Welcome Brittney! Good for you for researching first!!!  Just wanted to add some other food for thought.... I have had gliders now for only three months. I started with one and now have two. When I was told that they are awake at night and asleep during the day, I don't know why, but I thought as soon as it was nighttime that he would be up and ready to play. This was not the case. Mine doesn't get up until at least 11:00. For example, last night we were up playing until 1:00 AM. So it may be difficult for you being in school to stay up late enough to give your gliders attention. Also the food prep is more time consuming than what you're used to with your dog, cat, and birds. Sounds like you've researched their diets though and understand the importance of feeding them the proper nutrition. They require a big cage and it's not the kind of pet that you can leave with just anybody when you are out of town. So you may also think about who would be able to care for them in your absence. The bonding process takes a while and they will often crab a lot during this time. They will play all night and can be noisy.... actually it's not them that's noisy but all the toys that they play with creating racket. They can make different noises such as barking (similar to a small dog) and chirping throughout the night too. I'm not trying to talk you out of getting a pair because I absolutely adore mine, but they really are not the pet for everyone. I'm just trying to think of everything you should know going into it. How did you become interested in them? dunganp Starting Member 4 Posts There are a couple things everyone should know before taking on the care of a glider. They DO NOT do water: they don't swim and they are terrified of it. They don't seem to have any hard bones in their bodies except their skulls and so they are extemely delicate and must always be handled with care. They cannot be potty trained and will pee and poo on you at will especially right after they wake up. They do not like to be on the ground or floor as in the wild they are tree top animals and that is where they live. One other thing is that they require a LOT of attention. They can go mean and wild in a few days if ignored. You do not want to be bitten as their bottom teeth are like needles and about a half inch long. The teeth retreat into the jaw when they are not biting anything. Make sure there is a vet in your area that will treat exotic pets. GOOD LUCK1111 Something_To_Believe_In Face Hugger   647 Posts quote:
Originally posted by dunganp
There are a couple things everyone should know before taking on the care of a glider. They DO NOT do water: they don't swim and they are terrified of it. They don't seem to have any hard bones in their bodies except their skulls and so they are extemely delicate and must always be handled with care. They cannot be potty trained and will pee and poo on you at will especially right after they wake up. They do not like to be on the ground or floor as in the wild they are tree top animals and that is where they live. One other thing is that they require a LOT of attention. They can go mean and wild in a few days if ignored. You do not want to be bitten as their bottom teeth are like needles and about a half inch long. The teeth retreat into the jaw when they are not biting anything. Make sure there is a vet in your area that will treat exotic pets. GOOD LUCK1111
There are so many things about this post that are inaccurate. I believe we owe it to those seeking information to provide accurate information. quote:
The teeth retreat into the jaw when they are not biting anything.
A glider's teeth do NOT retract. They are fixed in place, they are born with their teeth and they do not continue to grow. quote:
They DO NOT do water: they don't swim and they are terrified of it.
Gliders can swim for a short period of time. They can even survive in a rain storm in the wild. Most are not terrified of water. However, they cannot swim for long periods and they WILL get pneumonia if they get water in their lungs, so we HAVE TO be safe any time a glider is near water. quote:
They don't seem to have any hard bones in their bodies except their skulls and so they are extemely delicate and must always be handled with care.
While we must always be careful with our gliders because their bones are so tiny, they ARE still BONES. They are hard bones. Don't know where this information came from, but it is entirely misleading. Gliders have a body full of bones. They can easily be broken, but to say they are not hard is a complete falacy. They have a skeleton just like all mammals. Here is a glider x-ray - you can clearly see the density of the bones in the body. (this glider does have injuries) 
quote:
They do not like to be on the ground or floor as in the wild they are tree top animals and that is where they live.
Gliders will play on the floor of their cages and on the floor in a tent and on the floor of a play room all the time. To say they don't like to be there is misleading. They prefer to SLEEP up high, but they will make full use of a play space if they are provided proper enrichment opportunities. Here is a picture of one of my gliders playing amongst toys ON THE FLOOR of my play room: 
quote:
They can go mean and wild in a few days if ignored
Um, NO! A properly socialized glider will not turn mean if not given as much attention for a few days. One is allowed to go on vacation and leave them with a glider sitter or get ill and not take them out for play time or have life happen which leaves you unable to bond/play with your gliders from time to time without feeling like they are going to "go mean and wild." That is just absurd. If proper time is spent bonding with them and socializing them, then the glider will still be a sweet, social glider if you are away from them for a few days. The only time a glider's personality changes so dramatically in such a short period of time is when they are ILL. If you have experienced this, you should get your glider in for a thorough wellness exam ASAP. jungleflockmom Glider 175 Posts I could not handle my tame gliders for several months while having chemotherapy. They were almost as tame as before. Gliders never forget anything but after awhile they will become unused to interacting with you. They will not, however, forget that you treated them well and are not a threat.
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I love this picture Raven) 
. If they bite you they can draw blood.