Eee they're so adorable! Where did you get that coconut shell? The one I bought is totally different and I don't quite like it.

Yeah la mine is the one with the hair -- I want to get the botak and smooth one hehe easier to clean. Have to go to Pet Safari la -- so many things to purchase. Thanks!

This post has been edited by misa: Sep 24 2006, 03:33 PM

1) You can try laying a piece of newspaper on the floor of the cage -- don't cover the whole floor la -- just half of it. The SG's might poop and pee there instead. I lay out a piece of A4 paper for my SG and he steps onto the edge of the paper and poos and pees down to his waste area. But with SGs, the one thing about them is that they can't be toilet trained. You might get lucky though (like with mine - he doesn't poo/pee in the coconut shell/pouch).

2) I wouldn't try feeding them anything that isn't listed as glider safe to be eaten. The thing about gliders is that they're pretty hardy animals, in that -- they don't get sick. But their dietary requirements is pretty hard to take care of and feeding them the wrong thing will give them a tummy upset which might cause serious problems for 'em. You should read up about gliders on the internet. Here's a good site:

http://www.critterhut.com/gliderknowledge.htm

3) With regards to the pocket issue, if it's big enough for them and if they're comfortable, they'll be able to stay inside of it -- it's up to them, really. I suggest you get a bonding pouch and carry them with you in the pouch -- it's available at Scales & Tails or Pet Safari. Or you can get a simple drawstring pouch from the 100Yen store or pasar malam -- just be sure that it's breathable and that there aren't any loose strings inside where they can get their nails stuck to or that they can chew on and choke. Also -- do watch out, they might escape so I would suggest that you get a proper bonding pouch at the pet store -- one that's meant for SGs but even then -- they are known to escape and open zippers, etc.

4) Making a glider mix is good because you would be able to supplement them with calcium and protein. If you're finding it hard to make your own glider mix as some of the ingredients are hard to find (ie: chicken baby good for the BML) you might want to contact crazymouse on the forum. She has a few different glider mix that you can purchase from her that you could try feeding to your SGs.

The calcium and vitamin supplements are called --> Rep-Cal HERPTIVITE vitamin supplement, Rep-Cal calcium supplement. You can get these from Pets Wonderland, or maybe Pet Safari, Scales & Tails or Natural Aquatic.

And don't forget the mealworms!

This post has been edited by misa: Sep 24 2006, 09:53 PM

I definitely prefer having just one glider for now -- I'm able to bring him with me to work and stuff. If I've got two, then I'd probably leave them both at home.

Out of the house, he's very well behave and he wakes up on time for his "midnight snack" during my lunchtime everyday He eats his mealworms and a few pieces of fruits. Every other morning before heading out of the house, he'll have a bit of yoghurt la. When he hears that I'm awake, he'll wait at the cage bars -- then when I go over to him, he'll climb into his pouch, poke his head out and expect to be brought out in his pouch His schedule is already pretty predictable and that's a good thing cause when and if they start doing something out of the norm, then I'd know that something might be wrong with him cause they don't ever exhibit signs of sickness until it's too late but through a change in their daily routine, we at least get a bit of a warning.

Aiya with regards to Salmonella -- a lot of other animals also can give you this disease la -- lizards, iguanas, tortoises, hedgehogs, etc etc. Just be careful and wash your hands after coming in contact with their pee or poop. And make sure to give their cage a thorough cleaning at least once a month! I usually sun the tree branch in his cage once every two weeks and I'm planning to get a new branch every three months. Also, I wash his pouch once a week and clean his food bowl, water dish and water bottle twice a day. I change his newspaper bedding once a day and wipe the cage bars down every other day with baby wipes.

Here's an article that you might be interested in reading, from SunCoast Sugar Gliders -->

Zoonoses refers to those diseases acquired from veterbrate animals (i.e. animals with backbones) by humans. I will be introducing you to two bacterial diseases of public health concern which have been know to be carried by sugar gliders.

Now before we go into this, let me allay some of your fears and tell you upfront that these situations can be controlled by good hygiene practices. Also, you need to be aware that sugar glider incidents connected to such issues are not highly recurring events. These are simply possibilities and similar possibilities exist from keeping any type of captive animal.

Sugar gliders can be a reservoir for certain diseases, meaning that they may or may not show any outward signs of illness. The sugar glider may simply carry the bacteria, but not be personally affected by the presence of the bacteria.

Salmonella is a bacteria that has probably received a fair amount of publicity. For instance, the sale of turtles was disallowed in manycommunities due to a high exposure to the salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is a bacteria harbored by nearly all species of warm and cold blooded animals. The bacteria escapes from the animal in feces, is transferred by contact exposure, and may live and multiply outside of the host. The bacteria typically enters humans by mouth. This occurs after handling contaminated material and then by eating without washing your hands. Symptoms may occur 6-72 hours after exposure. Humans get gastroenteritis (irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract) and some additional unpleasant symptoms, such as diarrhea.

Small amounts of the bacteria may be carried for up to three months even after you recover from the infection. If the bacteria spreads from your digestive tract into your bloodstream, they may settle in other organs, such as the liver, kidney, gallbladder, heart, or in joints and cause inflammation or abscess. This is very rare and most infections are very mild. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and whether it traveled outside of the gastrointestinal tract. Your physician will be able to advise and prescribe appropriate antibiotics, if needed.

Leptospirosis is a bacteria which may be found in dogs, cattle, swine,rodents, birds and marsupials, such as sugar gliders. This bacteria escapes through the urine and is spread through direct contact with infected animals or contact with contaminated material such as cage bedding. Carrier animals may shed the disease for long periods of time. For example, dogs may shed the disease for four years.

Following infection, human incubation can be from 2 to 30 days. Human signs and symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle spasms), nausea, vomiting, nuchal rigidity, encephalitis, retroorbital pain, jaundice, hemorrhage and occasional death. Fatality is low in healthy people, but may be increased if suffering from chronic kidney disease. Your physician can successfully treat leptospirosis with a variety of antibiotics, but good hygiene is the best prevention.

Both salmonella and leptospirosis are prevented by good cage cleaning practices. These are only two possible bacterial infections humans can become infected from keeping pets of many varieties.

The best medicine concerning zoonotic diseases is prevention. Prevention starts with good hygiene practices. In addition to washing your hands after handling any animals, you will also need to keep the cage and all accessories clean. This includes frequent changes of the bedding, periodic cleanings of the whole cage, daily food dish and water bottle cleansing and cleaning all other toys and accessories that your animals come into contact with.

Nest boxes, sleeping pouches, wodent wheels, and other toys should be cleaned and disinfected periodically. I suspect this comment will lead to the question of how often is periodically, but its really dependent on the size of the cage, the number of critters housed in the cage and other factors. Bedding should be cleaned at least twice a week if not more. Food and water containers should be cleaned daily. Other items should be cleaned at least monthly.

You can use a mixture of 4 ounces bleach per gallon of hot water. A bleach and water mixture is able to kill a wide spectrum of microbes if allowed to stand for five minutes or more and then rinsed thoroughly with fresh, hot water.

No la -- don't just feed them mealworms. It's a good thing for them to eat it but too much of a good thing can turn out to be a bad thing, yanno. It's kinda fattening. So feed it to them sparingly. Like I feed my glider just 5 mealworms a day. He gets it in the afternoon with a few tiny chunks of fruits (usually apple). At night is when I suggest you give them their full meal -- meaning the glidermix (if you have any), a few pieces of fruits, frozen veggies (corn, peas, carrots -- I give two of each -- and I steam it in the microwave first). They don't eat much la. Just one tablespoon of everything is enough. Like my glider doesn't eat his veggies so I'm going to puree it for him. Choose a schedule that fits you and your gliders la -- then stick to it. They are creatures of habit so they'll appreciate you giving their meals at the same time everyday. And the reason I feed the mealworms in the morning/afternoon is because they won't lose their apetite for the full meal at night (which I usually give at about 10pm).

If they aren't used to you yet, don't force them into the pouch. Leave the pouch in the cage -- they'll usually go to sleep in it and when they do, just slowly, quietly and carefully take the pouch out and carry it with you. It takes time to bond with your gliders -- for some it takes just a few hours or a day, for others it might take weeks or months or years. It depends on the gliders themselves and on how you treat them. They need to learn to trust you and you need to be patient with them.

All the best!

Yeah, crazymouse is right -- you can get a drawstring pouch anywhere -- I bought a few at the 100Yen store. Just make sure that's it's breathable for the SG. If you want an SG pouch, you can also try Scales and Tails in Aman Suria, PJ.

If it's close to your house, it's best you go there to check it out yourself. Different stores will carry different pouches, as they don't bring in a lot of stock -- that's what I noticed. I can take a pic of it but it'll take me days to upload it to my pc ><; by the time I do -- you might as well have gone to the store to check it out. Gomen!

This post has been edited by misa: Sep 27 2006, 11:40 PM

I'll try to.

And if you were wondering about the size of the pouch that's suitable for a glider -- well, you can get one that's about 12cm in height and 8cm in width -- that should be fine already la. And the one at the 100 Yen store is a drawstring pouch. Put a cloth inside of it for your glider to sleep on and also in case if it pees la. At least you'll just have to clean the cloth and not the whole pouch.

A picture of a drawstring pouch -- this isn't mine but this is exactly what mine looks like.

http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/drawstring%20pouch.JPG

100Yen shop -- Midvalley Megamall -- Pusat Bandar Puchong (next to Tesco -- row of shops -- you can see it when you're passing by on the main road). I bought a few nice drawstring pouches from IOI Mall just two days ago. The price range for drawstring pouches is RM4-RM6.

You can also check at any gift shops -- those stores that sell bears and mugs and birthday gifts. They always have drawstring pouches there.

Which petshop did you go to?

Yeah mine likes to lick that area too -- till it looks hairless. ...and his worm like thingy was out the other day. He's turning all mature! lol

Nugget

Good to know one of the SGs have found its way home. Let's hope the others will come back ;0;

Sugre

Maybe just take your glider out in his pouch first and then just put your hand in the pouch for a while. Then if the glider climbs out on his own -- chances are, he might not pee on you? Just a thought.

+++

What do you do when your glider falls asleep on your shoulder?

This post has been edited by misa: Oct 3 2006, 02:59 PM

Oh no -- I'm going to Australia for a week in November (on the 19th - 25th). I need a sitter for my glider. ;0; Definitely someone who has the time to spare and the knowledge and the experience. Cage, food bowl, water bottle, water dish, pouch, food will be provided plus cash (let me know the price). I read in the previous thread for SGs that Connie once took care of a glider. Connie, will you help care for mine? ;0; Or anyone else who has the wealth of experience? Pm me!

[update: have a sitter! thanks connie! ]

This post has been edited by misa: Oct 4 2006, 02:29 AM

I wish!!!

With regards to leaving windows open, etc -- it's better to be safe than sorry. I would make sure that there isn't a way for the glider to escape if I'm going to let him roam around freely. Even if he doesn't jump out of say a window or off a balcony once, twice, or ten thousand times -- doesn't mean he won't do it ever. That's just my thought though.

In other words -- me and BabyBoy have totally bonded. He hangs on my shoulder and everything these days. He's also very tame and he's easily handled by strangers. But then again, when he sees me moving off -- he'll jump right back to me.

Thanks! I'm super happy about it but I'm leaving for a week to Australia next month. I'm so worried that when I get back, he won't recognize me anymore. I don't mind starting the bonding process all over again but what if he's a changed glider? It'll be so sad


Whoa -- if it still looks weird -- best to bring him for a checkup at the vet. If they're in pain, they might self mutilate. Or if they can't feel their toe, they might bite it and well, that's self mutilation. You never know... But hope he'll be better soon!


Well, what I did with my glider was I put him on a routine schedule. So I will know when he sleeps, when he wakes up, when he eats. The first day, I left him alone. The second day, when he was sleeping in the pouch, I close the pouch and took him out. When I touched the pouch, he crabbed a little. And whenever I open the pouch to look at him, he would do the same. I just kept him close to me in his pouch and went about on my daily routine. At night, I'd put him back in his cage -- offer him yoghurt with my fingers. On the 3rd day, he stopped crabbing at me but he would still bite me when I put my hand in his pouch. Just keep carrying your glider in the pouch and keep offering him treats or fruits and just be patient and wait for him to trust you. Hopefully it works! If you keep one male to three females in a cage -- it might be harder for you to tame him as he might be more bonded to the rest of the suggies. But you can still take him out in his pouch. Since the rest are easier to bond with, it's best you take some time and bond with him individually la for a few hours a day.

This post has been edited by misa: Oct 7 2006, 06:55 AM

Finally some photos of of my glider, BabyBoy. He responds to this name best. Thanks to my little brothers calling him that all the time.



"Yo, wat's up?"



"I can quack like a duck."



Zzzing in his second favourite pouch from the 100Yen store. Purchased at RM4.50 or well, around there la.



Zzzing in his number one favourite pouch. Ichiban yo! Bought from IOI Mall for RM5.50.



He'll sleep for hours in it. It's got super soft lining inside. Very comfy! ...I sound like an advert for pouches.



"I'm fine in a stranger's pocket so long as I have my favourite blankie with me and you in sight!"



"No, no! Don't go away..."



Taken last night.



"Promise I'll get my glider mix after I finish this apple?"

+++

And there you have it! Would love to see more photos of the gliders you guys own!

Aww, he's proud that you think so.


Would love for him to meet Kiah! Kiah's his super food tester summore. I was actually at Ikano today. In the afternoon And BabyBoy was with me -- but I didn't know you guys were having a meetup!

Hopefully one day there will be a gathering again

I cut my glider's nails when he's asleep in his pouch. On days when he's a bit grumpy (he'll close his hands into fists), it'll take some time for me to get it all cut. But patience is a virtue.

This post has been edited by misa: Oct 7 2006, 10:54 PM

With Kiah on you? That must have been quite a sight for people to see. I was at Borders for an hour or two. Hehe then I went to Ikea. Bought some new tubs/homes for the pregnant rescue hams.

I'm getting someone from the states to send me some Gerber chicken baby food. Now have to find out the cost of delivery and how long is it going to take for me to get them through Malaysian post. The last time someone sent me a parcel from Singapore through economy post, the post office kept it for three months before sending it out to me. ...no explanation given summore.

Btw, have you seen this? About Suggies and Eucalyptus leaves hehe

http://www.eucproducts.com/index.html

This post has been edited by misa: Oct 7 2006, 11:22 PM