Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so I work at a store and we have these gliders. I have been taking care of them since I started so I know some of the basics. Anywho my boss asks me if I would like them and I am of corse happy to. So what I'm asking I guess is this...

I would like to get more information on how to take care of the little guys. Just go over the basics so I know for sure that I'm doing everything right. For example cage size, handleing reccomendations, diet, ect. This is also a breeding pair so if it's possible I would like to know how to properly care for the young. The parents had a habbit of rejecting the young and none of us know why. They were kept away from the front of the store where everyone walks through and they had a good diet. Anyways could someone just cover the basics with me please? I would really appreciate the help.

Thanks!

What is the diet they have been on? Only reason I can think of rejection is improper diet or bred too young.... How old are they? Rejection in gliders doesnt happen often. Are we sure they are not related? Another reason for rejection is something is wrong with the babies. YOu may not see it, but they can tell. If they are related then that is a possiblity. At what STAGE are they rejecting?
As far as cage size it can vary depending who you talk to . If you are looking to go by standards to get a liscence I believe for a breeding pair the cage has to be ppretty big. 4X4 ft is what I was told a few years ago...I am blanking on what those people are called...the ones who give you the permit..sorry. However I have seen gliders living happily (or seems happy) in 2X2 bird cages.... brining up another possibility of rejection..what is thier cage size?
The bigger the better with these guys. They also need a pouch or nest box. Branches are a great plus. Not everyone uses lighting. Just a normal room light. And gliders seem to like a small night light by the cage at night. They are nocturnal so I shouldnt think they need any sunlight.
Fresh fruits, vegis and source of protien on a daily basis. Low citrus fruits are best. Apples and bananas are great. They also like grapes ALOT, but I was told by annother long time breeder that he thought that grapes MIGHT have a bad effect because of some research on dogs..dunno if it does or not. I never had problems, nor had he. It's just precautionary. Sweet potatoe, boiled chicken, hard boiled eggs, cat food, meal worms are all good sources of protien..just dont over do it. And only give nuts of any kind as ocasional treats. They can get fat easily which can lead to paralisis. and death. And lastly, a mixture of half water half juice (usually apple works best) mixed with HUMAN rice cereal BABY FOOD, mixed to about a yogurt texture, is GREAT extra minerals and vitamins especially or breeding pairs and weaning babies.
So questions to help you with your rejection problem are:
A: What size cage are they in?
B: At what stage are they being rejected?
C: What have they been getting fed?
D: Are you sure they are not related?
Hope to be of help

Well the cage is about 2 X 3 high to my knowlage *I will have a bigger enclosure for them soon ^_^*. As for the diet they get alot of veggies and fruit whenever I can get some in. We also gave them yogert and meal/Superworms along with some calcium *one site recomended this*. They also get this one type of bird food... I'm not sure what brand it is but it's not a seed formula. As for what stage there rejecting the young I think it's at about 5 weeks. I'm fairly sure there not related.

Thanks for all the info so far zoolady. It has helped so far as I know ^_^. I know roughly what I can do to make them more comfortabe!

Cage sounds fine. Course bigger the better. So if your going bigger that is great. Especially if your breeding.
Watch out on the yogurt feeding... Though I fed mine yogurt treats it was said to be a no no on a regular basis because of the lactose...Unless you can find a lactose free yogurt? Just a thought.
Are they rejecting 5 weeks IN the pouch? Or 5 weeks OOP? Eyes open or closed? fur or no fur?..... Once the babies come out of the pouch the parents will leave them in thier pouch (the one you provide) or nest box while they eat and do stuff... If they are rejecting but not killing the babies and eating them I wouldnt think its a diet thing... if it were the diet they would eat the babies as well... The babies could be sick for some reason... temp too cold, or genetic problems.
Hopefully with them in your care and perhaps being cared for better they will have better luck...
Make sure the fruits nad vegis are on a daily basis. You cant feed them only now and again. As this is thier main diet needed to be fresh daily. They have high metabolisms and burn right through thier food each night.
Best of luck.