will carry these around)
- Bird toys with plastic ~ NO rope (wood is ok, but will hold odor/urine)
- Fake Vines ~ NO wire in the "stem" (hang in cage, glider will play on and rip leaves off)
- Plastic chain from hardware store (will climb on and can hang toys from)
- Beads, Lanyard/Craft lace (to make toys)
- Bell (to add to home-made toys)
- Sturdy Plastic shot glasses (used as foraging cups in toys)
- Wiffle balls (add pieces of fleece/drinking straws for them to remove)
- Drinking Straws (put through wiffle balls for them to chew and remove)
Q: Where can I purchase toy making parts?
A: Here is a listing of various places to purchase toy parts:
Links for toy making supplies:
http://www.glidertoyparts.net/
www.noahsarkandnovelty.com/
http://www.rockportroost.com/partindex.html
http://www.birdsnestonline.com/index.html
http://www.mrchain.com/catalog
http://www.enasco.com/product/TB14538J
http://www.parrottoyangels.com/supplyindex.html
