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Sugar Gliders
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Food, Diet
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May 11 2013
10:50:06 PM
When I get my Sugar gliders ( I want to buy two from cragslist but Im waiting until Im more prepared/knowledgeable,I have no idea what diet they might be on at first) I want to put them on the HPW complete diet.
How do I adjust them to this food?
Also do I put a side of meal worms with their meal? Do I keep out a bowl of pellets?
Thank you!
Food, Diet
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May 11 2013
11:09:55 PM
Minnesota Zoo Fuzzy Wuzzy Visit Minnesota Zoo's Photo Album USA 1999 Posts
It really depends on how old they are. If they are joeys then you will want to wean them off of the diet they were weaned onto (what their parents were fed)and onto the diet you will be feeding so they don't get an upset tummy.

Hopefully they will be being fed a good staple/nectar replacement diet like OHPW, BML or a Gliderkids recipe.

If they are a year or older you can feed them what you want...just keep in mind they may or may not like it and it can take a few days before they will eat it.

For the mealies...they may or may not like them either. Mine LOVE them(live ones) but now I feed them the mealies every third day as a "bed time" snack before they go to sleep for the day(before I go to work) otherwise they won't eat their staple mixture if I give them with their dinner or put them in foraging places.

Welcome to GG. and good luck with your new buddies
Food, Diet
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May 11 2013
11:14:34 PM
Tipsy Starting Member 5 Posts
What is considered a Joey? Above the 12 week mark?
How should I wean them?

Thank you!
Food, Diet
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May 11 2013
11:35:41 PM
Minnesota Zoo Fuzzy Wuzzy Visit Minnesota Zoo's Photo Album USA 1999 Posts
"HPW" is a pretty popular diet...they may already be on a diet you like. There are a few versions though so you would want to make sure if it's the "same" one,there is Original,Complete or Instant or Gliderkids recipes that use Wombaroo High Protein Supplement also.

They also require certain fruits and veggies to make sure the Calcium and Phosphorus ratios are balancing the diet.

They are considered a "Joey" from the time they come "out of the pouch"("OOP") until they are over 6 months old(they will reach sexual maturity before they are 1 year old).

They really shouldn't be taken away from their parents before 8 weeks. Up to 12 weeks with parents is good for them to learn from Mom and Dad.

You could wean them by gradually cutting back their old diet and increasing the ratio of the new diet, like 1/4 new + 3/4 old for two-tree days, then 1/2 and 1/2 for 2-3 days then 3/4 new to 1/4 old then off of old and onto the new one only over about two weeks.

If you get a male/female pairing(like I did,twin bother and sister) you will have to have brother neutered before he is 4 months old.

The pellets are not necessary at all, a lot of people keep them in the cage as a daytime snack but most gliders(like mine) never get up during the day to eat. I do have pellets but they only get them occasionally as foraging snacks because they really love them and will fill up on them and wouldn't eat the staple mixture.

Edited by - Minnesota Zoo on May 11 2013 11:38:18 PM
Food, Diet
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May 12 2013
12:07:38 AM
Tipsy Starting Member 5 Posts
Okay thank you!
Adjusting Foods

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Sugar Gliders
Adjusting Foods