are hampster balls ok for sugar gliders? i just bought one that you can keep in the cage for them to run on whenever or you can remove it from the cage and let them run around the house.
are they safe (as long as they are being supervised when outside the cage?)
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />

I think some people use them for their gliders, i tried once but my boy freaked out when he was in it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> he started shaking and wouldnt move. Another thing is that i would be afraid of them getting their tiny toes stuck in the slits for air holes. Just my opinion/experience though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

THat's what I was afraid of too. those holes would be really easy for my baby to get his little toes stuck in. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

that is def something i was worried about...
hmmm... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Sugar gliders do not seem like the type of animal that would take to a hamster ball. They need to be more mobile than that allows. They like to leap and glide. And the toes getting stuck in the slits of the ball would worry me too.

I haven't had a problem with my gliders with their hamster balls. I wouldn't shove them in it, like I did

I haven't had a problem with my gliders with their hamster balls. I wouldn't shove them in it, like I did and most people do. They will freak out, and freeze. Put treats in the ball and let them crawl in it. You can also leave it on the bottom of the cage open with treats in it. Mine love to get in it and bang it around the cage at night. I wouldn't use it on the stand, unless your watching them. I feel it being stationary would greatly increase the risk of them getting their toes/nails caught and causing an injury.

I have the smallest one in the cage with Daisy and Duke.They LOVE it!!But Ricky and Lucy wouldn't go near it.Guess it just depends on their own likes and dislikes.I love it because it is very quiet!!lol

I have 2 of the big ones and Oscar loves it. He'll chase the cats around for a long time, Angie doesn't care for them. We haven't had any problems with toes getting stuck or anything like that, just Oscar getting stuck on something or wedged in an odd corner in our house.

Some gliders like them and some don't. There are real dangers associated with them, however, and they can cause injury. Because gliders have "fingers", and not paws like a hamster, those CAN go through the slots, so can thumbs on a small glider, and when they're really moving it can run over the digit and cut them. Our little mama nearly lost both front thumbs from hers..luckily we caught it in time to save them, since she never acted like she was hurt, yet the cuts went nearly to the bone where the thumbs attach to the hand. Just be aware of the danger, and check your glider's feet after each playtime for injury. Keep in mind also that a jolt can knock the lid off, freeing the glider.

Also, do not allow play anywhere the ball can drop, such as an upstairs landing, or if they can access a stairway and fall down-or use around an animal like a dog or cat that may try and attack or play with the ball with the glider in it, injuring or traumatizing the glider. While some gliders do enjoy them, safety and awareness of what CAN go wrong is always a good idea to keep in mind.

I have mine mounted in the cage since I couldn't fit a wheel through the door of the cage.

Keep a careful eye on your gliders when you use the cage stand with the hamster ball. My first glider would run so fast on hers that she caused the ball to fall off of the stand and was trapped in the ball until I got up at 3:45 the next morning. Thank goodness I have to be at work so early. She wasn't hurt but she was terribly thirsty and frightened when I got her out.