anyone have a sugar glider for a pet?

Question

I seen sugar gliders for sale today at the flee market, and I like them. I am considering buying one in the future, but I am gonna first research more info on how hard the are to care for and if they truely make a good pet? How much they cost, a fair price? How hard they are to tame? Anything special I should know before purchasing them, I am looking for any input that other owners can tell me.

Answer 1

Just to clarify, they are NOTHING like any rodent, be it a hampster or rat or whatever. Sugar gliders are fantastic pets and do well in captivity if well taken care of because they can naturally bond to humans. Keyword here is can - I have 5 and only two actually bonded to me. The others tolerate me but wont let me hold them...

They have very specific dietery needs and are allergic to several things like mint and certain woods. They need constant attention - I carry mine in a bonding pouch for hours during the day, and at night they have playtime with me in a tent set up in the house with toys. They need a large cage, AT LEAST 4' tall, but the taller the better. Also, they can live for 15 years in captivity. Vet bills can be pricey since they are an exotic, and you will want to verify that they are legal in your state (Georgia and California I know they are illegal)... I hope that helps some, and as someone mentioned before me, check out http://www.sugarglider.net - it's a really helpful site.

Answer 2

I own 3 awesome sugar gliders! They are so wonderful and loving! they are kind of high maintenance compared to a hampster or chinchilla though. They need to be on a good balanced diet. Have a large and tall cage (my cage is 7 feet wide 3 feet deep and 6 feet high! but i am a bit excessive)
They are best kept in pairs and they are nocturnal! I would suggest going to www.sugarglider.net and look around on their links page. If you sign up (it's free) they are really good about answering your questions and very promptly. As with any pet you should research how to care for them and their needs. Good luck!

Answer 3

I did once, his name was Rocky, but he escaped from it's cage and was never seen again. To care for one is basically like taking caring for a hamster...that flies. We actually found him when he was a wee baby. He must have fallen from his nest. We tried to contact fish and game or the wild life people, can't remember which, but they didn't want to take him, so we kept him. A very neat pet. We made a tall cylinder cage and put a tree limb in there, and a plastic container with dirt at the bottom. Though, we frequently let him out and climb all over the house. If you decide to get one, I suggest you keep the cage securely fastened, and keep plenty of wood things for it to chew. Rocky would undo the latches on his cage, though all we used were hooks, like you find on dog leashes only they were plastic. Good luck!

Answer 4

I dont like to think of sugar gliders being kept in cages, even if they are bred in captivity.They arnt like hamsters, but like to race thru the trees, in search of nectar and fruit.

Answer 5

This is an excerpt from the department of sustainability & environment (Australia) (see: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/index.htm)

" Like all other native animals, possums are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. They must not be harmed in any way or kept without an authority from the Department of Primary Industries/Department of Sustainability and Environment.


It is illegal to handle or interfere with possums except when they are in your roof, or other buildings.
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Possums can only be trapped in appropriate traps by the householder or a licensed wildlife controller.
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Trapped possums must be released that day on the same property, in their own territory, within 50 metres of the capture site.
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If this is not practical, they can be taken to a registered veterinarian to be killed humanely, at your expense.
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Breaching any of these regulations carries a penalty of up to $5,000. There is no other legal avenue to deal with possums. Relocating possums is both illegal and inhumane. "



Incase you still decide to go for it, please visit this site before you finalise. The page lists all the drawbacks of having one... starting from space,.. to odour, to food, to reproduction...


http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?PetDrawbacks


They are wild animals & look better in the wild. Why not plant more trees in your area that might attract them & have them come to you, rather than force & imprison them in a cage? We have one planet & we have only one chance.

Answer 6

Yes... it died