Facts
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:57
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 532
Sugar Gliders are small marsupials kin to possums found in the tree tops of Australia, Tasmania, Indonesia, and Papua-New Guinea. They came by their names from their diet of sweetened fruits and the ability to glide from branch to branch with their membrane flap from their arms to their body resembling retractable wings.
They are of the: Class: Mammalia; Subclass: Marsupialia; Order: Diprotodontia; Suborder: Phalangerida; Subfamily: Petauroidea; Family: Petauridae.
Commonly they are categorized as pocket pets from their loving nature and small size. They fall under marsupials not only because they pouch their young until mature enough to wing from their mother, but mainly by their means of reproduction (short gestation rendering the young reliant of the parent until it can develop to feed and withstand the climates on its own). Their young are referred to as joeys.
Adult Sugar Gliders measure from head to body in about 5-6 inches with the tail equaling the length. Males are usually large than females. They are usually grey with a rich cream colored underbelly. Noticeable characteristics include a dark strip running the full length of the body beginning between their eyes and following over their head. The end of their tails are usually black with full fur as it balances them while they move from branch to branch. Their ears are usually large with small short hair covering to none at all resembling radar dishes to the side of the head. They have extremely large eyes in relation the their head size that seem to bulge outward allowing for a wider field of vision in their nocturnal world. Their forefeet (hands) have five digits and have been referred to as human-like hands with claws. Their hind-feet also have five digits with an opposable toe for balance. However they also have a built in feature, with the second and third digit of the hind-feet fused together forming a grooming comb. They are very resourceful with what they are given.
Sugar Gliders live from 5-7 years in the wild and from 12-15 years in captivity
Shipping
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:57
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 869
The Georgia Sugar Glider Connection ships gliders throughout the United States. To ship a sugar glider, we charge the price for the airline ticket and for the shipping container.
Shipping by Continental Airlines is $200.00. Shipping by Delta Airlines is 265.00
Each Glider, or Glider pair, is placed in a shipping travel container with a supply of fresh apples for the journey. In addition, each new pet owner receives our printed instruction pamphlet .
Nutrition & Diet
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:56
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 616
There are 4 equal parts to a healthy Sugar Glider Diet Plan including a Fresh Diet, Dry Diet, Fresh Water, and a Calcium Supplement. We recommend a strict feeding schedule at the same time each day, usually in the afternoon or early evening when your glider wakes to begin its nocturnal lifestyle.
* A fresh diet of various fruits and vegetables are a wonderful choice. However, we strongly recommend you feed only one item per meal. This will help you monitor intake and favorite choices.
Apple Lettuce Peaches
Banana Melons Pears
Carrot Orange Peas
Grapes Papaya Sweet Potato
* Dry food items are considered free feed items and are usually readily available in the habitat at all times for your glider. Most acceptable dry food mixtures contain a 75% Fruit & Vegetable base, 15% protein base, and a 10% raw hull nut base.
* Some believe that cat food is good for dry food for a sugar glider, but it is not... Please DO NOT feed your sugar glider any cat food! Please limit nuts as special treats only, not as a daily diet. They should be hand fed to monitor their intake, not simply left in the cage.
* Fresh water is crucial. Sugar Gliders can become dehydrated quickly, even after one day. A fresh feed dispenser water bottle should remain in the cage at all times and changed frequently. Feed dispenser water bottles allow easy access to the fluids inside by simply nudging the nozzle. Fluids should only release a drop at a time. If you notice the bottle empties rapidly or leakage in the bottom of the cage, please replace the bottle quickly to avoid cage contamination.
*Although some recommend a water dish be added to the cage, we suggest only having one available in your presence because they can become easily contaminated if left alone during free play.
* A Calcium supplement is easily applied to wet foods. The Sugar Glider Connection highly recommends Rep-Cal. Food quick applications, we suggest replacing the container with a household salt shaker. It is easier to apply to fruits/vegetables and it will last 8-10 months.
Reading
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:56
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 475
Sugar Gliders by Caroline MacPherson
The Guide to Owning a Sugar Glider by Susan Fox
Sugar Gliders As Your New Pet by Dennis Kelsey-Wood
Online Links:
Coming Soon.....
Health Issues
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:53
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 549
A healthy Sugar Glider is easy to spot. Most veterinarians look for: bright eyes, moist pink nose, pink gums and membranes, the ability to grip with all four feet, clear ear canals, smooth fur coat free of parasites, good elasticity of the gliding membrane, feces free of parasites, a regular feeding schedule and documented diet history, and an active mobility.
Some visible concerns to you and your vet would be: obvious deformity in limbs, parasites, Blindness & Cataracts, White Mucus Disease, Hind End Paralysis, and lack or limited activity.
can be caused by improper healing of broken limbs or recent breaks. Accidents do happen in healthy gliders as well as aged gliders. Keeping a safe environment and regular calcium supplements are your best defense. If you do notice any deformity, contact your trusted vet immediately.
, whether internal or external can invade your happy Sugar Glider. To prevent this occurrence always provide a fresh water supply, a fresh diet, and a clean cage environment. If you notice parasites or returning redness developing in the coat, eyes, ears, or in the feces contact your trusted vet for treatment. Do not let this go unattended.
can occur in Sugar Gliders just as they can in humans. White spots or floating spots may be a sign of cataracts and lead to blindness. Although it is rare, some gliders are born blind.
presents with a coated white mucus discharging from orifices such as eyes, ears, or in feces. This may be caused by improper vitamin or mineral balances in the daily diet. In some cases, aged systems stop breaking down nutrients and prohibit the absorption of needed minerals. If you suspect this condition contact your trusted vet for treatment. Do not let this go unattended.
, also known as Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a slow, progressive, wasting disease of the hindquarters. DM is similar to multiple sclerosis in people. It affects the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS is responsible for carrying nerve impulses or messages to and from the muscles. Axons carry these messages and are similar to electrical wires. As with electrical wires, axons require insulation. Without insulation, the message leaks out. In the progression of DM, the myelin sheath (insulation) on the axon is damaged or slowly destroyed, rendering the muscle incapable of carrying out a movement. The usual cause is Calcium deficiency. Calcium, B12, and D deficiencies are relatively simple to take care of as these nutrients are available as OTC dietary supplements. However, it is important that your trusted vet advise you of doses and a treatment plan.
not normal to your animal could be the early warning signs of a dire medical condition or could simply be a bad day. If your glider is not its frisky self, watch it closely. If the condition worsens or does not improve within a short period of time (not more than 1 day) contact your trusted vet immediately.
