Thanks! More questions ahead!!
I have been looking through
breeders like crazy and I am seeing gliders from $199-$1500. I know color will make a difference in price but even some with similar colors that look identical the price range can be crazy. Any info on this? Are they really worth that much or are we being scammed? We just want happy/healthy babies but don't want to be scammed in the process.
Next, one of the
breeders I spoke with said that a neutered male loses the chest gland and bald spot. Is that true?
Thanks again you wonderful people!
Sorry this is so long, but...
There is so much more to gliders than color. Many
breeders have the same end goal in mind. Health and good temperament. And then colors. My 3 are a good example.
Fiona, my first came from a broker like
Pocket Pets. She is a standard grey, great temperament, it took about 2 weeks to
bond, but she's petite. I gave $250 for her, a small cage, a small bag of mazzuri pellets, instructions on how to make BML
diet, and poorly made
bonding pouch and sleeping pouch.
Dot (standard grey and she's big). came from an inbred colony that went out of control. She had a bad temperament (still does from time to time). It took 3 months to even put my hand in the cage without being attacked, 6 months to get her to stop drawing blood, and 9 months to start
bonding. She barley tolerates being held during the day. I got her for $75 from Craig's list.
Stewie, (mosaic) well he's a nut. He has a great temperament, doesn't bite hard (more like a medium pinch when he gets his nails clipped), he is a big boy, neutered. He's extremely hyper, but really sweet. He doesn't like to be held at all, but loves to hang out on your shoulders, be petted, jump, glide, run, sniff, explore, and he comes out of most hiding spots when I call him. He has taught the girls how to play together and really livened it up. He loves Fiona and teases Dot (she's a grump). I got him from Feather and when all was said and done, I paid what mosaics go for neutered. He is a great example of a
breeder who cares how their Joey's turn out when it comes temperament and health.
They all know their names. Fiona and Dot are 5 years old. Stewie is 1 yr 4 months old.
In 5 years, 4 cages, 4
wheels, 3 treadmills, fleece to make my own cage sets,
toys and toy parts, dishes, a kitchen, waterers, numerous
vet visits for well checks and fecals (annually), a UTI, and 1 dominance wound, many follow ups, an upset tummy, neuter follow up, and cost of the gliders total about $5500( this doesn't include their
diet staple, fresh vegs , mealworm farm, or treats). I have a
vet fund of $500 per glider at the standby at all times...
You will get pooped on, peed on, scent marked(doesn't really smell) face hugged, and bit a lot.
Then there is clipping nails... 5 on each front paw, and 2 on each foot(I didn't count the grooming nails. They only need clipped once a year if at all).
As far as males loosing their scent glands, it's a blessing in disguise. Because they can really mark up everything to a real stink when they smell a female in heat if they can't get to her. Even having 2 unneutered males can mark a lot.
We normally don't let the threads get this long under "Help I'm new." Topic. It's really for an introduction, and quick questions where we will steer you to ask questions under the appropriate topic. That way more members will join in on the discussion, and new members can look up particular topics to read and research what others have experienced and done. All the information posted above will be lost and impossible to find for other members in the future(on specific topics). If you have a question about which topic to use, you can post where you think it goes and we can move it if necessary. You can ask as many questions as you like using each topic listed. We love to answer your questions, but there are more experts who usually look under individual topics. We are really looking forward to helping you and sharing in your glider experience!