Message:
Subject: My response to: A site with a nasty attitude toward gliders...
Posted by Kevin Williams on January 07, 1999 at 16:32:47:
In Reply to: A site with a nasty attitude toward gliders... posted by Elwin Bullard on January 02, 1999 at 13:48:56:
: Send them a piece of your mind...
: http://www.azstarnet.com/~polson/gliders.htm
While no email address was readily apparent, I took a shot, and send the following letter to polson@azstarnet.com:
I'd like to take this opportunity to update some of the information presented on the web page at http://www.azstarnet.com/~polson/gliders.htm and to rebut some of the conclusions drawn there.
Lack of Domestication: Granted, sugar gliders have not been domesticated for centuries like dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, etc. The have, however, been kept as pets for many years, and have been bred for many generations.
Odor: I would not characterize the odor as very strong, and I find it far less offensive than the odor of a domesticated cat's litter box. Also, I do not consider consistent changing of a sugar glider's nesting materials to be an unreasonable task. It's far easier than cleaning a cat's litter box or following a dog around with a shovel.
Nocturnal nature: Obviously this is a factor to consider when deciding on a sugar glider as a pet. However, with an adequate cage, sufficient food and water, and a small night light in the hall, our sugar gliders wake us up no more than a couple times a month.
Aggressiveness: It has been frequently reported that adult sugar gliders are not always accepting of new gliders, and that a period of acclimation is recommended. However, this is also true of dogs, cats, and any number of other "domesticated" species. Obviously, care must be taken when introduction new sugar gliders to each other. The statement that "This aggressive nature could result in a biting or scratching behavior towards the owner" is highly speculative. There is a period of adjustment between a sugar glider and its new owner, but from my research, nearly all gliders become very accepting of their owners. The exceptions generally turn out to be wild-captured gliders.
Size: The issues related to size are not unique to sugar gliders. Any pet of this size can potentially be crushed by careless children. At this point, I think there has been sufficient evidence to state that hind leg paralysis is caused by a diet lacking in calcium rather than improper handling or even wire mesh cages.
Health Problems: Again, as our experience with sugar gliders continues to grow, we learn more about the causes of illness that affect our sugar gliders. We know that hind leg paralysis is most likely caused by a calcium deficiency and can be treated. We also have strong evidence pointing to the cause of cataracts and blindness. Veterinarians are also gaining and sharing experience. We are living in the information age, and the benefit of even one person's experience can now be made available to the global community almost instantly.
Socialization: No argument here.
Expense: I think the expense of purchasing a sugar glider works to the benefit of both the owner and pet. For many, the cost eliminates sugar gliders as an impulse purchase and encourages adequate research and preparation for ownership. I take issue with the statement that "no one seems to know the animal's life span or health care needs." While sugar gliders have not been kept as pets for very long in the United States, the have been kept and studies in other countries. The average life span in the wild is about eight years, and 10-12 years or more in captivity.
Environmental destruction: Domestic breeding stocks have been well-established in this country for several years. I would seriously doubt that the sugar glider trade in this country has any measurable affect on the environment of their native habitat.
"Exotic" and "Fad" Pets: I'm not sure what to say here. The only statements of fact indicate that sugar gliders have successfully been kept as pets for years. All the information gained from this experience indicates that the answer to the question "Can these elements be successfully recreated in the United States?" is a resounding YES. As for the other questions, I'm not sure that they deserve a response. We are not taking sugar gliders from their damp, forested homes and forcing them to live in a hot, dry desert. We are inviting them to share a controlled environment with adequate food, water and housing, away from many of the factors, including natural predation, that would shorten their life expectancy.
There is ample evidence to indicate that sugar gliders make wonderful, healthy, affectionate pets. As with any pet, however, sugar gliders require a commitment to their well-being. Not everybody is qualified to keep sugar gliders as pets., but then not everybody is qualified to keep dogs, cats, or horses.
Thank you.
Kevin Williams