By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rich_Allyn]Rich Allyn
If you are considering a sugar glider as a pet, here are some basic facts about sugar gliders.
Above all and before you buy your glider do your research. These little live up to 15 years which is a very long commitment on your part. Once these creatures bond to you and your family they probably will not bond to others.
In captivity gliders live 10 to 15 years compared to living in the wild where they only live 5 to 7 years.
They get their name because they have a membrane that stretches from their front feet to their rear feet. When they jump from branch to branch in the wild they spread their feet and this membrane acts as a kite would. By doing this they glide rather than just jump. They also love sweet things...there go the name... Sugar Glider!
These little guys can glide up to 150 feet in the wild. They use their tails like a rudder to guide them to their landing point.
They are about 6 inches long with an added 6 inches for their tail and they weigh from 4 to 5 1/2 oz.
Sugar gliders are native to Australia and New Guinea and can also be found in Indonesia. Indonesia is where most of these creatures are caught and then sold in the US as pets.
Gliders are nocturnal (meaning night creatures) marsupials (meaning the female has a pouch for birthing.) Gestation is about 16 days when the joey (baby marsupial) then crawls through mom's fur to her pouch and remains there for approximately 10 weeks.
They become sexually mature between 8 and 14 months of age.
Gliders will mate up to 3 times per year and usually have 1 or 2 babies.
Gliders have opposable thumbs on their rear feet which make it easier for them to grab things such as tree branches or other objects.
When in the wild gliders eat the sap from the Eucalyptus Tree and insects. You will be feeding your glider various foods. 50% of their daily diet should consist of protein foods such as meal worms, chicken and turkey baby food, crickets, and boiled eggs. The other 50% of their diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, and dry food. A combination of food in this manner will allow for plenty of variety for your glider. Any fresh foods your glider doesn't eat should be removed from his cage daily to prevent spoilage. Be sure to keep dry foods in their food bowls at all times this gives them something to snack on.
As a side note, your glider will need a calcium supplement. NEVER! Never give your little pet coffee, corn, chocolate, raw sugar or anything that contains garlic or onions. Only give them filtered or bottled water that is free of chlorine.
Things to look for when purchasing your sugar glider/s, it should be active (take into consideration they are nocturnal) and his/her big black eyes should be clear and never foggy or cloudy.
I hope this little bit of information has helped you in your research for sugar glider information. Don't stop here, there are many places to find out about sugar gliders so please before you purchase your new family member learn all you can about them. They are cute, very friendly and entertaining little pets that will give you love and become a real member of your family.
Rich Allyn
I am Rich Allyn, I am a writer who specializes in researching subject matter for public knowledge on many subjects. For more information on the above subject go to [http://www.sugarglidersforsale.org]Sugar Gliders For Sale where I provide unbiased advice and information on this subject including: [http://www.sugarglidersforsale.org/sugar_glider_care_information.html]Sugar Glider Care Information and more.
Rich Allyn
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sugar-Glider-As-A-Pet&id=6548785] Sugar Glider As A Pet
No comments:
Post a Comment