Animals - Sugar Gliders - Great Pocket Pets

The sugar glider, or Petaurus Breviceps, is a very small tree dwelling (arboreal) marsupial. Other marsupials include kangaroos and possums. Sugar gliders are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and Tasmania. Most marsupials carry their young in a pouch where they grow and develop and sugar gliders are no exception. Sugar gliders got this unique name because they love sweet foods and also because they can glide over 165 feet! They glide by launching themselves off trees and opening their gliding membrane, known as the patagium. This membrane stretches from their wrists to their ankles.

If you are thinking of purchasing one of these "pocket pets" there are a few things you should consider. Be aware that sugar gliders can live from ten to fifteen years in captivity so be sure that you will be able to care for your pet that long. Also, gliders are very social animals so if you can, you should get two. If you only get one, you will need to spend at least two hours a day with it.

Sugar gliders are nocturnal, which means they are only active at night. If you can't spend time with them at night then this may not be the pet for you. During the day they just want to sleep. You will have to feed and play with them when they wake up.

Sugar gliders cannot be kept in small cages, they are very active and love to jump and glide. They will need a cage at least 18" X 18" X 36". The taller the cage is the better, because they love to climb. The wire of the cage should not be galvanized wire because it can cause urinary tract infections in the gliders. A great type of wire to use is powder coated wire. The bar spacing of the wire should not be larger than half an inch. When you get the cage, choose a location that isn't too noisy during the day so that they can sleep. Also, put the cage in a room that has windows so that they know what time of the day it is. However, do not put the cage in direct sunlight.

Inside the cage you will need to put a place for them to sleep. Fleece pouches are highly recommended. Fleece is the safest material to use for gliders. Sugar gliders have been known to get their nails caught in other materials. You should also get a variety of toys for the cage. Some suggestions for toys are ladders, bells, swings, ropes and perches. Just make sure none of the toys have small pieces that could be swallowed.

Sugar gliders also have very specialized diets so make sure you will have the time to prepare their food every day. They are not a pet that can be left alone for days; they must have constant care. If you go on vacation you will either need to bring them with you or find a dependable person to care for them while you are gone. There are many proven diets for sugar gliders and you should do research on each diet and decide which one is best for you. Some examples of great diets are BML, Darcy's diet, the Sugar Glider Exotic Diet and the Suncoast diet.

Also, you will need to find a vet in your area that treats sugar gliders. Not all vets will treat sugar gliders because they are considered an exotic pet. Sugar gliders do not require any shots, but you should bring them to the vet for yearly checkups. Because they are considered to be exotic, some states will not even allow them. Make sure that they are legal in your area. Some states in which they are illegal are Hawaii, Alaska, California, Georgia and Massachusetts.

One of the things people love most about sugar gliders is the strong bond they form with their owners. If you spend time with them every day, they will become very bonded to you and will not want to leave you. In order to help your pet bond with you, you can carry your glider in a bonding pouch or your pocket during the day while it sleeps. Just make sure your glider can't get out. Sugar gliders are very scent oriented and will need to get used to your scent. Carrying your sugar glider around during the day will help it get used to your scent. You can periodically offer your pet treats so that it associates you with good things. At night, you can let your sugar glider out into a room that is closed off from the rest of the house. Make sure that they cannot get out of this room and that the room doesn't contain anything that could hurt your glider. Check the room for any holes, cover electrical sockets, remove any harmful chemicals and make sure nothing in the room can hurt them. If you don't have a safe room to let them out into, you can purchase a camping tent and play with them in there. Eventually, your glider will bond with you; it just needs to learn to trust you.

Sugar gliders make wonderful pets if you have the time to care for them. If you spend lots of time with them they will form a strong bond with you different than any other animal. Sugar gliders are very playful, active and inquisitive. They are a true joy to watch. Just be sure you have the time and patience for them.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Animals

Pets – Enriching Our Lives Beyond Measure

Sharing our lives with our four-footed companions as well as other pets teach kindness and compassion to us all, and especially our children.

We’ve shared our lives with numerous animals through the years, and as I’ve watched my son grow, I know his kind and considerate nature is due in large part to the pets we’ve enjoyed. Not only do our pets exude warmth and unconditional love, but they take us out of ourselves with a soft nudge for attention, or a happy bark inviting us to play Frisbee out in the fresh air.

I remember as a child waking up to a tiny black puppy licking my face. My parents had purchased a small, mixed breed dog for my sister and I and we adored him with all our hearts. He was so car sick during the ride home, combined with his various other quirks, that my Mom had said, “My goodness, you seem to be a bundle of ‘Troubles.’” The name stuck and his nickname soon became “Trubby.” My Dad called him the best shortstop he’d ever seen because he could catch the line drives my father threw against the low rock wall with ease – no matter how fast and furious they came in his direction. As with any family, we had our share of emotional turmoil. It was Trubby’s loving and affectionate nature that helped to smooth over the jagged edges of my childhood.

Our pets can speed our healing physically as well as emotionally. Just the other day, when I’d come down with the flu, my Australian shepherd named Jesse stayed on or near my bedside, waiting patiently for me to recover. Just having his warm, soft fur alongside me seemed to ease my discomfort.

There have been many a time when life’s harsh realities have impinged on the otherwise peaceful atmosphere in our home. But through our animal companions’ steadfast love and devotion, we’ve been guided to a peaceful resolution.

Our lives are immeasurably enriched by our animal companions. Could it be they’re really angels in disguise?

ฉ Connie Bowen

Note: this article may be re-published freely as long as the following resource box is included at the end of the article and as long as you link to the URL mentioned in the resource box:

Pet Portrait Artist, and Professional Illustrator Connie Bowen creates stunning pet portrait paintings on canvas from photos. Specializing in capturing the spiritual nature of dogs, cats, horses and other animals in a realistic fashion with impressionistic backgrounds as seen on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s TV show, Art Beat. Over 200 pet portraits completed and counting! Visit http://www.conniebowen.com to view exquisite samples.

Pets And Dating

Are you concerned about how to handle your pets and dating? Do you have pets you adore but are worried about how your future dates will react to them? What should you do to prepare for the issue of pets and dating?

Recently, I received this letter from a reader:

Dear Tonja,

I met a guy and I thought we hit it off. After several dates, I mentioned I had two cats. He told me that he was allergic to cats...but that he still wanted to come over. He came over for a couple of hours, left, and I never heard from him again. Now he won't return my calls. What should I do?

Confused Cat Lover

If you have ever had an experience like the above person, or were confused about how your cats or dogs left an impression on another, review the following five tips:

*Learn from the experience of someone telling you they are allergic

You can't salvage a relationship that won't return your calls, but maybe you can save the next one before it starts. Have some of your best friends come over and ask them to tell you what they see, feel and smell in your living space that others might find offensive.

*The Kitty-Litter Box

Does the litter box have an odor? It will if it hasn't been changed in a few days. You may not notice it because you are used to the smell but a sensitive allergic person could have a reaction to it.

*Cat hair and dog hair

Check your car, sofa, chairs, and clothes. If they have dog or cat hair on them, get your animals groomed and have their hair cut close. Following that, get a large roll of tape and remove the hair. If your animal is never going to stop shedding and if you don't care, find another person who doesn't care either.

*Clutter

People who are relaxed about their pets might have a tendency to also be relaxed about housekeeping in general. If you have dirty dishes and dirty clothes piled up everywhere, that alone might be a turn off to a future date. Get yourself organized and cleaned up before you invite a date over. Your life will feel so much better.

*Pet monarchs

Does your pet rule your house? Do they get to sit anywhere, eat off your plate, sleep in your bed, bark as often and as loudly as they want, and tear the place up when you leave? If your pet is in control of you rather than the other way around, a new date may feel intimidated.

Perhaps one of your requirements for a future love is that they feel the same way you do about your pets.

And if your pet is well-behaved, loving, and welcoming to guests, any new date will be lucky to have them in their life.

Visit http://www.tonjaweimer.com or http://www.singlesdatingtips.com
for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single's coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer.

Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.)