Question to Florida glider owners: How big are you cages?
I am interested in getting my license for FFW license and I was told the minimum requirement is 4 x 4 x 4. That seems way too big for a minimum to me. I agree, the bigger the better, but not everyone has the space for a cage that big... especially if they have more than one pair. How would you even get a cage that big out of your house?
Currently, I have the minimum cage requirement but I give plenty of time out of the cage every night. I am in the process of getting a bigger cage now. It measures 72" H x 30" W x 40" D and I think that is plenty of space for a pair. I don't know how to get a cage the FFW minimum size that doesn't cost me a month's salary.
Did this problem come up when you were getting your FFW license?

This is one of my cages- I have 2 this size- I have a quad in one and a trio on the other... both cages measure 30 x 18 x 56"H with an overall height of 72" including the stand.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/857806/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers

Also- why do you need a permit? Florida residents do not need a permit to own sugar gliders... the following is from the FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) and more can be found at this link: FWC Non-Native Species Info

Wildlife Not Requiring a Permit
The following species do not require a permit for personal possession as long as no other Rule or Statute applies, such as Rules for Threatened or Endangered Species:

Reptiles, amphibians (nonvenomous native species that are not listed as endangered, threatened, or species of concern; nonvenomous nonnative species that are not listed as Reptiles of Concern or Conditional Species)

Gerbils, hedgehogs
Honey possums, sugar gliders, brushtailed possums
Shell parakeets
Rats and mice
Canaries
Moles; shrews
Rabbits
Squirrels; chipmunks
Ferrets (domestic; European)
Lovebirds
Guinea pigs
Cockatiels
Hamsters
Parrots
Finches
Myna birds
Toucans
Doves: ringed, ruddy, and diamond
Button quail
Prairie dogs
Chinchillas

I like your cage set-up. It's a very nice cage size in my opinion.
Are you FF&W licensed?

I am unsure why you need to be licensed... are you planning to be a breeder? If so, I believe it is the USDA that you need to worry about first... even then you have to have more than 3 breeding females to require getting a license. I suggest you pm GC member jaxsuggies (her name is Paula) as she is a breeder here in FL and knows more than I do about the rules and regulations for breeding. Or you can visit her website at www.firstcoastsuggies.com

Side note: I have been to Paula's home and I assure you that her cages are NOT 4 X 4 X 4 (neither inches nor feet) she has cages similar to mine but they are "double stacks" so that it is 2 cages one on top of the other on a single stand

I am planning on breeding and to my understanding, with even one breeding pair, you must be FF&W licensed. That is what I was told. I already have the USDA paperwork at my house and I am getting more gliders soon so the USDA part is going fine. I'm just confused as to why the FF&W require such a large cage.

Its just how the state of FL requirements work. Many are FF&W licensed as well as USDA (same rules apply) and so long as the cages are the minimum or larger they get inspected and pass. Not quite sure why they even have that on the books anymore?

HI Sallie
I am also a licensed USDA breeder in Miami. I have standard flight cages. I think they measure 32x21x37. They are plenty big enough for a pair or more in each cage. I have passed my inspection with no questions with these cages. I was concerned about the size when I read the info in the by laws by I have had no problems with my cages. You also do not have to have a license until you have 3 breeding females.

I know the USDA requires 3 breeding females but I thought it was only 1 breeding pair with the FF&W?
I have been looking up the USDA requirements for sometime now but I did not know that you had to be FF&W licensed as well. Now that I know that, I am looking up that info and was kinda shocked to see such a large cage as the minimum.
So a flight cage that measures 72" H x 30" W x 40" D should have no problem passing the cage requirements for the USDA or the FF&W, right?