SUGAR GLIDER, NEED INFO, Help!!!!!!?

Question

How can I train my sugar glider, to jump person to person, or to glide?? OR to do neat tricks??

Also, I'm really scared, because every where it says that youn need 2 s. gliders or else the one is going to die is it true??

Also, I'm really scared, because every where it says that youn need 2 s. gliders or else the one is going to die is it true??

Answer 1

Hi there again...if your received your sugar glider when it was very young, it can be easier to tame and train than an older one who becomes set in their ways. Ideally, it is best to begin with a bonding pouch so that it feels comfortable with you. A bonding pouch is also ideal to carry your glider with you so it becomes accustomed to your body scents as well as hear your voice: http://www.exoticnutrition.com/sugar-glider-pouches.htm Most gliders are not apt to jump from person to person if they are not secure in their environment or with their primary caretaker. Rather than will jump and run away so this isn't something which should be done if your glider hasn't bonded with you first.

Once you are sure that your glider is bonded with you to begin training it to jump from person to person stand shoulder-to-shoulder and have your sugar gliders favourite treats on each shoulder. It will learn to travel between each person to find it's treats. Next, take a small step apart where your glider needs to hop over onto the next person's shoulder for the treat and continue spreading yourselves far enough apart where the glider can still land safely between each of you.

Here are some websites which shows you how to train your glider: http://www.ncagr.com/vet/AnimalWelfarePacket.htm
http://www.critterconnection.cc/Animals/animals-sugargliders.htm#TRAIN

Again, it won't die, rather if it doesn't receive social attention at least a couple hours on a daily basis it will become depressed and as a result of the depression could die. Ideally, sugar gliders do better if they can have a mate as they naturally social animals. Sugar gliders are social animals and in the wild they live in groups of 12 - 20 together which is why it is recommended to have sugar gliders kept in pairs or more.

Here are some answers I provided to another person who needed assistance with sugar glider care which contains several weblinks on sugar gliders care and help. I hope you will please consider visiting these website which are very helpful in understanding the needs of sugar gliders and providing them the best of care:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtQewHdylQuzoYyWEvArgf0jzKIX?qid=20061220072153AAFrPGm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ar_K0bAI0FnjdKnW4J4jg4sjzKIX?qid=20061122150701AAG50CI

Furthermore, for sugar glider help consider joining the free sugar glider discussion Yahoo groups:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/sugargliders/?yguid=106645123 (471 members) and
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/-Sugar-Glider-Talk-/?yguid=106645123 (417 members)

Both groups have people each group to not only exchange ideas about their sugar gliders, but also find support to best care for sugar gliders.

Answer 2

I had never heard of a Sugar Glider until you asked this question. I just looked it up and it's so cute! It looks kind of like a fury bat. How in the world do you keep one of these as a pet?? Where do they stay? I am very interested.

Answer 3

Have you bonded with your sugar glider? That's the most important part of getting them comfortable enough to do anything. Don't worry, they already know how to glide, they just need to bond with you and get comfortable with their surroundings.

All the research I've seen encourages that you get 2 sugar gliders because their social animals that get depressed if left by themselves. Talk to your breeder/vet, they should be able to give you much better answers to your questions than me.

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Ok, that last poster just pasted a bunch of info nothing to do with your question... I know a good reward for sugar gliders is gatoraide, mealworms or applesauce- ours love them.
For getting to glide- all you need to do is drop them to see that (make sure it is over a soft pillow in case for some reason they don't). The should put out their patagium and glide to safety.

For person to person, get something to dispense the applesauce in and have them only see that with the food in. If they see the other person (who they have to feel comfortable with) has the dropper, they should jump over there. Reward them and take it back to you, they should jump back. Start with very short distances, only shoulder to shoulder, and then gradually increase the distance. Only work on it in short periods- 2-3 times back and forth and that is it for a training session so they think it is fun and don't get bored.

Answer 5

Look into clicker training. There are no clicker books specifically for sugar gliders (that I know of!), but you can buy a book or read a website for clicker training dogs and the same principles will apply. ANY kind of animal can be taught withi clicker training; the only thing you'll need to do is figure out a good reward that you can dole out easily. For my ferrets, I use a dropper bottle with Ferretone, which they love. If there's something similar that your gliders love, that's what you can use.

Answer 6

as far as needing two, what i have heard is that you should get a second if you won't be able to give your one lots and lots of attention... they are super social and without attention and affection and such, they get really sad and depressed and eventually sick. i had a friend that carried his around in a pouch around his neck for at least a few hours a day, they just like to be near someone/thing else.

Answer 7

Sugar gliders have become a popular exotic pet. They are small and relatively easy to care for, and have a cute if not unusual appearance. As with any other exotic pet, a potential owner should be aware of their care requirements and personality before acquiring a sugar glider. Sugar gliders are illegal in some places so you will need to check the laws where your live.

Natural History
Sugar Gliders are marsupials; that is their young start life off in a pouch (like a kangaroo). They originally hail from Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, and live in forests. Their name is derived from their diet (in part they feed on nectar and the sap of eucalyptus), and from the flap of skin they have between their wrists and ankles that allows them to glide between trees. They are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant material and meat - food in the wild include nectar, fruit, insects and even small birds or rodents.

They live in social family units in the wild, a trait which makes them inclined to bond well with their human family. However, if they are deprived of social interaction they will not thrive (in fact they can become depressed to the point where they may die).
Characteristics
Sugar gliders make endearing, playful, and entertaining pets. As mentioned above they are very social, and ideally they should be kept in pairs or groups, and in any case they should have a good deal of social interaction with their owners. They are fairly clean and do not have complex housing requirements. In addition, they tend to be fairly healthy (although it may be difficult to find an experienced vet to treat them) and can live to be 12-14 years in captivity. They do need a good amount of interaction (even if it is just riding around in a pocket all day), and aren't great housetraining candidates. Their nails are sharp and will scratch if they need to dig in while climbing or landing on you (keep them well trimmed). They also have sharp teeth and though not aggressive, will bite if they feel threatened or frightened. If not acquired tame and used to being handled, it may take a great deal of time and patience to get them to the point where they are cuddly.

Diet
Sugar Gliders do have fairly strict dietary requirements. The ideal diet for sugar glider is still a widely debated topic among keepers. For some recommended diets. A potential problem in sugar gliders is paralysis stemming from an imbalance of calcium to phosphorus in the diet (i.e. too low in calcium and/or high in phosphorus). This diesease (called nutritional osteodystrophy) can be prevented by proper diet and vitamin/mineral supplements.

Housing
As for housing, a cage of 24 by 24 inches, by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair. This is a minimum, though - bigger is better and for sugar gliders the height is more valuable than floor space. The cage wire should be no more than 1/2 inch wide, and horizontal cage bars allow climbing. The interior of the cage should provide lots of interest with toys, and exercise wheel, nest box and/or glider pouch. Branches, ropes and ladders provide lots of opportunity for climbing and exercise. For more details on cages and accessories for sugar gliders

Bonding
If a sugar glider is not tame when acquired, time, patience, and gentle frequent training sessions will eventually allow bonding of the glider to its owner. Gliders adore being near their owners, inside a shirt (hint wear two shirts and let the glider hang out between them, or else their claws will tickle or scratch!) or in a pocket. They will be lovely companions, who view you as an equal. Sugar gliders do not respond at all to punishment or domination, so treat them with respect, gentleness and understanding, and you will be rewarded with a devoted companion!
IMPORTANT!!!
DO NOT GIVE your Sugar Glider CHOCOLATE!! As with other animals, during digestion a toxin can be created. It may be harmful to Sugar Gliders as well, and certainly not worth the risk!
Training:
Yes, you can train your Sugar Glider in a couple different ways, to a certain extent. First of all, decide if you want a pet that stays on you at all times or, one that will freely roam your house. Once you have made this decision, you can begin training. If you want a personal Glider, you need to teach them to stay on your person. As you carry them around they may jump off. Gently pick them up and put them back on you or in a pocket until they settle down. It is ok to let them jump from person to person but not on the floor where they can run away from you. If you want one as a house pet, start in one small room and let him explore. Try to lure him back with treats and then let him continue to check out the room. After you have mastered the small room and feel comfortable calling him back, move on to a larger area. After awhile your pet will run off and explore, climb curtains, jump on you, and then take off again to play! I do not suggest in any way that these animals should have complete freedom in your house. They do need to be SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES when out of their cage.

NOTE: Make sure that your toilet lid and any other water holding devise is closed! I know of some Sugar Gliders that have drowned in an open toilet by jumping in and not being able to get out!

HEALTH

If your pet suddenly starts acting in ways that are not consistent with his "normal" behavior, it could be a sign of illness. Below is a list of general symptoms to look for. As always, if you suspect your glider is ill, take him to a vet. Gliders, especially, are very small and can quickly become dehydrated or past the point of recovery if they don't get medical attention immediately.

Symptoms Of An Ill Or Hurt Glider

1. Lack of appetite
2. Lethargy
3. Excessive coughing
sneezing
4. Vomiting or diarrhea
5. difficulty breathing
6. Dragging hind legs
7. loss of fur
8. Elevated or lowered temperature
Bonding