I am still educating myself of Sugar Gliders before I make the big purchase, but had one question in regards to cages.

Does anyone know if the poly-resin ornaments, like the ones used in reptile cages are ok to use in Sugar Glider cages? I just want to use things that can look as natural as possible, and I read that real branches and things made of wood end up smelling and I'd have to throw them out in a few weeks or a month or two because of the odor. I am not one that is really interested in using platic 'chains' or like items as decor, but if I have to because of safety issues, then I will obviously do so.

Thanks for your help in advance.

okay I suggest plastic vines for a natural look like plastic ivy. With the wood that is COMPLETELY untrue I have plenty of wood perches and branches.. I just soak them in a solution of hot water and vinegar once a month and the smell is gone. However I'm not sure I know what poly-resin ornaments are (I'm a teen) but if you mean like those rock things used in reptile cages I believe those are safe but they have to be secured very well I'm still not sure though. If I can be of any assistance feel free to private message me. -Cassy

I wouldn't say it's completely UNtrue about the wood. Wood is porous, it soaks up whatever's on it. If someone has a cage made out of wood, that's not really possible to soak. You also have to be careful which kinds of wood you use as they are sapsuckers and will naturally chew/peel bark or wood and some are toxic to them. As far as the polyresin, I guess you'd have to just be careful of the finishes on them.

Personally I wouldn't use any wood or anything else that is porous, becauseit does soak up urine. I am not sure about soaking at as jbsgirl had said, but some things that are porous may get weak and fall apart from constantly being wet or moist.

I had some branches in my suggies cage. Had them in there for one week and soaked them in water and vinegar, did not work for me. Tried soaking in water and bleach. Still smelled like urine. I don't use wood in there anymore.
But if you do plan on using wood in there PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure it's safe. Here is a link to a listing of safe and unsafe woods/plants:
http://www.moondance-sugargliders.com/sugar_glider_plant-tree_information.htm

no i didn't mean they dont soak up urine after a while but it says they cant be used after like a few weeks up there.. i've had mine for a good three months and they're still fine but i do prefer fleece.. then again i dont really care about it looking natural

Me either...fleece is AWESOME. You can make so many things out of it, they love to play with it, sleep in it and you can throw it in the wash. That's my kind of maintenance!

I used to be a zookeeper, so I understand about wanting a natural environment and wanting natural enrichment, but I can tell you that if you get a glider, the limits on toys and enrichment are very high if you chose to use only natural looking items. Even with our snow leopards and wolverine and the like, we used boxes and boomer balls and bowling pins along with natural type materials (logs, scents, rocks, food, ect.). Some of the best toys for an intelligent creature like a glider (which need enrichment daily if possible) with very nimble little paws are: baby toys/fisher price, wodent wheel, small wiffle balls, barrel of monkey, plastic rings, and bird toys. Even if you have a natural type of environment (fake plants and the like), you will still need fleece pouches and perhaps a rope or two as well. Yes the toys may not be appealing to look at-but they sure are a lot of fun to watch them play with!

i agree. i even have a small plastic hamster bed mine sleep in here is a link if u dont know what
im talking about or havent seen one. www.feedem.co.uk/small-animals-40/small-animal-toys-180/superpet-slumber-hamster-1462.htm
and i use plastic bird rings, this may not sound good but if u get the good ones and are careful you can use those little cat balls, with the bell inside mine love em.i also agree with the wiffle ball, and barrel of monkeys. those 2 seem to be most succesful.although i don't approve of the next link much, they have some good ideals for toys. : www.sugar-gliders.com/glider-toys-list.htm i could post more but i really just dont wanna cause im tired and bored so yeah enjoy

Thanks for all your input everyone! It sounds like I will mix and match with items that look natural along with vibrant platic toys.

P.S. 'Barrel of Monkeys' have been posted two times...I was just curious what or how the sugar gliders play with those?

You hang them from the top of the cage and they love to knock them down and carry them around.

LOL

They also like to take them back to their pouch or other hideouts.

Mine also enjoy the little rings that come from the lids on milk and juice bottles. Just be sure to cut them so it's an open ring to prevent them from getting stuck in them and injured.

I love opening up the pouch and finding 6 or 7 monkeys hidden in there! It makes my day every time.

Moriko I laugh every time too!


And also if you look at many of our member's cages they look absolutely beautiful decked out with fleece bedding, toys, and brightly coloured toys.

Hopefully when I get my bigger cage I can invest in some of the fleece cage sets and make my cage more appealing to the eyes!

oh i found something wonderful if you go on www.petsmart.com and go to the reptile section they have a "basking" stump and it has a big hole in it if you put shredded fleece that would make a cute natural hide out

my babies carry their monkeys around in the cage. i hang them from the shelf and in the morning i find the in the pouch with them. they love rope too.

OMG, that picture is too cute!

My babies love to take their straws back into their pouch with them. One time I pulled 10 straws out of the pouch. I can hear them sometimes playing in the pouch with the straws and the pouch bouncing around like crazy with them playing in there.