01/10/2022
Glider cheat sheet for new/ future owners.
-what you can expect from a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder will be your biggest mentor. They will not let a Joey leave their home before 8 weeks out of pouch (oop) minimum. 8-12 weeks oop is standard.
It is not uncommon for breeders to take deposits to hold your joeys, it does not mean they are scamming you but you do want to check into your breeder before sending money! Your breeder should neuter any non breeding males prior to them leaving their care, a few breeders will have a neuter contract where you are responsible for neutering males within a certain time frame, but regardless any males not intended for breeding should be neutered one way or the other.
-diet
Gliders require special staple diets that provide them with all the nutrients they need. There are several staple diets to choose from, that are balanced to suit gliders specifically.
Toxic foods include:
Chocolate
Canned products (contain excess salt and other unhealthy ingredients)
Garlic
Onions
Rhubarb
Wild insects
-water sources
It is important to always have 2 water sources in each cage. Gliders can dehydrate very quickly, and it is a quick killer. In the event a water source is dirty or malfunctioning there is always a back up for them. Good water sources can include bottles, silos, and bowls.
-cage items
All cage items should be purchased through a tested and approved vendor. Approved vendors are guaranteed to know how to sew for gliders in a safe way. Amazon items are not typically safely made for gliders.
-vetting
It is important to immediately get established with an exotics vet. Things can and will go wrong with these little guys out of now where. Gliders do not get shots or regularly scheduled exams like a dog or a cat would but it is important to have your vet do wellness checks and fecals now and again.
-bonding
Bonding with sugar gliders is a very rewarding experience. Some take no time at all to warm up and others can seem like they will never bond. (But they will). Bonding is dependent on each gliders individual personality. The best ways to get started with bonding is offering safe and healthy treats when you interact with them. This encourages them to associate your hands with something positive! Another tried and true method is carrying them in a bonding pouch during the day while they sleep! And finally tent time! Most gliders love tent time. You can find cheap mosquito net tents on Amazon that are large enough for you to get inside with them and let them play in a safe way while getting used to your presence!
-Mentors
Several groups have free mentor programs. Don’t be shy to ask for help that is what we are here for!
-Cage
Cages should have ample space for jumping and playing. Bar spacing should be no more than 1/2 inch as these babies are escape artists and will squeeze out of anything larger!
-Breeding
It is recommended to own gliders for a year at minimum to learn general care and husbandry before diving into breeding. A lot goes into breeding aside from just letting the animals reproduce. Things can and do go wrong and you need to be prepared for any outcome.
-lineage
Lineage is how we track background on the gliders to ensure their offspring are happy and healthy! This also ensures the parents are not related, which can cause issues for the babies. Consider this like pedigree for dogs.
-introductions
Introductions can be easy or hard. You never really know until you are in it! The best way to start is to pouch swap. This entails letting each glider dirty up their pouch and then switching them, giving the opposite pouch to each glider so they are able to get used to each other’s scent. After awhile of this you will start introducing them in a neutral area such as a bath tub or a tent. You will take away all pouches except for a fresh clean one and you let them check each other out. A little crabbing and chasing is normal, but if they form a ball and are biting each other it is important to intervene and back up to the previous step. After several positive encounters in a neutral space it is time to deep clean the cage you plan to use. You’ll want to remove any smell from the glider previously living in it. Once the cage is neutral you can put them together but be sure to keep a close eye out for a day or two to make sure they are getting along.
