Considering getting a glider, any advice?

So I am considering getting a glider, it will be a fair bit of time before I am serious about getting one as I am caring for a family member, and don't want to stress him with a new pet.

At the end of the year though I am planning on getting my own place and am wanting a pet. In the past I've had all manner of animals from cats, dogs to rabbits, ferrets, rats, and hamsters. Most of the places I am looking do not allow cats/dogs but seem fine with small animals so I was at first considering a rat or hamster. Though so many small animals seem to have such short life spans, I cant stand to lose my pets so soon.

A friend suggested sugar gliders to me because they are small and long lived, plus they're nocturnal like so many of my family members say I am (my bed time tends to be 6am)

Anyways I am rambling (sorry) so the main things I want to ask are.
1) Can older homeless gliders still bond with someone new.
2) What sort of health issues should I expect.
3) What sort of exercise/play activity do they need
4) How much out of cage time is best? (most people seem to just have the gliders hanging on them)
5) Any suggestions on what sort of diet is best for them? (Lot of controversy in that area)
6) How loud is the bark, and how bad is the bite? (I've been badly bitten by big animals but bites from small animals tend to worry me most because I've never been bitten by my ferrets, rats or hamsters before. So I am unsure what to expect.)
7) If I do get a glider, where would be the best place in the Clearwater/Tampa Florida area be? I see a lot of people on craigslist, but I've never been a fan of Quick Buck Breeders.

Hello!

All great questions, and most of which there are varying opinions on, this doesn't mean any one way is right or wrong, although much is a gray area, there are some hard facts. I'm going to start with your first question, then see how many of the others I can get to.

All answers are in my own opinion from things learned and experience.

1. All three of my gliders were rehomes. The first were a pair of females about a year old. The last one, a lone male (neutered), about 4 years old.
a. They can form a bond, when you put the time in to build trust. It may vary in time and depth, considering individual glider's personality and experience with people.
b. Putting in the time includes both daytime bonding, in pouch usually and out of cage time play. The amount of time you put in reflects in the result of your relationship. But remember, no two gliders are a like, some are easier going and some are quite scary when they're scared. Learning this early will help, as I just thought my one girl was spawn of satan, then after coming into the communities, learned her behavior was based on fear. This realization changed the whole outlook on her, and I began building a relationship with her. It's not a perfect one, but it's good.

2. Health issues, usually parasites are tested for through fecal usually in first vet visit, as well as an examination -look over. Sometimes UTIs, constipation/diarrhea can be issues, and abscesses, though I can't say these are common, but ones I hear more often. Then there are other types of health issues as with any living creature, but generally, should most likely have no serious health issues.

3. A glider-safe wheel!!!! And space to run, hop, & jump. Running can include vertical, because they are generally arboreal and will climb, running up, down and across the cage bars.

4. As much as you can. I believe routines are important, but impromptu out of cage recreation is good too. Some glider enjoy out of cage time better than others. Best time is evening thru night when they have been up and about, have eaten, gone potty and have began to play, explore, ride the wheel, and also early morning before turning into the pouch. In the beginning, it may be easier for you to take them out in the earlier evening, just before they wake up for the first or second time (yes they will generally eat, maybe exercise a little, go potty and go back to nap for anywhere from an hour to a few hours), until they are used to you and you are comfortable getting them out of cage and back again.

5. Critter Love and BML are the most popular ones. I suggest research several of the diets, and see which is easiest for you to maintain, then make sure they like it.

6. It depends on how far you are from them Also if the glider is in or out of their pouch/sleeping quarters, and if you're a light sleeper or a deep sleeper, or somewhere in between. My gliders have woken me up some nights with barking, but it's not often and the duration of time varies. They are in my bedroom. It is possible that they bark more often than I realize and I'm just in to deep of sleep to notice.

7. Click on the highlighted word breeders and you should get the database up. I found my girls on CL locally here in MD, and my boy was also here in MD, but found in the adoption forum here on GC.

Well, what do you know, I got to all of your questions. I'm sure you'll receive a lot of information here. Read on, and on, and on. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need.

Terry has given you some great insight and advise.

Oh and

If you decide to take the sugar glider plunge, be prepared for the cuteness addiction. I still can't go shopping without looking for new stuff for them.

You asked about biting. Well since they do have teeth, the probability of at least getting nipped is probable. But they can be taught that you don't like it. They like to groom you too.

Bonding and trust come after time. Some adjust to you quicker than others. Bonding is an ongoing process. Fiona started trusting me within a few weeks, bonding came at about 5 weeks. Dot on the other hand took over 6 months.

Most gliders do better in at least pairs, males should be neutered it helps with their smell. Both males and females are scent oriented and mark their territory. Having said that, they don't have an odor like rats and hamsters.

Gliders only tolerate being held. They prefer to climb on you and hang out on your back or shoulder.

You may want to consider their lifespan in captivity is up to 15 years. So your life calendar will need some thought with them in mind. We travel with our work all over the US (in a 5th wheel), and have had to take them in consideration when choosing jobs. There are states that don't allow gliders like CA, PA, HA, and AK (yes we were offered a 9 month job in Alaska we turned down, but not because of the girls, I don't like cold weather, and I love sunshine. )

I probably got carried away here, but wanted to give you some more thoughts.

I think Dawn and Terry have covered things really well.

Continue to read here on GliderCENTRAL, don't be afraid to ask questions.