How to Select A Sugar Glider

Sugar gliders are wonderful little marsupials from Australia. They are no longer imported from Australia, although a few are imported from Indonesia. Most of the Sugar Gliders available are captive bred, and there is a big difference in quality from breeder to breeder. So how do you pick out sugar glider to take home for a pet?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• some knowledge about diet and care of a sugar glider... do some research.

1. Find a breeder. The breeder should be USDA licensed to breed and sell sugar gliders. The exception to this is a hobby breeder who sells from their home and only has a couple of breeding pairs.

2. Visit the breeding facility to see what in conditions the sugar gliders live. Look around. The facility should be clean and odor free. The sugar gliders should have room to play in their cages.

3. Ask to see a baby. You want to buy a baby that is no less than 8 and not more than 10 weeks out of its mother's pouch.

4. The baby and parents should have soft, silky thick fur. Beware of thin fur or bald spots, other than the fathers bald head and chest gland. The fur should be clean.

5. The eyes should be round and wide set. They should be clear with no discharge.

6. The tail should be long and fluffy. Beware of skinny tails with sparse fur.

7. The baby may be scared at first and may crab at you, but it should calm down quickly and be curious about you. It should snuggle up to you.

8. Verify the gender of the baby. Boys will have a pom pom in the middle of their tummy and girls will have a small slit into their pouch in the same place.

9. Observe the babies poop... it should be formed stool. not runny and not hard.

10. Ask for a health guarantee for the baby. Reputable breeders will provide one.

11. Plan on a vet wellness check for your new baby. Include testing for parasites...

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy your new suggie and remember that your baby needs to spend time with you every day to bond with you. Time invested now will pay off in a wonderful pet.
• Beware of thin fur or bald spots, other than the fathers bald head and chest gland.
• Beware of thin tail with sparse hair
• Beware of runny stool
• Beware of coarse fur
• Beware of dirty or smelly fur
• Beware of discharge from eyes or ears

[amylaine]

on 4/6/2009 Great info on how to select a sugar glider. Very interesting.

[eyeopening]

on 2/12/2009 I think they're adorable. Excellent tips! You know your stuff. :-)

[ermabombeck]

on 1/14/2009 How interesting it is that there are so many options out there for pets these days. Great info!

[MidniteWriter]

on 7/9/2008 That must be what is in your picture!! I just realized that now!

[Life-is-sweet]

on 1/26/2008 Awesome, thanks Angel. I actually didn't even know what in the world sugar gliders were until I saw your little Daisey. If I had a bigger place, I would buy one as a pet.