I have been tearing these forums and other sources up for months... and I can honestly say what a jungle to weave through! There is so much data that contradicts other data... However, I think I have a pretty firm grasp on the basics.

I am purchasing two unrelated baby boys this weekend from a USDA liscensed breeder. She seems lovely. She has been raising gliders for 10 years. She has quite a family of animals... exotic birds, greyhounds, etc. She seems very kind and knowledgeable. However, I've been trying to figure out what is required of USDA breeder. I see everywhere to make sure your breeder is USDA... but I can't figure out what it is that the USDA does to monitor/approve these breeders.

Second, these babies are of different parents. They are about a week apart in age. I am wondering if there will be any real complications raising them together in the same cage right off the bat?

thanks!

My suggestion is to get a general consensus ask the same question to as many as possible and then make your own decision. I was told a 6 ft cage is too much room. LOL Gliders in the wild can cover MILES in a day. So after much research I discovered many people have have opinions and few have facts. I stick to facts!
RE: USDA
They inspect the property and housing of the gliders of breeders insuring that they have a critical disaster/incident plan, emergency supplies, physical capture equipment, etc. They also require fees for licensing.
I have found some people "say" they are USDA breeders but you will know if they are lying by the time you are ready to hand over cash. If they don't have you fill out some paper work and check your residency then 9 out of 10 they are just using the title of USDA breeder and are really not!

thanks.. and the other question? i see people talk about quarantines for introducing a new glider... but what about two young gliders into a new environment?

As long as the boys are being housed together before you get them they don't need to be quarantined away from each other.

ok, well... i planned to purchase two together... however, she only held one for me and sold the other. so, now i am purchasing a single glider.

while i am still very excited about this, i am wondering how long i should wait before i get him a friend? I am on this same breeder's waiting list and i'd like to get him a friend asap!

The sooner the better!

ok.. well.. im on this breeders waiting list for the next available...

I am purchasing a boy. I wouldn't mind a little girl, but i'm not sure that I should be handling matings gliders yet. So, I assume I should get him another little boy to be his friend. I've read that if you get them to different in size it could affect their bonding... so should i wait until he is full grown?

They really should be similar in size before being introduced. Are you able to get one the same age? I think it's very smart to not get a female as a new owner. Once you've had them a while and see what they're like to take care of, then you may decide down the road to change your mind. Do keep in mind for the future though, you should never have more males than females housed together...especially if they are not neutered. They will fight over her and she could get very hurt too.

Whether you get another male or a female you would want to look into neutering. Unneutered males tend to fight over territory and as you aid if you get a female they will mate.

what is the neuter age?

http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?MostCommonQuestionsAskedByNewSuggieOwners #14

thanks!

I am happy to help!

Weight is extremely important. They should be at least 65 grams before getting neutered. My vet did one of mine at 12 weeks, one at 16 weeks and one that was over a year old.

im super bummed that he wont have a friend right off the bat... if i am getting them from the same breeder, do i still need to do the same quarantine procedure?

I'm sorry if I keep hammering questions!

Next question. I spend a lot of time in my bed room. I also usually go to sleep around 4 AM due to my work schedule. So, I would like to keep my glider cage in my room with me. I know a lot of people don't because the playing and noises keep them up at night.. but it doesn't bother me one bit. Would there be an issue with this?

As far as the quarantine, I wouldn't think they'd need to be separated if they're coming from the same place. As far as all the noises, it honestly just bothers some and not others. I had them in my room for a while, until I had another room to put them in. It was much nicer then. LOL If you go to sleep at 4 a.m., they'll probably go back to sleep not too long after that so it may not bother you as much.

Mine wouldn't have bothered me in my room if it wasn't for the noisy wodent wheel they are very fond of. So I opted to keep the wheel and move them out of my room.

trial and error it is! naively, i think i could handle any noise they may make. but, we'll have to see :) you guys have been great! im trying to wade through all this information... and having some direct opinions from other companion parents is super helpful.

i know this is a big one... and i've read thread after thread about this... but i'm still hung up on diet. I obviously won't give them some dry pellet diet. BML and HPW seem to be the most common/safe diet. I've read a few places that HPW people seem to like it over BML because 'bml can have some negative long term concerns'. however, im yet to see what these concerns are. I made an appointment with a vet for a week from monday (about a week after I get my new friend). I spoke with her on the phone this morning and she suggests the 'leadbeater' diet... which i assume she means bml. anyone have any light on whats negative about this diet vs. hpw?

A lot of people's concerns about BML is the iron and sugar content. I'll see if I can find some of those old threads. The only negative I really ever hear about HPW is the honey content but some people have replaced some of that with applesauce. Let me see what I can dig up...

This is the exact thread I was thinking of. It's worth reading all of it too.

http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11516&whichpage=1

Lots of rescues use BML exclusively but you also have to remember that rescues get a lot of malnourished and sick gliders. BML seems to be great for that. As far as what is short term vs long term in months, years...? I really don't know. I don't feed either.

Luckyglider also runs a great rescue and has a diet he has formulated for his rescue. He's done extensive research on different diets and is usually more than happy to discuss it. I haven't seen him on in the last few days but I'm sure he'd answer an email or message.

This link has his recipe:

http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23784&whichpage=1

If you want to contact him (Ed), you can go up to "members" and find "luckyglider". Click on his name and you can message him from there. Hope that helps some!

Actually, HPW has more sugar in it than BML, I believe. And, the other concern that I have had with HPW is that it is low in calcium by itself. So, if your gliders do not consume the fruits and veggies as they should, there's the danger of low calcium intake. I guess this is really the case with most glider diets though, when you think about it.

The variety offered with a varied 50/25/25 diet, keeping in mind the optimal calcium to phosphorous ratios of 2:1 is probably really the best all around for suggies. I think it offers them the best nutritional and intellectual/emotional stimulation. I personally switch between a slightly altered (and nutritionally sound) BML and 50/25/25, to keep them from getting excessive amounts of iron in their diet, and from getting bored with the same foods all the time. It has worked well for my fuzzbutts for the past three years, and my veterinarians approve.

Keep in mind that when you get a second glider, even from the same breeder, you will still need to house them separately while the new glider adjusts to you and your home. Then you can do gradual introductions of the two gliders. Just because they come from the same breeder and you choose not to do a full 30 day quarantine, there is no guarantee that the two gliders will get along at their first meeting.

You may need to keep their cages close to each other, swap pouches and toys and introduce them during a play time or even several play times until you are sure they will not fight.

If you get the 2nd joey soon they will probably get along pretty quickly but if several months go by before you add to the family you may need to wait until the two gliders are close to being the same size.

Even if you do not do quarantine, because they come from the same breeder, you still need to have both gliders checked by a vet to make sure neither has any parasites that might be shared with the other.

Agreed!

haha.. ok... man, this stuff just goes in circles. I will say, I am concerned about the BML diet. I know nothing is perfect, but liver damage is no joke.

Is there a good guide on the 50/25/25 diet? and, my little guy is just a little joey... so is one diet better when they are younger?