Yes, you can usually identify a neutered male by not having a bald sport. I would check age on those gliders. Some may be retired breeders. That influences price a lot. There is also variation amongst genetic lines. Some cost more because if they were used for breeding they are more likely to get a desired color or give a variety if paired with another glider. Other posters may have more reasons for price differences.
When my girls are in heat they are more crabby. Not usually with me but they crab and hiss at the boys. The boys are neutered but I think they were neutered a little late because they can be randy. Especially Elric who thinks he is Casanova. They verbally bicker more and there can be some crabbing, hissing, and chasing before mating but they have never hurt each other. The boys do bite the top of the head while mating but it has never broken the skin yet and the girl is not upset by it and just waits at that point. Arwen was in heat last night and I pulled her out to ride on me to give her a break from Elric’s wooing. No one was hurt but she looked tired. Not sure how different girls in heat are with no boys around, no experience there.
I tried to get a picture of Elric mounted behind and going at it hard with Arwen while Arwen was just slowly eating a piece of salad looking completely uninterested and bored. One of the funniest things I have seen. Sadly by the time I got my phone they were done.
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: clreilly]
#1420736 07/02/1903:24 PM07/02/1903:24 PM
I don’t have too much insight about the prices of the gliders, as mine were all less than $300 (I have two standard greys and a white face), but I believe lineage has an impact on pricing. My male’s hair grew back on his head once he got neutered. One of my two females tends to chatter and bark more when in heat. As far as agitation goes, I don’t notice much of a change!
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420738 07/02/1903:34 PM07/02/1903:34 PM
Thanks guys! I feel like the more I research, the more questions I have. I was also seeing a lot of information saying that females tend to be shyer and males tend to bond quicker? I know every animal is different, but have either of you noticed this to be true? We were so set on girls but the breeder said "Actually once they are neutered they are just like females with one exception. They don’t go into heat." Also, any info on what age is safe to neuter if we do go the boy route?
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420739 07/02/1904:12 PM07/02/1904:12 PM
My bravest glider is female. I have probably bonded best with Elric and Arwen, so one of the boys and one of the girls. Eilonwy used to be real shy but I think she had a traumatic introduction to her home (fight with Dobby). She seems to be getting over it and is getting more adventurous and also has decided that my deodorant-smelling underarms would make a great snack. We are working on that. Dobby is the most standoffish. He likes and trusts me so sort of bonded but he prefers to do his own thing.
I think you would be fine going either way or with one of each. It is more about the individual glider then it is the gender.
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420741 07/02/1904:19 PM07/02/1904:19 PM
Ok got it. I posted this question farther up, but I think it got lost in all my other questions...lol
When I go to a breeder, I know I am going to be looking at their environment because I want to make sure I am buying from someone reputable, but is there anything specific I should look out for in regard to the gliders? Personality, fur, the diet that sort of thing? Any warning signs I should look out for?
Any specific things that would give me hints as to what their personality is like?
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420742 07/02/1905:15 PM07/02/1905:15 PM
Glider personalities are hard to read. Their faces do not have much expression. The best ways to read mood are stance, ears, and tail. If you can visit the breeder look for a glider that is comfortable being handled (not necessarily held, most do not like being held), was raised in a clean environment, and ask about its activity level. I would try to get a pair of gliders or a colony that have been living together already. At most breeders that means siblings. If they are already comfortable with each other and have been for some time it is a smoother transition to their new home and you do not have to worry about introductions including the possibility of rejection. I do not think coloration has any bearing on personality. If the glider nips at you a little that is not always a bad sign. If they attack and bite down hard that probably is (unless you smell heavily of something). I do not know a ton about it. I ordered my gliders from the Pet Glider based on photos and a phone conversation and had them flown to me. I am happy with all four.
Mostly handling them I would look for health issues. Are they normal sized? Eyes, nose, and ears clear without discharge. Ask if there are health problems in the litter. Hands feces can be a bad sign. For the most part though you are rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420744 07/02/1906:38 PM07/02/1906:38 PM
It depends on a lot of things, including linage (like probably carrying a rare gene even if not showing), female for breeding, age... so, in general, I would say you're probably not being scammed by a reputable breeder. Shop around & see what others are charging & what you get for that price. I think, outside of small/home operations or questionable breeders, you'll see a reasonable level of price stability.
- Hutch
Morgana (11/15)
Arthur (11/15-3/24) Merlin (11/15-9/23) Gwynevere (11/15-4/22)
I did not play more then $500 for any of my gliders and intentionally got a variety of colorations because I have a hard time telling similar things apart. I also wanted a trio litter or two pairs of siblings (got the latter). I would avoid super expensive ones. They are probably priced like that for breeding.
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420748 07/02/1911:12 PM07/02/1911:12 PM
I just got off the phone with yet another breeder. She said that Critter Love is bad and causes periodontal disease. I really liked the simplicity of Critter Love. She gave me some recipe called the Highland Sugar Glider diet:
Ingredients: 2 jars 48 oz. no sugar added applesauce 3 Cups full fat yogurt (NOTE: You can substitute freshly fermented 24-hour Kefir or your own fermented probiotic yogurt) 3 Cups quick cook plain oatmeal 6 ea. chopped boiled egg (no shell) 2 1/2 Cups chopped boiled chicken 1 Tbsp flaxseed oil 2 Tbsp Soybean oil (Wesson or other soybean cooking oil) 1/2 tsp Vionate Vitamin and Mineral powder 1 tsp Calcium Carbonate powder 2 tsp Taurine powder 10 drops Vitamin E oil equaling 200 IU – you can use 1 capsule of 200 IU Vitamin E per batch
Note: If you use yogurt instead of kefir you will need to thin the batch with yogurt drink , apple juice or bolthouse green juice(I add a little water to thin out green juice) to the desired consistency. 1-2 Tbsp of the above mixture served with 1 tsp sweet peas (shelled), 1 tsp mixed chopped fruits (optional), and 1 tsp mixed, chopped vegetables.
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420749 07/02/1911:26 PM07/02/1911:26 PM
Heard good things about that diet but it would be too time consuming and a pain too collect all the ingredients for me to make. If you want to use it though it looks good. Maybe a bit heavy on protein. I have never heard of critter love being linked to tooth problems though.
TPG can be hard to navigate. It is where I got mine. I looked through every entry when I was shopping though. Need to stay away. Looking at it makes me want another pair. Bad Xeno! Four is plenty!
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420751 07/03/1907:38 AM07/03/1907:38 AM
Something that I’m sure you’ve noticed by now is that there is not one perfect diet out there for sugar gliders. I give mine BML because it is an established diet with proper Ca:P ratios, allows variety of fruits and veggies, it’s what my suggies came to me already eating, and it wasn’t too complicated for me to prepare. There are people who don’t like BML because the vitamin K supplement used is synthetic and considered unsafe for human consumption (at what concentration, I’m not sure), but it is widely used in pet supplements and food. As far as critterlove, I have heard very good things and again, it is an established diet. If you want to continue with the highland, that is also a good diet, but obviously very time consuming and requires a lot of ingredients. At the end of the day, choose a diet that works for you and your suggies!
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420752 07/03/1908:45 AM07/03/1908:45 AM
You guys are rockstars!! We are waiting on the last few packages of random goodies to come in and we will have everything. In the meantime, we are just shopping around. I feel like a mother nesting the house. I'm running around trying to make sure everything is perfect and glider proofed and ready. I am so close to having my babies home!!!
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: clreilly]
#1420753 07/03/1911:11 AM07/03/1911:11 AM
I have found that most who claim Critterlove is bad are those who have a personal agenda against the creator or some other reason they simply don't like the diet, but it is rarely based on fact. If I were you, I would not listen to idle gossip about any proven/tested diet. Critterlove is one of a very very few who meet those qualifications.
Also, any breeder who has a website, may be named and discussed here according to our rules. That may help you decide who you might want to purchase your gliders from.
We would probably be able to give you some insight into the ones you are considering IF they have been around awhile and are reputable. We are more than willing to help you out.
I am talking to a breeder right now (no website) and she told me Hartland Gliders is a mill breeder. Is this true? I also spoke to the breeder at Oceanfront Sugar Gliders. She was the one who told me Critterlove is bad.
I looked into the sites that came up when you click "breeder" in the forum and a lot of the websites are inactive. Do you guys have anyone you would recommend other than TPG? I just want to look at a few options.
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: clreilly]
#1420755 07/03/1902:27 PM07/03/1902:27 PM
I highly recommend Critterlove Sugar Gliders who should be close to you, however, soon she will be moving her family and business to Texas, so you should contact her very soon if you have not already. Her name is Peggy, and she is a wonderful breeder/person. I have know her personally for many years.
Yes, I would consider a facebook page a counting.
The name Hhartland Gliders sounds familiar, however, I don't really know anything about her. I will try to get some information on Oceanfront Sugar Gliders. Do not know why she would say that about Critterlove.
I have been speaking with a breeder in West Virginia and she is fabulous. She sent me pictures of her breeding room and I really like her. She is driving down south and will be passing right through Jacksonville in August. So we will have our babies in August!!! We are so excited!! The boy is a mosaic and the girl is a plat. A picture of the boy is attached. It would only allow me to attach one picture.
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420765 07/05/1911:47 AM07/05/1911:47 AM
My platinum and mosaic are my two most adventurous gliders. I hope yours fluster, infuriate, and charm you as much as mine do.
The fun little adventures never stop. Just a few minutes ago I got all four climbing on me for the end of playtime. I went into the closet and turned on the light. This gets them to calm down and then I hold up a pouch. They know this means time to go home and want out of the light so they dive right in but I could only find three and I knew I felt four of them crawling on me. I figured she might have jumped so I searched the floor and everywhere else. Then I thought I might have been mistaken about getting them all and searched the whole play area and could not find her.
Then I felt some rustling on my thigh and looked down to see her poking her head out.
Clever girl climbed in where I could not feel her weight or her claws.
Best of luck to you. It is a lot of work but moments like these make up for it.
Dobby Elric Arwen Eilonwy
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420773 07/06/1906:39 AM07/06/1906:39 AM
Thanks, everyone! I am both nervous and excited. I want them to have the best life. I definitely have plenty of bonding time scheduled. Can wait to upload pics when we get them home!
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420788 07/08/1910:01 PM07/08/1910:01 PM
Hey guys, me again.. So I need help with names for the boy. We are naming the girl Misha and I have no idea what to do for the boy. Any thoughts? We are looking at Heros of the Storm names. GO!
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1420798 07/10/1902:19 PM07/10/1902:19 PM
I love my babies my babies don’t hardly smell at all if you have their diets right, I use organic baby food in pouches veggie and fruit ones they love it I also feed fresh food also I do not depend on pellets I have the pellets in cage at all times They do bark and hiss lol it’s cute my husband has really enjoys them we do hear them at night sometimes
Re: Before I Buy Questions
[Re: Anonymous]
#1421070 08/19/1911:49 AM08/19/1911:49 AM
Question though. They keep trying to eat our fingers. I washed with Dawn and used scent-free wipes but it doesn't make a difference. Genji has no fear and will come to my hand, sniff it, jump on and off it like a platform, and bite the crap out of my fingers. I make the "tsk" noise but it doesn't seem to phase him. I stay calm and don't jerk my hand when he bites cause it doesn't hurt that bad and I don't want to scare him, but he's drawing blood. It doesn't seem aggressive either. Almost like he's testing me. Any ideas?