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 Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:52 pm
A lot of us have had and know about dogs and cats, But sugar gliders are still new on the pet front and they are not for everyone! So, I thought (well, mostly because I am obsessed with them) we should have a thread where those of us who have had sugar glider for a number of years could answer questions of those wondering about our favorite feisty little marsupial!  Now mind you, anyone may chime in, but our experiences may be different. I do NOT encourage owning ANY pet ILLEGALLY. I have the licensing required to own sugar gliders legally here in Utah, USA. But the paperwork may be different where you are may be different, or it may even be illegal where you are to have one. But Sugar Mamas and Sugar Daddies (and other long studiers of our beloved Suggies (like those in the Sugar Glider Tree (the Official Suggie Guild of Gaia (Hint Hint JOIN if you are interested!)))lend your expertise to the curious others! And to start, if you have been asked questions recently (or just COMMONLY, hey ask them YOURSELF and answer them, too!)
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:47 pm
Hello there! I'm Free, and I gladly suppport suggies!!!
I was intrigued with the little creatures I saw in Kipluck's siggy, and that soon led to (what I hope to be) a life-long obsession! I joined The Suggie Tree! And am ever-so-glad I did it! I strongly encourage all of you to join the guild (link in first post) and learn a little about these cute little critters! The guild also has fun games and activities based off of our furry friends! mrgreen Thank you!
s_s
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:56 pm
Okay a few questions to start with that I have been asked... "What ARE they?"Sugar Gliders! Sort of like a flying squirrel, but a marsupial. These "Floxie Doxies" come from the trees of Australia and are very demanding, difficult, high-maintenance pets (but completely enchanting and hilarious!) "Are they even LEGAL?"Depends. Depends where you are and your circumstances. "What do you feed them?" There are a a few possible diets, and a TON of controversy. Therefore, I can really only say what I feed MINE, which is a version of BML.
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:32 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:16 am
Sugar gliders look kinda freaky.
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:34 pm
[Chocolate Slice] Sugar gliders look kinda freaky. They definitely CAN look a little freaky, I suppose. They have pretty intimidating nails and teeth, but keep in mind they are little hunters. They fruit, vegs, etc... but they also devour bugs, mice, and birds down to the bones. Like Aslan in Narnia. "He is not a tame lion" Thomnas says. "No," replies Lucy, "but he's good." hee hee hee!
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:14 pm
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:31 pm
I've been loosely considering getting a pair when I finish up at school. I have always found them interesting little critters, and seeing your cute sig picture around the guild rereminded me about my desire of getting some at one point. (Have to do my obsessive amount of research on them first though like I do with all potential new pets XD)
I guess a question is how do they fair as pets in general when it comes to handling and stuff? Just kind of a general overview from someone who has had so much experience with the little critters.
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:40 pm
Krissim Klaw have to do my obsessive amount of research on them first though like I do with all potential new pets XD) ALWAYS an EXCELLENT thing to hear! Krissim Klaw I guess a question is how do they fair as pets in general when it comes to handling and stuff? Just kind of a general overview from someone who has had so much experience with the little critters. For the most part You get OUT of gliders what you put into them. Gliders are high maintanence. But they are also intelligent and interesting. The more time you spend with them, the more bonded they will be to you. However, some general rules, with a few exceptions, gliders do like to cuddle but mostly they like to PLAY on you. They are not lap dogs. Most will not be happy to sit still. They want to chase feather teasers, jingle balls and fly onto your head from high shelves. They are NOT kid pets, by the way. In general, it depends on the glider how "cuddley" they are but a LOT depends on you and your bonding with them. They may bit at first... TAKE THE BITE. Bribe them. Spend TIME with them. Lots more, but those are the basics.
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:51 pm
Why are they illegal in some places?
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:49 pm
I've been wanting a pair of them for some time now... They're absolutely precious... But right now I have a pair of twin baby rats that need to be hand-trained I can't deal with sugar gliders, too... X.x;;; Hopefully some time in the near future, though... ^_^
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:56 am
as an Australian, I actually don't agree with the idea of sugar gliders. I don't like the idea of any of the native wildlife being kept as pets. I believe they're called wildlife for a reason and as such belong in the wild.
but each to his own. so long as you care for them properly and they are captive bred, not wild caught, keep whatever wild animal you wish.
as it happens in Australia, it's pretty much illegal to keep sugar gliders, possums, kangaroos, wallabies, etc as pets unless you're a registered wildlife carer.
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:57 pm
LonesLover Why are they illegal in some places? Depends on the Place... Some places don't allow them (like around Australia) because they may be taken from the WILD and sold which is WRONG WRONG WRONG. Illegal pet trade like that is dangerous. It is dangerous to the wild population keeping up the numbers. It is dangerous to the individuals caught. Many die in shipping and are mistreated! And it is dangerous to the pet population who may have different immunities than wild ones, but when introduced to each other may infect one another. NEVER SUPPORT WILD CAUGHT PET TRADE!!! Other places do not allow gliders because of the area... For instance, if an area depends on a fruit population and somebody brings in a thousand fruit loving suggies and they escape... uh oh. Others, well, they are scared of what they do not know. And gliders are relatively unknown. Regardless of which way things end up for a glider LEGALLY or in your family PERSONALLY... GET KNOWLEDGE. That is HUGE. Get Knowledge. Arius Shadow I've been wanting a pair of them for some time now... They're absolutely precious... But right now I have a pair of twin baby rats that need to be hand-trained I can't deal with sugar gliders, too... X.x;;; Hopefully some time in the near future, though... ^_^ Yeah, I would DEFINITELY not try to bond with gliders and rats the same time. Talk about more than a hand full! There is a time for everything. Good luck with your twinners! Queen of the Jungle as an Australian, I actually don't agree with the idea of sugar gliders. I don't like the idea of any of the native wildlife being kept as pets. I believe they're called wildlife for a reason and as such belong in the wild. but each to his own. so long as you care for them properly and they are captive bred, not wild caught, keep whatever wild animal you wish. as it happens in Australia, it's pretty much illegal to keep sugar gliders, possums, kangaroos, wallabies, etc as pets unless you're a registered wildlife carer. VERY good point! And in fact, I would just die if I didn't know the CAPTIVE genealogies of my gliders SEVERAL generations back! Also, from my perspective, I feel a similar disturbance when someone mentions a pet that is native HERE... raccoons, foxes, porcupines, etc.
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:21 pm
Kipluck For the most part You get OUT of gliders what you put into them. Gliders are high maintanence. But they are also intelligent and interesting. The more time you spend with them, the more bonded they will be to you. However, some general rules, with a few exceptions, gliders do like to cuddle but mostly they like to PLAY on you. They are not lap dogs. Most will not be happy to sit still. They want to chase feather teasers, jingle balls and fly onto your head from high shelves. They are NOT kid pets, by the way. In general, it depends on the glider how "cuddley" they are but a LOT depends on you and your bonding with them. They may bit at first... TAKE THE BITE. Bribe them. Spend TIME with them. Lots more, but those are the basics. Thanks for the info, what little I have already read on, mentioned the bonding part as being very important. I must admit in some ways that attracts me. Yes, I know it will be a lot of work, but it is one of those relationships where you just know it will be time well spent. I'm thinking about doing some research on them maybe this Christmas vacation when I finally get a break from college. I'm do to be finishing up my schooling at the end of Spring, and am so do for a new animal. It seems like the last six/seven years I have gotten no new animals (outside mantises) because I knew my going away to school would be a sticking point. XP Speaking of the bonding though, and your other thread on vacationing, how are Sugar Gliders with other people. Are they a pet you can introduce to your friends without worrying about stressing the little guys out, or does it take a lot of bonding with people outside of you to let them safely interact?
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:32 pm
Kipluck Queen of the Jungle as an Australian, I actually don't agree with the idea of sugar gliders. I don't like the idea of any of the native wildlife being kept as pets. I believe they're called wildlife for a reason and as such belong in the wild. but each to his own. so long as you care for them properly and they are captive bred, not wild caught, keep whatever wild animal you wish. as it happens in Australia, it's pretty much illegal to keep sugar gliders, possums, kangaroos, wallabies, etc as pets unless you're a registered wildlife carer. VERY good point! And in fact, I would just die if I didn't know the CAPTIVE genealogies of my gliders SEVERAL generations back! Also, from my perspective, I feel a similar disturbance when someone mentions a pet that is native HERE... raccoons, foxes, porcupines, etc. I actually find it humorous when people jump on others for their type of choice in pets. Yes, I defenitly don't condone catching wild animals for pets. At the same time, I don't have the problem with breeders who know what their doing, join in the process of domesticating wild animals. I mean people all the time get all big eyed at the mention of keeping wolves, but that is what our ancestors did originally to get dogs. As long as people do the neccessary research, and don't endanger the wild population, I don't have a problem with it. My Mantises are essentially wild. Yes I ordered the egg casses from a site, but there is no selective breeding involved. Course most people buy this little guys to release in their gardens to help cut down on pest insects. XD
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