When I first got my gliders there was a site that said they life 15 years. Dog and cats live to be 10-15, some large birds can live 75 years. How true is this? are there any stats? Or are they just accident prone?

Yes, that is the approximate maximum lifespan. Many will not get to 15 years, but very close!

I've always wondered if this wasn't a bit inflated. Reason being: I have a lot of pets and am a member at many animal forums, and there seems to be a figure that is tossed around because it is THE FIGURE, like common knowledge, when all the members' personal experiences seem to suggest a number a little lower.

i.e. on many rat websites you will see 3-5 years listed, but the truth is I have had many rats, spoiled them rotten, and never had one make it to three. I am not alone.

Or on the ferret community, 7-10 years... a 7 year old ferret is an old ferret. And if you have a ferret make it up into the double digits, you are very lucky!

I seem to recall someone--maybe Lisa at SunCoast--saying that in her experience 10-12 is more of an average number for gliders.

I was delighted to meet someone with a "17 year old" glider but turns out she'd only had the glider for four years, and was just taking the former (bad) owner's word for it. Not really the most accurate way to do things.

i use the phrase that they can live up to 15 years.. yes there has been several gliders that have reached that number. as for avaerages... well like many animals the average life span is much shorter than the possible life span due to illness, and accidents, natural causes.. what I tell people is that it doesn't matter how long they are going to live, take the time you have with them, do the very best you can, learn as much as you can, and love them as much as you can, and the life you will have with your glider will be the gliders lifetime of quality

I too say "up to 15 years". My Dexter was over 14, his mate over 12. I have many gliders right now over 10 and still going strong and healthy.

But accidents can happen. Illnesses can happen. These things obviously can drastically shorten a glider's life.

I also say up to 15 years.

Very well put!

I usually say 10-15 years when I'm asked.

Very true.

I have a 14 year old glider and many that are 8-11 years old.

However, the AVERAGE lifespan of gliders as found on SUGAR Group research is currently 4.6 years. Interestingly, this average is lower than the average age of gliders living in the homes of SUGAR Group respondents, so we hope to see that average increase in the years to come.

Gliders CAN live up to 15 years. It is my hope that one day that becomes more the norm than the exception.

What I term my "oldtimers" are each at least 8 years old. I have only had them about half that time, but I can trace the girl of that pair to her original purchase date from a pet store in Lewisville, TX. I know her diet and care before she came to me, and I am sure they have affected her overall lifespan, but I am also hopeful that she will make it into her double-digit years with her man by her side.

I also agree that quality is what I focus on. I think part of the reason 12-15 is discussed, is because people need to be prepared for the commitment. When I got my first gliders, I heard 6-8 yrs thrown around a lot. I used to tell people that they can live upwards of 12+ years, but 6-8 is more common. I have known a lot of gliders lost in that age range for various reasons. When my kids get to be 8 years old, I consider them seniors, probably because I'm already thinking that way for a dog or a cat.

As gliders have become a more common and (slightly, lol) better understood animals, it is not uncommon for gliders to live beyond 8 years anymore. All four of my oldest gliders are 8 years and older and I see things a little differently. I now tend to tell people upwards of 15, with 10-12 not being unusual. In another 5 years, who knows where we will be!

PacMan was 15 years 4 months.

Oh boy. Ally is an old timer! 9 years old atm. And going strong!

I usually compare to a cat. Use the same phrasing "Can live up to 15."

Love Bourbon's phrasing.

I strongly agree with this. Many people who don't know much about gliders classify them with other small animals, who don't have long lifespans whatsoever. That number is to remind those looking to purchase that it is not a commitment to be taken lightly, and if the work involved in their care seems tedious and something they could only handle for a short time gliders may not be the right pets for them. I don't know if we know for sure how long they can live in the wild, but hopefully with the knowledge we are continuing to gain that we can reach or even surpass that number in captivity!

RIGHT! usually when i tell people, they think i'm crazy for saying it! They think their lifespan is like 3 years like a hamster or something small. Truthfully, I didn't really believe it until i got on here and people were talking about their 8 year old gliders and such.

Then again, I have a friend online with a turtle that he got as a kid and its still alive as he goes through college. So I guess it depends on the owner and how the animals is cared for rather then their life expectancy.

And my mom had a cat that I swear lived 19 years.

My grandparents cat little man lived for 19 almost 20 years.

I believe they already live longer in captivity than in the wild... I saw above someone asking about that.. Our Ally is 9 (picture below)... and based on the speed she moves at, she'd be owl or something food for sure in the wild. She moves about 1/2 the speed of the other two, but is very happy with how she is! As am I!

[/quote] I strongly agree with this. Many people who don't know much about gliders classify them with other small animals, who don't have long lifespans whatsoever. That number is to remind those looking to purchase that it is not a commitment to be taken lightly, and if the work involved in their care seems tedious and something they could only handle for a short time gliders may not be the right pets for them. I don't know if we know for sure how long they can live in the wild, but hopefully with the knowledge we are continuing to gain that we can reach or even surpass that number in captivity![/quote]

Their lifespan in the wild is about 2-4 years from what I've read, so I'm happy to say we've surpassed it.

My stitch was oop around 1997... I have had her since 2005. I trust the person who rescued her when he said he had her since 2000.
So I estimate her to be between 12-15 years old. She has cataracts and we think she sees in shadows but she had her a mealie and she is still as fiesty as a youngin'

As a petsitter, I had a client whose cat was 21!!!!!! True story...

I usually say that the "potential" life span is between 10-15

Hope I'm fortunate enough to get to experience that look with mine someday.

Awww! How sweet!

I have never heard of one living to 15 years old, but I have no doubt that they can as a pet. As others have stated, the lifespan in the wild is much shorter due to predators, natural causes, etc.

I have one that is almost 11 years old. He moves slow and doesn't look as "perky" as a young one, but still has that glint in his eye when he's happy and playing!

Same with our Ally. She's about 10 years old. Most of the time we call her "Shlo mo" lol.

She's very slow & methodical in her ways, but she seems to be enjoying life. She power walks in her wheel instead of running, but once in awhile you see her sneak in a little hop or two.

Everything I have red about suggies suggests that in captivity they 'can' live up to 12-15 years. Just like any animals have ages they 'can' live up to it all depends on circumstances that happen during their life span that will determine how long they will live (i.e. disease, accidents, improper care etc.).

Edit: I read a post somewhere either on here or GG that someone had a glider that was 15y/o. Cant remember who or which forum though.

A couple of years ago, one of my dear friends had a cat die who was 26 yrs. He was fine one day. The next day he climbed into her lap and went to forever sleep in her arms.

My oldest glider is 5 1/2, with most of the rest being 3-4 yrs old. It brings terror to my heart to think of losing them at 6-8 yrs. I guess that's why I'm paranoid about taking mine to the vet and feeding them a good diet.

I have 2 gliders who are almost 6 yrs old. All I can say is I am counting on those 12-15 yr counts being right because i can't even imagine loosing my tinker or tucker. I got them as babies and they have brought me so much love and happiness every day since they came home with me.

Charlie and Mary had a little glider named PacMan. PacMan was 15 years 4 months when he passed.