In Reply to: If you want a glider read this post.. posted by Bourbon on June 26, 1999 at 05:32:36:

Great post Bourbon! I think even after you research you better be ready for the unexpected-like getting them home and not eating, or discovering a problem with vets.They are alot of work and take up alot of your time.I love my babies with all my heart, but even with the books I've read from cover to cover and glider boards, websites, etc, I'm still asking questions and continue to pick people's brains.They are a very different animal and require alot of attention.

: RESEARCH first!! for at least 3 to six months.. Go 6 months as if you already have one.stay up toill 4 in the morning, don't fall asleep. Cut up fresh fruits and veggies EVERY night.. Find a petstore that has untamed, scared gliders. See if you think they are still cute when you get bit. and if they are untamed you will get bit. but don't pull your hand away, take the bite, How many of those bites are you going to take? My glider doesn't have a mean bone in her body, but she can change at any given time for any given reason. Find a glider knowledgable vet.. then find out how much it would cost to run a total series of tests in the middle of the night. You may have to do this, and trust me it isn't cheap, I just recieved an email from a woman that had spent over 400.00 in a 2 day period, just to keep her glider alive. If money is an issue then a glider isn't for you. Don't expect to get a cheap glider..Don't expect it to be loveing and cute, and cuddly..The bonding process takes months.. learn all you can about them, No one knows everything, EVERYONE of us still is learning about them. What was once acceptable is no longer alright.. Too much controversy out there. come back here often and see what the newest update is. If you are in an illegal state.. think twice about wanting a glider. That glider don't have a choice as to what happens to it, but you will know in advance if you are caught with it, it WILL be confiscated, it WILL be put down.. so in a sense you will be responsible for the life of that glider if it is confiscated. They do pee and poop wherever they want, don't expect to litter train it, and don't be surprised if you get it, and later decide it is too much work, or takes to much of your time, that we all here won't jump both feet into the post.. we are tired of people thinking they are cute, then later deciding they are too much work. They are very unique animals, with very unique needs. It takes someone VERY dedicated to the species, to be a GOOD glider parent.. Just ask yourself if you are ready to take on the responsibility of a baby for the next 15 years. Midnight feeding, midnight noises. temper tantrum, bitings, and not potty trained. The house MUST be gliderproofed. They will scratch and gouge you with their claws. You can not for any reason tap them on the nose, yell at them or get angry in anyway shape or form. Ask yourself if you are not self supporting if whoever is supporting you, will spend hundreds of dollars, if this glider gets sick. Are you able to get it to a vet if necessary. Do you go on vacations? What will you do with your glider? They will die if they break a leg, get depressed, or even catch a cold. Some die and it costs lots of money to find out why..What will you feed it? What will you keep it in? What temps can they tolerate? RERSEARCH>>> spend all the time learning how to really care for your friend.. Cute isn't everything.. Talk to people that have problems with their gliders, biting, nipping, not bonding.. Chances are you have seen a "bonded sweet" glider.. well here is a reality bite for all of you.. It takes LOTS of time, patience, and perserverance, to bond with a glider. It doesn't come naturally, You can get the sweetest glider from one of the best breeeders and it can turn viciously mean on you. It doesn't take much to blow a trust. but it takes even longer to rebuild it. That brings us to smell. They will smell, till you LEARN, how to feed it right, clean the cages properly, and know what to expect.. There is nothing here that isn't true. You can only find these answers with RESEARCH and LOTS of it..If you rush into this now.. you may regret it later.. I know I will..

Follow Ups: