In Reply to: new mommy with a few questions posted by Mandy on October 13, 1999 at 21:09:31:

Hi Mandy,

You seem to be doing great so far with your new gliders!

In regards to worrying about their diet, dont worry so much that they will necessarily starve if you give them food they dont like.

If you can tell us what diet you have for you little guys, I'll be happy to suggest a few different foods, but with gliders

they can tend to be picky...one day they may hate the site of a tomato, the next it will seem like its their favorite food. All it takes is trial and

error. If you dont already, you might like to look at Lea's sugar glider recipie board for some ideas..as well as trying the Leadbeaters Mix, which is

listed in recipie form on the same site. In regards to your running out of glideraide..I myself have never used it, so I cant tell you how important it is to their diet,

however I do use Glider Booster, (or a product called Repcal..with the pink label, phostphate free). It is very important for gliders to recive Vitamins and Minerals in their diet,

calcium especially. So seeing how you've just recently brought the gliders into your care, it might pay to get them on the correct diet, it isnt a good idea to change their diets

too much, in relation to different suppliments..in which Bourbon knows more than I do! LOL

But do vary their fruit and vegies, try lots of diffrent things, and find what they do like..and dont like. But do try the Leadbeaters, most of us on the board here swear by it,

and if you make it exactly the same as the recipie states..your little guys will LOVE it too!

In regards to finding either Glider Booster or Repcal, ask at a pet shop, they may be able to get it in for you, or even an exotic pet store should have some..but if your using repcal, remember to get the Phosphate free one.

With pouches etc.. the link at the bottom of this message is a good place to start.

In relation to Dehydration, ALWAYS make sure gliders have a fresh water supply, check everyday that they have water, and that their water feeder is clean and not leaking. Gliders can die of dehydration quickly, especially nursing

mothers. The dehydration test I have done in dogs and cats, and Im only assuming that its the same with gliders..and that is if you gently pinch their skin at the base of their neck on their back.. and pull it up, much like a mother cat would a kitten

then let it go..if it goes down back into place, then the glider isnt dehydrated, if the skin takes a while to fall back, then quite possibly they might be dehydrated. But remember PLEASE do this gently, gliders have small bones and are very fragile.

But once again, Im not vet and I could be wrong, so if in doubt, always ask a vet who has some knowledge of gliders.

Goodluck Mandy, and I hope I helped a little.

Melinda

: Hi all, i love the page! i just recently got 2 gliders from a pet store ( I know that this is not recomended, but they seem to be ok). I got them about 3 weeks apart, and my female is much smaller than my male. Tamur (the male) is doing well, except that he likes to run away alot, but i've tried to back off a little and let him cometo me, and this seems to be working well. My major questions are about their eating habbits. I know that they need a very well balanced diet, but how can i force this upon them if they seem to only like certain foods? I'm afriad to leave them with just what then need, because maybe they won't eat it and will be hungry. But in the same way i don't want to give them what they want and disregard their well-being. Also i have read many things in here about pouches, carying cases, glider suppliments etc. I'm wondering where i can get some of these items. I got some glideraide from a small breeder that i met, but i am out and i know thati need more, i'm just not sure where to obtain it. Also, the other mix that is good, I think that it may start with a "B". And lastly, i have read about a "skin pulling" dehydration test, how is this administered properly, and what am I looking for? Thank you for your time and help, Mandy, Tamur and Gidget

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