Hello everyone! My name is Taylor and I first discovered what a sugar glider is about 10 years ago. I was at outside a bowling alley with a friend and I seen something pop out of someone's sweatshirt hood. This random person pulled a little sugar glider out of his hood and was explaining what it was to me when it jumped from his hand onto my shoulder and just stayed there. I held up my hand and it (found out, she) curled up in my hand, snuggled against my sweater, and I fell in love. Of course, I can't keep her... so I very reluctantly gave her back and these little buggers have been in the back of my mind ever since. I've always done light research with no real plans to get them, just to know more about them, but I've finally made the decision to get a pair. I'm hoping that this forum will be a place I can go to for incredible information and tips for when I need some help.

I'm trying to find a vet that will work with them before I even consider looking for a reputable breeder... first things first, right?

Thanks for having me!

Click on the blue words like vet and it will direct you to our database.

You're in western WI, probably not far from Feather who has a rescue and is a breeder as well. She doesn't advertise, but my newst addition Stewie came from her and I couldn't be happier! He's a bit of a handful, but he is healthy, growing like a weed and has lots of energy. He's also very sweet.

As far as bonding and holding gliders, that comes with a lot of time and patience. And each glider has their own personality, and may or may not like to be held. My two older girls(4 years old)stay on me while I'm home, but only one of them tolerates being held. Stewie only tolerates being held when he is drop dead tired. Then only briefly. I'm still working on him... He's 9 months old.

I'm so glad your here!!! Please ask away any questions you may have and please read everything you can so you can be as informed as possible before you enter this world of glider slavery!!!!

Absolutely will do! I was browsing about two hours before I first posted and I haven't really stopped yet. I assumed that suger glider from 10 years ago was just super friendly after reading up on bonding. I don't doubt it can take forever, I tend to do the same thing... I'm usually really lukewarm to people for a long time

One question I did have is that I know gliders are more nocturnal, and I work from 2pm-10pm. When I see people talking about diets, they're always fed in the late afternoon. Is that something that's inherent to gliders, or does that end up just being the human's preference due to their schedules? When I get home, I'm usually up until about 4am, so I could definitely spend time with them at night, I just don't want to throw off an eating schedule (I know eating right before going to sleep screws me up a bit! )

I'd rather ask dumb questions than not know

Also, I did see that Feather was close by, I'll have to send her a PM sometime when I'm more prepared.

Hi Taylor,

Don't be shy about getting in touch with me. I have a toy making party coming up December 29 in the training room at the Oregon Fire Department in Oregon, WI.

We would love to have you, there will be other people that own gliders you can chat with and learn from.

Hope you can make it.

Ah, unfortunately, I won't be able to join everyone for the party, as I work for the state (good luck getting vacation on a Saturday!) and it's about 4 hours away. I'll definitely keep in touch about future events though!

I have a few issues with my landlord and my townhouse, and after looking at my lease, I may have to wait until I move out, as most "exotic" pets aren't allowed. I have sent them an email though to see what their thoughts were about it. My neighbors aren't home at night, so if the little ones start barking, it won't bother anyone.

When I was looking for a place to rent, it was 50/50 if they approved them when they either said 'cat/dogs approved' or 'no exotics.' It seemed to help when I sent them some basic information what it meant for their property (very little damage potential compared to many others) and included pictures of my colony. Being so adorable seemed to help them out

That's actually exactly what I did, I gave them a very general description of what they were, explained that they were kept in cages, but I made it a point to tell them that I would be taking them out occasionally (don't want to lie to them). I also offered to print some things off and sit down and talk with them about it as well.

I have covered the carpet in the bedroom the gliders are in with those carpets that are hemmed to be area rugs. I think it took 5 to cover the whole room except the area where the door is. I wouldn't be able to close the door if I put a area rug there.

I fight dirty

Hi Taylor, I’ve been a breeder for over 5 years and I have 8 regulars, some rescues and a few breeding. You can definitely get them accustomed to a later feeding time. The main thing for them is darkness. When they feed, they want it dark. I can place food in their cage and it will sit (mostly) untouched until the lights go out. Mine get fed around midnight. When I remove their dishes in the morning,I place their daytime snack in with them. Oh, and 3 of mine came from TPG, they were VERY well behaved.

Gliders will adapt by individual habits and personality. Arthur prefers hiding until the lights are outs, but the rest are of the mind set, "The slave is serving food, we should eat!"

Then again, even Arthur follows his stomach if I leave the lights on too long, so... yeah....

If you want a more elegant but expensive solution, I bought one of those scenic window well skins and placed it around/behind my flight cage. Of course, my cage is 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep by 6 feet tall so the window well skin may be a bit overkill for your cage but I like the look of the mountains and forest instead of a shower curtain behind the cage.

As far as feeding times go, I put the food out when it's convenient for me. My gliders will eat it when it's convenient for them -- usually after I go to bed.