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The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML #10086
09/26/03 12:09 AM
09/26/03 12:09 AM

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Hello everyong <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

I was really curious as to what the zoos fed their sugar gliders. So late one night while thinking, I decided to visit the Crocodile Hunters Web page for the Australia zoo where I emailed them the BML diet.

I thought that sharing the response would be beneficial

here is what they said

"Hi Thomas,

It's great that you want to give your gliders the best natural diet possible. Looking at the preferred diet, I would say this is ok. One thing that had me a little confused was the gerber chicken food. Gliders are insectivorous, eating insects and nectar, so I am not sure what benefit the gerber food would have for them.

Giving you Australia's Zoo's diet would not help as the plants we feed our gliders is native to Australia and you could not get it over there. As I said...the diet looks good, mealworms are terrific for gliders...we feed them to ours too. You could try some honey blossoms or any type of blossom/flower with nectar, however with the diet you have your gliders on, they probably wont want/need it.

Fruits high in citrus are not all that good for gliders either." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />


Regards
Kelly Z Jackson
Wildlife Correspondent
Australia Zoo




<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

Tom

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10087
09/26/03 12:33 AM
09/26/03 12:33 AM
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Phoenix, AZ
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Thanks for sharing!


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Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10088
09/26/03 03:02 AM
09/26/03 03:02 AM

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</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
One thing that had me a little confused was the gerber chicken food. Gliders are insectivorous, eating insects and nectar, so I am not sure what benefit the gerber food would have for them.


<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I'm a bit surprised that someone who works at an Australian zoo would be confused by this. It is well documented that sugar gliders are omnivorous, ie: eating everything indiscriminately - feeding on both plants and animals. Insects, nectar and sap do make up a large part of their diet, mainly because that is what is readily available to them in the wild. But they'll also eat lizards, birds or any other small animal, when given the opportunity. Some people feed pinkies (baby mice) to their gliders. The Gerber chicken that some people use in BML is an excellent source of protein.

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10089
09/26/03 08:29 AM
09/26/03 08:29 AM
Joined: Apr 1999
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Bee-Bopping round SnakePit USA
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the reason for the chicken baby food, is because in Australia they have access to the high protein baby cereal, we do not, it compensates for the missing proteins. They are correct, just as has been stated in the past here by Dr Dierenfeld, that the the gliders are actually gummivours. not omnivours. their teeth and physiology doesn't allow for many of the things that are being fed to gliders.
that is one reason the BML mix is mainly a sappy mixture. also with the fruits and veggies that are suggested with it. are simple
corn, they eat it out of the hull, peas, they also eat it out of the hull, they shell their own green beans, and the carrots. the fruits are simple and advised against the citrus.
grapes, apples, watermellon and cantolope. simple fruits , simple veggies.


</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Fruits high in citrus are not all that good for gliders either."

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

as stated above, I do not recommend high citrus fruits at all.

keep in mind we do not have access to their natural floras and fauns.. which is how the BML was design. we can not match their diet, but we can get it as nutritionally balanced as possible.

the gliders in the wild are lets say have more fat on them then in captivity, but they store their fats for the colder nights and seasons. our gliders here are kept in tempeture cntolled settings, where the extra weight, could be detrental to their health.. hence one of the main differences between gliders in the wild and ours here in captivity.

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10090
09/26/03 02:51 PM
09/26/03 02:51 PM

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flowers with nectar... does this include clover?

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10091
09/26/03 09:31 PM
09/26/03 09:31 PM

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mmmm, fresh clover is fantastic. After long walks I used to nibble on the little white parts of the clover flower and feed my gliders the whole petal (pink + white parts are both safe). But be very careful that you know what pesticides or chemicals might be in the area. It's not a bad idea to grow your own clover if you have a garden or flower pot on your porch. I'm just trying to think of what other potted plants make good glider treats. My kitties always loved it when I grew catnip! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10092
09/27/03 03:20 PM
09/27/03 03:20 PM

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</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
They are correct, just as has been stated in the past here by Dr Dierenfeld, that the the gliders are actually gummivours. not omnivours.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That is apparently a minority opinion.
Dr. David Lindenmayer, who has studied sugar gliders in the field in Australia for over 20 years and has published serveral research papers on them, has classified sugar gliders as omnivorous. A look at their diet supports his assessement. Sugar gliders have such as wide variety in their diet, which include sap, gums, nectar, pollen, insects, small animals, manna and honeydew. Since the sugar glider's diet is made up of various plant extrudes and animals, the one word that best describes sugar glider is omnivorous.

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10093
04/05/04 12:37 PM
04/05/04 12:37 PM

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I heard that there was no such thing as a gumnivore. I can't remember which post it was but they definately said it wasn't actually a real category. There is no such thing as a gumnivore. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure.

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10094
04/05/04 03:41 PM
04/05/04 03:41 PM
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St. Johns, Florida
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hmmm....pondering something from original letter from aussie zoo....
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
You could try some honey blossoms or any type of blossom/flower with nectar, however with the diet you have your gliders on, they probably wont want/need it.


<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

what about honeysuckle??


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Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10095
04/05/04 03:58 PM
04/05/04 03:58 PM

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I'm not a glider expert, but the sites say it is safe. There is a poisonous and non-poisonus honeysuckle. I'm sure you knew that though.

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10096
04/05/04 05:09 PM
04/05/04 05:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
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Springfield/Eugene, OR
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i noticed she said "gerber chicken food" that she was confused about...maybe they don't have gerber baby food over there and she thought it was food for chickens, not made from chicken?


Beth

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Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10097
04/05/04 05:14 PM
04/05/04 05:14 PM

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Skunk: Hate to be the one to break it to you but there is such a classification as Gummivores and sugar gliders fall into that classification by definition. Go HERE for information on: Insectivores, Gummivores, Frugivores and Gramnivores under the topic: Feeding Behavior and Anatomy

Here's another good link regarding gummivores:

Environmental Enrichment for Captive Wildlife Through the Simulation of Gum-feeding

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10098
04/06/04 03:28 PM
04/06/04 03:28 PM

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[:"blue"] Ian D. Hume, Challis Professor of Biology, University of Sydney, Australia, in his well known and highly respected 1999 book "MARSUPIAL NUTRITION" identifies the Sugar Glider as an omnivore.

We all have a pretty good idea of what gliders eat in the wild which is the important thing. Arguing about whether we are going to label them omnivores or gummivores seems sort of like trying to figure out which is better.....a Chevy or a Ford??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />[/]

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10099
04/06/04 03:42 PM
04/06/04 03:42 PM

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In response to the comment made on honeysuckle (one's poisonous, and one isn't) how do you tell the difference?

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10100
04/06/04 05:49 PM
04/06/04 05:49 PM
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Cornersville TN I'M HOME :)
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I'm with Randy the label is not all that important. We just do the best we can under the circumstances.
& Randy it's the Ford any day <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />


cyndiekb

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Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10101
04/07/04 03:20 AM
04/07/04 03:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,093
Lone Star
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LOL@ Randy - I have been singing praises to Ian Humes publication "Marsupial Nutrition" since 1999 - I had to special order it from a very large bookstore!

There has been quite a bit of captive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> diet information available & has been for several years now - but trying to convince others of that has been very difficult.

In another very good publication "Fauna Of Australia"
Russel, Lee, & Wilson
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s are mentioned as 'arboreal exudivore'

Honeysuckle (I do grow some for the scent but I do not offer it to my <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s )
ITIS

Lonicera maackii,
Lonicera morrowii
Lonicera Xbella
Lonicera tatarian - berries are mildly toxic

You have to be careful & identify the plant species you would like, also you never want offer any plant to your <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s (unless you grow it yourself) until at least 3 months have gone by - you need to make sure the pesticides & fertilizers are safely watered out of the plant.

A couple of flower blossoms I will suggest offering your <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s are -
rose petals , &
hibiscus blossoms

My <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s just love to roll around on the blossoms, carry them around & play with them before they chew them to shreds

A few years ago I also spoken with a few of Steve's crew & I disagree - where there's a will there's a way to get the <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" />'s their native flora <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />

B - It really doesn't get very chilly in Queensland, NSW,
New Guinea & several of the surrounding Islands where are "Little People" also reside <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

(I vote for Chevy)

Last edited by POCKETS; 04/07/04 03:26 AM.
Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10102
04/07/04 06:41 PM
04/07/04 06:41 PM

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awesome that they approve, through all the other diets coming and going i have stuck with bml here. yahy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10103
04/07/04 08:20 PM
04/07/04 08:20 PM

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Ohhh, that reminds me I have all these Australian seeds sitting idle! Doh! I've gotta get them going for my gliders for this summer. I betta hurry <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" />

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10104
04/07/04 08:55 PM
04/07/04 08:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,078
USA
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Oh Pockets... I just had to say... Ive been giving my 'kids' pesticide free safe rose petals for years now... OMG! They absolutly adore them! I LOVE giving them and watching them rub them all over themselves and carry them around till the poor petals are falling apart. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> (They nibble here and there on them, but seem to be more interested in 'wearing' them as perfume. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> So CUTE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10105
04/07/04 11:11 PM
04/07/04 11:11 PM

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i have roses outside....but they are fed rose food, like miracle grow...so that means they are a no go for the fuzzies right?

Re: The Crocodile Hunter Crew Responds to BML [Re: ] #10106
04/09/04 08:12 PM
04/09/04 08:12 PM

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good question Haley...
I use miracle grow on my tomatoes and no one who has eaten them has gotten sick or died...yet...
but Iw ouldnt think that that kinda stuff would be good for a little body...gosh, I really dont know! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

So roses are safe? What if we go to our local um...place that sells flowers...I forget the name...and we buy some fresh ones...would those be ok? Does anyone know where flowers from the flower shop come from?


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