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INTRODUCTION

With the face of an opossum, the stripe of a skunk, the tail and ears of a squirrel, the fur of a rabbit, the body of a flying squirrel, the fingers of a monkey and the thumb of a frog, how can you possibly resist the strange and compelling allure of these small creatures? Sugar Gliders certainly appear to be hybrid creatures.

Native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, these tiny exotic animals known as Sugar Gliders have become very popular pets in North America. They are a marsupial, and as babies, or joeys, are cared for by their mothers in a pouch. After about 8 to 12 weeks OOP, or their growing and being out of the pouch, they are ready to be weaned and put into a new home.

The population of these little guys has blossomed greatly in the last twenty years to the point where information on them has become somewhat skewed and confused. So many breeders are fighting for the position at the top of the selection list now. This situation has made it to where a lot of the information out there right now is false or assumed without the proper authorization of true veterinary specialists.

AS PETS

So what makes these Sugar Gliders so popular as pets? As social creatures, if bonded properly, Sugar Gliders can make fantastic companions. They can be extremely loving and quite like a small child, be very dependent on their human parents for attention and care. They live just as long if not longer than the average dog, at about 10-15 years, if cared for properly.

CARING FOR A GLIDER PET

Numbers: First of all, Gliders are not best kept as a solitary pet. They thrive in pairs or small groups of three or four. Some people may even keep a colony of up to six gliders. However, Sugar Gliders need the best of care, no matter their numbers.

Housing: Their housing must be very large. For two gliders, a space of no less than 24 inches wide, by 18 inches deep, by 36 inches tall is recommended. Gliders like to climb and jump around. For that, they need a lot of space. You must make sure that the materials that their cages are made from are not anything that they may be allergic to. They will need toys, food dishes, a water bottle, and either a nesting box, sleeping pouch, or a hammock.

Diet: Gliders need a staple diet, which are called "approved diets". These staples, such as a pellet food, a moist mix recipe, or another form, can be found on many websites or you may speak with your veterinarian. On top of this staple diet, Gliders

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