 | Posted by: | Ginny, gwesson@netscape.net | | Subject: | Researching | | When: | 12:13 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 198.140.4.13 |
I just wanted to let you know how great this site is. I am strictly in the research phase. My husband and I are very serious about pet ownership and don't just jump in. I had just a passing knowledge about sugar gliders before, but am very pleased with what I have read so far. Even if I decide that this year isn't the best time for me to adopt, I'm enjoying reading about yours.
I'm getting conflicting info on their diet, but am compiling enough info that I should be able to work that out prior to making a final decision. Right now, I have one general question.
Does playtime have to involve letting them have the run of the room/house? I could work around that for one small room, but initially that is frightening since I picture them disappearing in my airvents. I read that some of you let them out all night. If their housing is big enough, is keeping them confined except when outside with you enough? Some people sleep with them? It seems too dangerous for me, and my husband would have serious objections. I guess I'm trying to find out exactly what some of you do with your playtime and evenings. And would this come into the question of having only one or having two? I'm getting alot of conflicting info.
Meanwhile, I'll keep reading your posts! Thanks for all your info.
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| Posted by: | KarenE, KarenElfrank@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 3:44 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.193.34 |
Welcome to this site. It is so REFRESHING to have someone here who is doing all the "legwork" before they get a glider.
There are many diet regimes available for gliders which are healthy. Research will be your best tool to determine which will be right for your glider .... and then, G O D forbid, you won't get a picky eater like some of us have. For us it seems like a neverending battle to get the correct amount of protein/fruits/veggies in them.
But don't be put off by that, on the whole, most gliders will adapt to a specific diet (I sure hope I don't have to eat my words for telling you this)
Now for the sleeping with the owner at night ... ABSOLUTELY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LET THIS HAPPEN.
Go to the real stories and read about my Charlie.
I would recount the story for you, but even after almost three years, it is extremely painful to remember. Just don't do it. It is not a risk worth taking.
As for letting them have the run of the house all night ... I don't agree with this practice. Gliders should be supervised when outside their cage at all times. There are just too many places and things they can get into. You would be surprised what they manage to squeeze themselves into.
As long as you spend time with them, supervised, outside their cage at night, they should be perfectly happy to play on their own once you have gone to bed. However, don't be alarmed when you hear a distant barking in an attempt to tell you that they don't feel playtime is over. Afterall, they don't need much sleep at night so why should you 
Making sure that they have ample toys inside their cage will keep them occupied when you are not available. Let me add that a wodent wheel is an absolute necessity for gliders. It will give them endless hours of fun and exercise.
The question of one or two gliders is a complex one. Most gliders are content to be "only gliders" as long as you spend as much time as possible with them. Teach them to ride in your pocket while they are sleeping and they will be happy as little clams. It is not a good idea to get two gliders just to cut down on the time you will spend with them. It will also increase the time you need to spend in the bonding process. All gliders have their own distinct personality, so bonding with one quickly does not mean that the second one will be the same. It is quite possible that the original glider will become a little jealous and revert somewhat (just like a child would when another sibling comes along 
I hope I haven't been too long winded and have answered some of your questions.
Please keep us posted on what you decide. Good luck and happy gliding
| Posted by: | Gliderlover, Angie_nightgirl@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 5:25 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 24.65.233.144 |
KarenE, my real story is Emily, I guess we both know the same kind of pain.
Believe me, no matter how close you are to your glider never sleep with it. Its been about a year for me and it hurts like it just happened yesterday. I'm so glad that you are doing lots of research before buying a sugar glider Ginny. There are many wonderful web pages to research sugar glider information.
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/</a>
<a href=http://www.pawprintonline.com/frames.html>http://www.pawprintonline.com/frames.html</a>
(go to Critter Central)
<a href=http://www.sugarglider.net/links/pages/>http://www.sugarglider.net/links/pages/</a>
These should help!
Angie ;)
| Posted by: | KarenE, KarenElfrank@aol.com | | Subject: | Emily | | When: | 5:37 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.193.169 |
I remember reading, and I just reread, Emily's story. I know how you felt. It's horrible to lose a glider that way. As we both know it was so unnecessary. I wish I had known about the hazard in time to save Charlie, but maybe we can keep it from happening to someone else. We'll sure give it the ole college try, won't we?
By the way, my first name is Emily.
| Posted by: | Bourbon | | Subject: | Ginny | | When: | 7:29 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 216.248.35.210 |
Welcome, I commend you for researching the issues are very controversioal, that is where the bases like this help, it helps to pull out outdated info and sort the current into an understand workable way. I am sure you have read som controversys.. is there any we can start a fight with .. lol just kidding. but seriously you used the word controversy wwith giving some examples.. that definitly would have helped some.
As for the run of the room, Karen and Angie may cream till they are blue in the face, but some won't learn till theyselves learn the hard way.
as for during playtime, one room is sufficient, you can start in a small room like the bathrrom, but be sure it is protected.. holes seats etc..
there is a wonderful gliderproofing page we have compiled at
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/proofing.html>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/proofing.html</a>
that should give you a hand there, the diet issues and controversial issues can be looked into a bit here.
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/dietc.html>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/dietc.html</a>
the realstories page..almost a must with anyone with gliders or who want them..
<a href=http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/realstories>http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/realstories</a>
| Posted by: | Dawn, Capriceb@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 8:01 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.198.177 |
I agree about allowing them the run of the house -- our gliders are only out of the cage when they have our supervision, and we went to great pains to "glider proof" well before they ever set foot outside the cage. I agree with Bourbon about starting in a bathroom -- it works really well because there usually isn't a lot a furniture and "stuff" they can get into, so they are forced to play on/with you if they want to play.
Some glider proofing tips -- make sure the underside of any furniture is sealed up tight (our Weezer finds any gap in furniture fabric and gets inside -- scary as all get out), use socket protectors, make sure you're not using harsh/scented chemicals near them, make sure that any little crevice they can get into that there is also a way for you to get in and get them out if necessary, .....I could go on forever, but I'm going to go play with my gliders now instead! 
| Posted by: | Gliderlover, Angie_nightgirl@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 9:40 PM, 17 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 24.65.233.144 |
Hi KarenE (Emily)
Yes it is so unnecesary what happened to us. I never fathomed such a thing happening, but since I didn't know better I learned the hard way. I lost so much on that night, both my precious Emily and her sweet baby boy who was to open his eyes very soon (I estimated his eyes would have opened exactly on the day I lost him)  I was so close to her and my boy who is still with me (my male Mojo who now has a mate named Mango and a daughter named Gypsy). I would never want anyone to lose a pet this way, I will always feel guilty. So the Real stories are very important so no glider and glider owner has to suffer for the same reasons over and over again. Any new owner or people who are interested in gliders should read the real stories (all of them, I know there sad). It is so important.
Angie
| Posted by: | Ginny, gwesson@netscape.net | | Subject: | Thank you so much! | | When: | 10:21 AM, 18 Oct 2000 | | IP: | 198.140.4.13 |
Thanks guys for all the encouragement! I was worried about inquiring about a glider when I didn't actually have one. I've been reading the Real Stories whenever possible - I get teary eyed with each one, and reading them at work as I do, I can't read more than one at time. Each person that puts up a Real Story should be commended. It helps absolutely everyone.
Thanks again! And I'll be going to all the sites you suggested. I've found a local vet listed on one of the sites, and a local breeder. But it will be months yet before I get to that point.
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