I would recommend getting a sugar glider from a local knowledgeable breeder. This way, you can have someone locally that can help you with any questions you may have with you new glider, after it comes home. Also, you will have a chance to visit the place your glider is being born and raised, making sure it is clean and a safe place. You may also be able to find sugar gliders in a local pet store, but please, make sure the pet store is knowledgeable in sugar gliders. There are many pet stores that sell sugar gliders, but have very little knowledge in care or diet. Never try to save a sugar glider from a pet store by buying the animal, as this will only encourage them. Another option is to find a breeder through the Internet. Sugar gliders can be shipped, proper care is taken to see that it is done correctly. Most of the time the gliders will sleep through the entire experience. However, I wouldn't recommend this unless you could find no other alternative. Always ask questions when choosing a place to get your glider such as:
* How long have they been in business?
* Is there a guarantee of health?
* Do they offer "after-sale" support?
* Are the USDA licensed? (USDA license not required if they own 3 or less breeding females)
* Do they have any references?
You can expect a lot of questions being asked to you also, as a good breeder will make sure there sugar gliders are going to a good home. Too many people rush into getting these wonderful animals without considering what is best for the sugar glider or themselves, leaving many sugar gliders homeless as soon as the novelty wears off.
Choosing your sugar glider:
Once you decide on where to get your glider, the time has come to pick your new glider. I would recommend getting a baby glider approximately 8-10 weeks out of pouch. Never purchase a sugar glider younger than 8 weeks of age. Always choose a glider that is bright eyed and bushy tailed, as this would mean that the glider is fully weaned, and ready to live on it's own. Make sure the young glider is eating properly, and isn't suckling on the mother any longer. You want a glider that is active, alert, and curious in nature. Be sure that the stools (poop) of the sugar glider is formed properly, and looks similar to moist mouse droppings. Ask to handle the glider, it shouldn't act afraid to be handled, and run at the first chance it gets. Every sugar glider is different. Some gliders may be shy around strangers. In cases such as these watch the breeder/owner handle the glider. If the glider appears afraid or tries to escape from the breeder/owner, ask questions. Try to keep in mind that even gliders can have a bad day, but be aware of the sugar gliders temperament.
Where to take caution when getting your sugar glider:
* Pet Stores- There may be a FEW exceptions to this rule, however when possible avoid purchasing sugar gliders from pet stores. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals requiring daily human interaction. Most pet stores are closed during the times the sugar glider would be most active and wanting attention. Pet stores are loud, and can be quite busy with many different sounds and smells causing stress to the sugar gliders in their care. Most pet store employees know little about these wonderful creatures, their care, and their diet. A lot of pet stores will look to "simplify" a gliders diet, in turn compromising a gliders health, as well as passing on inaccurate information to new sugar gliders owners. Should you find a pet store you believe is safe, be sure to ask questions. Test them on their knowledge, and then decide.
* Glider Mills- These are sad places where sugar gliders are kept in the poorest conditions. Little is thought of their care, health, or wellbeing. Animals coming from these places can be sick, and carry several different illnesses.
* Flea Markets or Trade Shows
* Buying Colors from unknown breeders, especially "hets". Ask for references and lineages of their gliders. Any breeder that is legitimate won't mind you asking questions. Beware of "cheap" colors or "hets" from unknown breeders and lines.
Sugar gliders are very social animals. It is usually recommended that sugar gliders are kept in pairs. Gliders that are lonely can over groom, or even self mutilate. Please understand that loneliness is NOT the only possible cause of a sugar glider that is self mutilating. If you ever experience a sugar glider self mutilating, get to a knowledgeable vet ASAP. Extremely lonely and depressed sugar gliders have also been known to stop eating and basically "loose the will to live". Although these are extreme cases, it is something a responsible sugar glider owner must take into consideration and be prepared for.
Some sugar gliders tend to be "ok" when they are alone, but are prone to obesity and boredom. While you are a great "friend" and "playmate" for your sugar glider, you can't play, wrestle, and communicate like another sugar glider would. People are not usually nocturnal like sugar gliders. They will need someone to play and interact with in the wee hours of the morning, and a warm body to cuddle up to while they are asleep in their cage. From the lack of playing and stimulation that another sugar glider can provide, some sugar gliders may over eat and become obese. Of coarse there have been a select few cases where a sugar glider really was just fine being the only glider, but that is truly rare. Any sugar glider that is housed alone needs to be watched carefully to ensure the animals health and happiness remain intact. We do not recommend sugar gliders to be housed alone long term. Sometimes an owner may want to bond with one sugar glider, then consider another down the road. We do understand this process works for many new sugar glider owner. Most responsible breeders will not sell a sugar glider that is intended to be housed alone it's entire life.
* How long have they been in business?
* Is there a guarantee of health?
* Do they offer "after-sale" support?
* Are the USDA licensed? (USDA license not required if they own 3 or less breeding females)
* Do they have any references?
You can expect a lot of questions being asked to you also, as a good breeder will make sure there sugar gliders are going to a good home. Too many people rush into getting these wonderful animals without considering what is best for the sugar glider or themselves, leaving many sugar gliders homeless as soon as the novelty wears off.
Choosing your sugar glider:
Once you decide on where to get your glider, the time has come to pick your new glider. I would recommend getting a baby glider approximately 8-10 weeks out of pouch. Never purchase a sugar glider younger than 8 weeks of age. Always choose a glider that is bright eyed and bushy tailed, as this would mean that the glider is fully weaned, and ready to live on it's own. Make sure the young glider is eating properly, and isn't suckling on the mother any longer. You want a glider that is active, alert, and curious in nature. Be sure that the stools (poop) of the sugar glider is formed properly, and looks similar to moist mouse droppings. Ask to handle the glider, it shouldn't act afraid to be handled, and run at the first chance it gets. Every sugar glider is different. Some gliders may be shy around strangers. In cases such as these watch the breeder/owner handle the glider. If the glider appears afraid or tries to escape from the breeder/owner, ask questions. Try to keep in mind that even gliders can have a bad day, but be aware of the sugar gliders temperament.
Where to take caution when getting your sugar glider:
* Pet Stores- There may be a FEW exceptions to this rule, however when possible avoid purchasing sugar gliders from pet stores. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals requiring daily human interaction. Most pet stores are closed during the times the sugar glider would be most active and wanting attention. Pet stores are loud, and can be quite busy with many different sounds and smells causing stress to the sugar gliders in their care. Most pet store employees know little about these wonderful creatures, their care, and their diet. A lot of pet stores will look to "simplify" a gliders diet, in turn compromising a gliders health, as well as passing on inaccurate information to new sugar gliders owners. Should you find a pet store you believe is safe, be sure to ask questions. Test them on their knowledge, and then decide.
* Glider Mills- These are sad places where sugar gliders are kept in the poorest conditions. Little is thought of their care, health, or wellbeing. Animals coming from these places can be sick, and carry several different illnesses.
* Flea Markets or Trade Shows
* Buying Colors from unknown breeders, especially "hets". Ask for references and lineages of their gliders. Any breeder that is legitimate won't mind you asking questions. Beware of "cheap" colors or "hets" from unknown breeders and lines.
Sugar gliders are very social animals. It is usually recommended that sugar gliders are kept in pairs. Gliders that are lonely can over groom, or even self mutilate. Please understand that loneliness is NOT the only possible cause of a sugar glider that is self mutilating. If you ever experience a sugar glider self mutilating, get to a knowledgeable vet ASAP. Extremely lonely and depressed sugar gliders have also been known to stop eating and basically "loose the will to live". Although these are extreme cases, it is something a responsible sugar glider owner must take into consideration and be prepared for.
Some sugar gliders tend to be "ok" when they are alone, but are prone to obesity and boredom. While you are a great "friend" and "playmate" for your sugar glider, you can't play, wrestle, and communicate like another sugar glider would. People are not usually nocturnal like sugar gliders. They will need someone to play and interact with in the wee hours of the morning, and a warm body to cuddle up to while they are asleep in their cage. From the lack of playing and stimulation that another sugar glider can provide, some sugar gliders may over eat and become obese. Of coarse there have been a select few cases where a sugar glider really was just fine being the only glider, but that is truly rare. Any sugar glider that is housed alone needs to be watched carefully to ensure the animals health and happiness remain intact. We do not recommend sugar gliders to be housed alone long term. Sometimes an owner may want to bond with one sugar glider, then consider another down the road. We do understand this process works for many new sugar glider owner. Most responsible breeders will not sell a sugar glider that is intended to be housed alone it's entire life.