Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here to visit Classifieds
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

thinkin about getting a glider

jeffevens Jul 06, 2009 11:29 PM

hey guys im thinking about getting a glider. ive never owned one befor so i have a few questions, ive been reading through a lot of the posts on this forum but i didnt see one about outdoor caging.

so my first question, is it ok to keep them in an outside cage? where i live it does get really hot in the summer (like in the hundreds!)is that to hot? it doesnt get to cold in the winter like at night the coldest it ever gets is maybe in the low 40ies, is that too cold?

my second question is, is it ok to just own one? and if i do get two would that make it less likely for them to bond with me? i dont know about gliders but ive heard that with birds if you keep 2 together they will bond with each other and although they can still be nice to you they wont really bond to you, is this true at all let alone with gliders?

my third question, once they bond with you is it ok to take them outside, or will they try to run away from you? and do they like to be pet/touched or are they more like my rat that just likes to do its own thing and run all over you?

and last but not least, is it true that they will pee and poo on you every time you take them out to play? i wouldnt really mind if they do, that just means i couldnt really take them places with me unless they stayed in their pouch the whole time.

any help will be greatly appreciated! =]

Replies (3)

Danne Oct 16, 2009 11:56 AM

I'm getting a pair on Saturday, you should check out some more sites on your own and do some research. They're not like rabbits which evolved in Europe among other places, they're from Australia and Indonesia. Those are very warm places, not only do they need to be in room temperature protected from outdoor elements, they also need a hear rock or heat lamp in one area of the cage to keep them warm.

As with rats, mice, gerbils and many exotics of similar size, having only one is never recommended. In the wild they live in groups of sizes up to 40 individuals, and it's really not fair to them that you're asleep for most of the time they're awake and they'll be lonely for most of their lives.

Do a lot of research on this site as well as others. Here are some videos I suggest as a new parent as well - http://www.youtube.com/user/sugarglidervet

That channel has some great care videos, including information on potty training, diet, cage size, etc. He's the top suggie vet in the US, so I'd definitely listen to what he's got to say. Good luck in your suggie education! I hope they prove to be the right pet for you.

lovesongrequiem Dec 15, 2009 01:27 AM

Oh wow, you know nothing about Gliders, do you?

It is not okay to keep Glider's outside. They are small animals and predators can easily harm them and they can become ill and insects will bother them and wound them. Sugar Glider's need to be kept warm in the winter, they even sell products to keep by the cage to keep your Gliders warm. Pet Gliders should not be put outside. If you plan to do this, do not get one.

Second, no you cannot own just one Glider. This is very selfish. Picture some strange, giant creature taking you away and hiding you away in it's cave somewhere and without any human contact for the rest of your life. This is how it is with Gliders. They are extremely, extremely, extremely social pets. They need a lot of attention. They live in colonie's of at least six gliders or more. They can become extremely depressed without another Glider or any attention. Depression leads to a fatal death.

Once they are bonded with you, yes it is okay to take them with you wherever you go. Many Glider owners put them in the bonding pouch or in pockets and carry their gliders with them throughout the day. They are nocturnal so they are asleep during the day while you do your business, but they will wake up at night time. Sugar Glider's bond very close to their owner. Once they're bonded, they will always come straight back to you. They love to run all over you and they love hiding in your pockets, climbing on your back, on your head, etc. but depending on the gliders personality, they can also be very calm and loving and enjoy sitting aruond on you and being pet or hanging out in the bonding pouch with you.

Yes Sugar Gliders do pee and poo on you. They have no bowl control which means that they are impossible to potty train. Usually when Gliders first wake up, like anybody, they will go to the bathroom. Wait for them to go to the bathroom, wait a little longer to make sure that they are finished, then let them out. It's unavoidable, they will go to the bathroom on you, but it can sort of be prevented. Sometimes they mark places and you with their urine.

Also Gliders need a special diet. You can't buy their food at a pet store. Their diets need to be vet approved. I'd recommend looking up the popular sugar glider diets and using those. BML and HPW are the most used diets for Gliders. It gives them everything that they need to stay healthy. Make sure that you are making the diet correctly though, or they will stink very badly if you're feeding them poorly, or they can get sick. There's also a chance your Glider can get HLP (Hing Leg Paralysis) if you don't feed it correctly. Basically, they drag the back of their legs around because they're unable to walk. HLP is caused by a lack of calcium in the diet. So bad diets are extremely fatal to gliders compared to most pets.

Also when you get pouches, make sure they're made of top quality fleece. If gliders get their tail or legs caught in the strings, chances of your Glider severely harming itself and losing a leg or a tail is great. They also tend to chew and swallow on the strings, which is also bad for them as well. You need to clean the pouches and let them air dry to keep them in the best shape. You also should replace them after a while to make sure they're not worn out. Gliders need to be checked on to make sure they're not harming themself.

IvorySerpent Dec 29, 2009 06:51 PM

Hello,

Lots to learn, but no one ever knew it all from the start, right?

I would not ever keep them outside, they are safer inside at comfortable temps with us.

They are very social animals and do live in large groups in the wild.......but you can keep just one. If you choose to do that, you MUST make sure that you devote plenty of time to that single glider though. They will bond with you whether you have one or more. You are their safety zone. They are nocturnal, so they will be active at night......are you willing and able to spend at least 3 hours each night playing with your single glider?

I take my babies with me often when I go out of the house, they are in a secure bonding pouch and I make sure to take treats and water for them on extended outings. They do pee & poo on you sometimes, but it isn't too bad and as long as you have some paper towels on hand, it's easy cleaning.

They do take some specialized care, but most pets do. If you are willing to go all out for them and learn how to care for them....the rewards are amazing. I have 13 of them living in 4 different cages. I also have a Genji tent that I break out nightly for "TentTime" playing. I make my own sleeping & bonding pouches as well as plenty of toys to spoil them with.

This is SugarMama (on my knee), KaniNobe(their son) & SugarDaddy during tent time.....

And SugarMama on my knee enjoying a mealworm......

And here is Boudica with Duckee riding piggyback (can only see Duckee's nose).....

Site Tools