Thinking of Buying a Sugar Glider?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Mathews]Gavin Mathews
Some people think that because of the small size of sugar gliders (SG), these creatures would be easier to take care of than cats or dogs. I'm here to remind you that although gliders are small even after entering adulthood, these creatures still need special care and attention.
Sugar gliders are extremely social creatures and once a sugar bear has marked you as the primary caregiver, it will want to interact with you frequently, on a daily basis. Like a small child, the honey bear will be dependent on you for its every need, including its need to bond with the one person who is responsible for feeding it and providing for its basic needs.
If you naturally adore animals, regardless of the type of animal that is in your care, then a sugar glider is a good choice. There is a reason why sugar gliders or "sugar bears" are called pocket pets.
You can literally place them in your shirt pocket and they will stay there, keeping you company throughout the day. If a SG is left in its cage for a long time without interaction with its primary caregiver, it will exhibit symptoms of depression.
Now, before you buy a sugar glider, consider the following facts:
1. A sugar glider is capable of biting if it feels that it is in danger or is being threatened either by another human or by another animal. In a nutshell, a SG is quite similar to other pets in this respect. If you treat your glider bear with care and respect, it will have no reason to bite or scratch.
But if someone in your family steps on its tail or accidentally hurts it, there is a chance that it may bite back. Bites are very rare if your suggie is trained properly.
One of the best things about a sugar glider is that its teeth are not designed to tear off skin or flesh. Instead, a sugar glider's teeth are designed to act as miniature clamps. When a suggie bites, you will feel more of a pinching force than a real bite.
2. Unlike dogs and cats, a glider-bear cannot be completely trained to go to just one spot to urinate or defecate. On the flipside, sugar gliders practice routines when it comes to these things, so a little observation and improvisation will help you guide the little critter to do its 'business' in a designated area in its cage.
3. Sugar bear should be given a mix of fresh food and commercial sugar glider pellets. You can also give your new pet a multivitamin powder. Just sprinkle the vitamin powder on top of its food and you are all set for the day.
4. SG's can develop a strong and discernible scent - but only if the animal is fed mostly live or fresh protein-rich foods.
5. Neutering is recommended if you do not wish to breed your sugar bears. A neutered SG is less aggressive and will also mark its territory less frequently. Neutered specimens also have a milder scent. A neutered glider-bear that has been given a properly balanced mix of fresh and commercial food will not develop a strong smell.
6. Being social creatures, it would be best to treat a suggie like you would to a dog. These animals are excellent companions and are loyal to their human owners.
My name is Gavin Mathews, I am a pet lover and exotic pet enthuses me to go the extra mile. As a sugar glider enthusiast I would like to share some of the knowledge I have gained in the due course.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Thinking-of-Buying-a-Sugar-Glider?&id=6571220] Thinking of Buying a Sugar Glider?