In Reply to: i want to buy a sugar glider but i have a few questions.... posted by ferdinand on December 19, 1999 at 16:55:25:

: I am interested in buyibg a sugar glider but i have some qustions that i would like answered before i do......
: First, is it better to buy a male or a female?

That would depend on your personal preferrence. I much prefer the males. They seem to be more assertive about seeking out attention and wanting to be with me, the females are a bit shyer but love their attention as well. Gliders tend to have their own personalities and each one is so much different than the other.

I know it's good to buy 2, but I can only afford 1,

If you can only afford one, you have to ask yourself if you can afford all the extra expenses like the cage and supplies that your glider will need. What if your glider became ill? Could you afford emergency vet care?

which brings me to my next question. The pet store that I went to to look at the sugar gliders sell them for $200 for a male and $250 for a female. Is that very overpriced or is that the going rate?

Gliders are generally $150.00 to $400.00 depending on the area, location, supply and demand. It is best to get your glider from a breeder though and not a pet shop. Most often they are obtained from brokers and you have no idea of the genetic history of the glider, most pet shops do not know how to care for gliders, and generally they are not well handled which means that you may have to tame one enduring many pain bites that will draw blood. If you get a glider from a breeder most often you can see the parents of the glider, know their health history, and see how they are cared for. They will generally be well handled and easy to bond with.

Also, are they very loud at night, to the point where they might keep you awake?

Yes they are nocturnal and will bark and bounce around in their cage and run in their exercise wheels which can cause quite a racket. They are up and playing most of the night and will want you to play with them too!

Follow Ups: