I keep reading on here where people are saying that you should always have sugar gliders in pairs. I have only one male sugar glider (Gus) and he has been alone for 4 years now. He isn't depressed or anything, I'm just wondering if it's so bad that I have him alone? I have thought about getting another sugar glider but I don't know how he would react to him or her. He has been the only one for so long that I am scared to get another one. Since he is happy and healthy on his own, I don't know how important it is to really get another one. Any suggestions?

how do you know he is happy...i thought mine was too but after i got her a friend her personality changed soo much! i think it would be wise to get him a friend is he neutered?

I just wouldn't imagine he is depressed because we play every night and he jumps and climbs and pounces me all the time. I just don't see that as being depressed. I had a friend whose suggie was depressed and she didn't do anything. She didn't play or do much at all. Yes he is neutered.

Chelsey, just about everyone with a single glider says "I play with them all the time, I don't think he's depressed."..until the day they find their glider self mutilating, overgrooming, not eating (or overeating), etc...

And, even if he isn't "depressed", is he as happy as he could be as a single glider? I doubt it.

If I were you, I would find a friend for him. This would involve doing the quarantine process, and the intros...
And yeah, there's a chance that the new glider and the old glider won't get along.

Well I'm not "just about everybody." Gus has been my life ever since I got him. I'm not able to have children so he's my baby. And yes I do play with him every night and some through the day.

So if they don't get along then I'm just stuck with two gliders who hate each other? I don't want to put Gus in a stressful situation like that. I just don't see why he has to have another glider. I understand they are social animals but he has quite the social life with just my boyfriend and I.

You asked and we're honestly answering. They are colony animals. Period. He might spend daily time with you but even if you spent 4 hours with him every single night while he's awake and active, that leaves 20 alone. It isn't fair. If you are interested in some reasons why, here you go. If it doesn't answer the question for you, nothing will:

http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20771

http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24522&whichpage=1

http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26317&whichpage=1

How long ago was he neutered? I noticed in one of your pictures I can see some fur missing on his head...It may just be the 'bald spot' but normally that goes away after the neuter. Just asking because if it is not the 'bald spot' then it definately could be self mutilation..

Tisha, wouldn't it be overgrooming not self mutilation? Overgrooming is just as bad though, and from my understanding, self mutilation usually follows.

Wow! y'all both need to read up on sugar gliders. Most males have that bald spot on their head. He doesn't self mutilate or anything like that. His grooming habits are normal. I had him checked by a vet and that bald spot is completely normal.

Question: Why Does My Male Sugar Glider Have a Bald Spot on His Head?
Answer: Male sugar gliders have a distinct bald spot on the top of their head that appears as they reach sexual maturity (the age of this is variable, but often aroun 12-15 months of age for males). This area, which is a diamond shaped patch right on the forehead, is actually a scent gland. The male glider uses this scent gland to mark his female mate, his offspring, and his territory.

The male sugar glider actually has three scent glands: the one on his head, a second on his chest (which may appear as a small bald spot or may cause the fur to be slighly discolored in the area over the scent gland) and a third in the genital area (next to the cloaca). The female has scent glands in the genital area as well as in the pouch. Sugar gliders have a fairly mild odor, described as a sweet musky smell. While it may be a little stronger in the male at breeding season, it is not a strong or offensive odor.

A neutered male does not (to my knowledge at least -- and in comparison to my own neutered male who does not have a bald spot) have a bald spot. You said that your sugar glider is neutered, which is why Tisha is wondering about the bald spot.

He just got neutered a little over a year ago and he is four years old.

I might be wrong on this one, hopefully more experienced members will chime in...
but doesn't the bald spot disappear after neutering?

The vet never said anything about that. The spot is in the same spot, it hasn't got any bigger or smaller. He doesn't mess with it either.

Back to your question though...
Is it bad that you just have one sugar glider? In my opinion, yes. It's not far to the glider, even if you spend 12 hours a day with him. In my completely honest, and perhaps harsh, opinion, it is cruel to keep a lone glider unless it is a case where the glider must be kept alone for their own safety -- or for the safety of other gliders.. But those cases seem to be very, very rare.

quote:

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Originally posted by chelsey

Wow! y'all both need to read up on sugar gliders. Most males have that bald spot on their head. He doesn't self mutilate or anything like that. His grooming habits are normal. I had him checked by a vet and that bald spot is completely normal.

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Well if you don't want an honest opinion, why are you posting a question?

Gliders are social animals and they need other glider. Doesn't matter how much you rationalize it.

Your glider IS NOT as happy and healthy as he could be.
Your glider IS NOT in a good environment if you are not willing to learn.
Your glider IS suffering from YOUR ignorance.....


Don't waste everyones time trying to pick a fight. If you can't buy a glider because of money constraints then you shouldn't have one to begin with, and if you don't want to because "what if they don't like each other" then you should have started with two.

Take the advice we are giving you or at least from me there is no sympathy for YOU when you wake up and your glider has chewed his tail off and is lying dead at the bottom of the cage.

Again, my arguement is, how would you like to be stuck in a house with NO contact with anyone of your own species and the contact with other living creatures you had you couldn't commmunicate with, sleep with or spend more than a couple hours with.... You want to talk stressing Gus out... well sweetie, that's a HUGE source of stress....

If you could have kids would you refuse to allow them to play with other children because they may not like them?

Your arguement is stupid and your being selfish and irresponsible and it's sad that Gus must suffer for it.

quote:

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Originally posted by chelsey

Wow! y'all both need to read up on sugar gliders. Most males have that bald spot on their head. He doesn't self mutilate or anything like that. His grooming habits are normal. I had him checked by a vet and that bald spot is completely normal.

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Actually, MOST gliders do NOT have a bald spot after their neuter. Ask every single person on here that has had their gliders neutered. On one of my boys, it was gone in a matter a weeks, another within a month and the other right around a month. It has never come back. One thing I do not need to do is read up to find out about a bald spot.

As you can see, this is sort of a hot button issue.

Some of us (myself included) can come off as a little harsh sometimes, but that is only because of how important it is for sugar gliders to have another glider companion.

I do have to ask you,
where did you get your glider from?
The reason that I ask is because most GOOD breeders will not sell a glider to a home where it'll be kept as a single, and most rescues (so far as I know) like to send the gliders in pairs, or groups, so that they are not alone.

we all know that but that spot should go away after being neuter. tisha was wanting to know how long ago was that because it takes some time for it to go away. and if it was a long time ago it could be over grooming and not just the bald spot. and if you could have children wouldnt you want more then 1 so they could have an older brother or sister to play with while mom is busy? get him a friend so he can have someone to snuggle up with in the pouch. ask around maybe you can find someone who will work with you with the intro. if the glider doesnt get along with yours then they will switch it out with another glider to try. its so much fun to watch them play together. and can you communicate with your glider do you understand what he is saying? on some level we would like to think we understand our pets but they really need their own kind to talk to. 2 or more gliders arent any more work then just one is. if you have 1 glider you have to throw your social life away or any life outside the house to be with your glider like another glider would be. you have to be with him all night playing and sleep with him all day. if you dont its just not fair to your glider. he would be alone during those hours. dont you miss your boyfriend when he is gone? if you had another glider you wouldnt have to worry about him being alone because he has playmate with him.

Shadow, I don't think the "if you have children" argument is a very good one -- having an only child is much different than having a single glider....

Who the hell are y'all to judge my sugar glider's happiness? I think y'all claim to know more than y'all actually do. You aren't vets. My vet said he is completely healthy and happy. No signs of self mutilation or anything else.

I will never understand why someone asks a question and then gets mad at the response.

Chelsey -- if you don't want the answer, don't ask the question. Otherwise, please drop your attitude. You wanted our opinions, remember..that is why you made this post. And you must've had SOME idea of what the response would be, as you have clearly seen some of the more recent posts about keeping lone gliders.

quote:

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Originally posted by chelsey

Who the hell are y'all to judge my sugar glider's happiness? I think y'all claim to know more than y'all actually do. You aren't vets. My vet said he is completely healthy and happy. No signs of self mutilation or anything else.

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We are the ones you asked this particular question...

You are also not a vet, or obviously very well educated about these animals... THEY ARE COLONY ANIMALS don't like it? Tough, get a hampster or something....

Did you also ask your vet if you should get another glider?

DID YOU ASK FOR OUR OPINIONS OR NOT? Seriously?! Chill out and read the information provided to you. Ask your vet if the bald spot goes away after neutering. You seen the links and the stories of people firsthand. Does your vet have gliders? Does he agree they are colony animals? I'll even do one better for you...here's a list of vets that SPECIALIZE in sugar gliders and are more than willing to consult with other vets.

Dr.Tim Tristan
OSO Creek Animal Hospital
361-994-1145

Dr. Bradley Walsh
Village Vet Animal Clinic/All Creatures Veterinary Hospital
918-481-0440

Dr. Andrew Grzanowski
Canton Center Animal Hospital
734-459-1400

Dr. Kate Zimmerman
TriCounty Animal Hospital
(has 24hr emergency contact info on her office answering machine)
423-391-0303

Dr. Teresa Bradley
Belton Animal Clinic
816-331-3120
She is willing to consult with other vets, but will only do so during clinic hours which are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 am to 11 pm
Tuesday, Thursday: 7 am to 11 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 1 pm then 6pm to 11pm

Dr. Kristen West
Mandel Veterinary Hospital
216-321-6040

*Please note, do NOT call these vets yourself - they can not dispense medical advice to an owner over the phone, only to other veterinarians.

(From GC)

I'm sure you are right...ALL of us are wrong...you are right.

Well it doesn't help when people get rude and show blatant disregard for other people.

Question: Can I Get Sugar Gliders Neutered or Spayed?
Answer: Spaying female sugar gliders is a difficult and invasive procedure and is generally not recommended as an elective procedure (should be reserved for cases where medically necessary). However, neutering of males is a relatively simple and safe procedure and can be done as a birth control measure. Neutering will also reduce the marking behavior of males as well as making the scent glands less developed (therefore less musky odor), and in most cases will reduce territorial and aggressive behavior of males. However, nuetering should be done only by an experienced veterinarian using a safe anesthetic protocol.




Go here: www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=11545

And here: www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/880581/Bald_Spot

Maybe here: sugar-pets.blogspot.com/2007/11/male-sugar-glider-anatomy.html




From my gathering, a good portion of male gliders lose their bald spot when neutered, but not always.

quote:

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Originally posted by chelsey

Wow! y'all both need to read up on sugar gliders. Most males have that bald spot on their head. He doesn't self mutilate or anything like that. His grooming habits are normal. I had him checked by a vet and that bald spot is completely normal.

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WOW TO YOU!! Way to ask a question and jump on everyone because you don't like the response. BACK OFF!!

Here is a picture of my TWO YEAR OLD NEUTERED MALES. They do NOT have a bald spot after a neuter.




I was merely asking you a freaking question. Chill out!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by suppressedtearz

Well it doesn't help when people get rude and show blatant disregard for other people.

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True, however the way that I read this entire thread, rudeness did not begin until the whole, "ya'll need to do your research" bit. Sometimes rudeness, harshness, "blatant disregard" (as you put it) is with good reason.

Yes Winter, but there is a certain person who does it constantly on every single thread I've seen her post on. Not just when it's needed.

You've read some of my responses, you know I'm all for being rude and blunt when it's called for.

I have two male sugar glider brothers. When I got them they were 10 weeks OOP. I made the decision to have them neutered (laser neuter) as soon as they reached the designated weight. Since they were Joeys they never really developed a bald spot and probably never will AS A DIRECT RESULT of the neutering. I'm not sure how it works with gliders that have been neutered after a defined bald spot was already in place. But either way bald or not the bottom line is that they are better off having a cage mate.

Chelsey, I understand why you would think the way you do. My first glider was a lone glider because she simply would not get along with any other gliders (or so I was told by the guy who sold her to me) I too thought that she was leading a happy and healthy life until she passed away VERY SUDDENLY. The pain of losing her was alomost too much to bear and I found myself asking a lot of "WHAT IFS?" and "IF ONLYS".

It is a privelage to own a pet as well as a(ANY PET)and it is our responsibility as their care takers to make sure we can supply them with the best quality of life they deserve. I would think that is what you are striving to do and if so then you have the answer to your question.

PS: Have any of us claimed to be a vet? NO! But it doesn't take a vet to know that these are colony animals!!

But like Kyro said...you're right and all of us are wrong. So why bother even asking the question since you already know all the answers.