by Jerica Collins

Created on: August 28, 2009

Flying Squirrels are amazing pets. Whether you have a Southern flyer or a Northern flyer, both generally need the same basic requirements. First and foremost before getting a flyer be sure they are legal in your area as many places either have made it illegal to own them or require a permit. Don't take the chance that your flyer will be taken away.

Housing

A flying squirrel requires a cage that is at least 18" x 18" x 24" tall and wire spacing must be no bigger than 1/2" or these little guys can potentially escape, especially if you have a weanling. The bigger and taller the cage the better. These guys also like some privacy, especially being nocturnal they enjoy a nest box (roughly one that is 5" x 5" x 5") and even little fabric pouches hung in their cage. Adding some cotton, aspen shavings, and even hay will make a nice cozy little place for your pet to sleep in. At the bottom of the cage it is best to place some aspen bedding, or even rabbit or rodent food pellets as they work as an absorbent bedding as well and will not hurt the flyer if he chooses to nibble on it. Other accessories to the cage should be a water bottle or dish, some food dishes, and a wheel preferably attached to the cage and without spokes. Branches, perches, hemp ropes and shelves will also help your little one get some exercise and being a squirrel they love to climb so they will gratefully use them.

Bonding

Give plenty of bonding and out of cage time to keep your flyer tame and friendly. Using bonding pouches during the day when he/she sleeps to carry him around and play time out of the cage in the evening when he's active will ensure a close bond. Starting young is the best way to bond, but older flyers can be tamed as well if they were captive born and raised (please do not ever purchase a wild flyer, pup or adult, it is not right to take these animals from the wild and many do not make good pets). Hand feeding bits of food can also help form a bond. Generally speaking a flyer bonds very well to their person and often enjoys some time spent on the shoulder or in pockets when not gliding or climbing around the room.

Gnawing Needs

Being rodents, flying squirrels have a need to gnaw and wear down their ever growing teeth. You must provide wood, cuttlebones, or mineral blocks or a variety of these to allow your squirrelly to do this. Providing in-shell nuts will help with this as well. Cuttlebones are another option for something to chew on and also provide calcium. Overgrown teeth

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