Hello, I am considering getting either one of these. Which do you recommend? What are the pros and cons of each. Any info. you can give me would be helpful. Thanks!Sugar gliders vs. Southern Flying Squirrels?
I have had both, while they are similar in some aspects they are also very different.
SG and SFS both have a very specific diet that must be followed to a tee. There cannot be any deviation in a SG diet. Both are quite expensive to feel properly. The SFS will need fresh nuts and seed(which are expensive), and the SF will need fresh fruits and veggies daily, as well as a protein source. There are about a dozen glider diets to look through and decided which one suits you best(but be sure not to mix and match, they must be followed exactly).
When I had my SFS it was hard to get adequate info on feeding and care. Their diet is going to be more nut based. They tend to be quieter than SG(since SG crab and bark). I did enjoy my SFS, but the fact that I could not find a lot of info made it hard to know I was caring for him properly.
SG are delicate and as I mentioned before have very specific dietary needs. Here is some info on glider care:
Sugar gliders are very high maintenance pets. They are expensive to purchase and even more money to keep. They range from $150 and up, depending on colors. The start up cost(cage, gliders, toys, etc) will be around $1000-$1500
Temperament:
Sugar gliders are extremely active and very social animals and do not like to live alone. If you would like to own a sugar glider, plan on having more than one. A lonely sugar glider who is deprived of social interaction, will not thrive. They will become depressed and lonely, which can cause them to die. They need interaction with their owners to be happy.
Remember that they are nocturnal and are up all night and sleep all day. My gliders used to wake up at about 11pm and were up until about 7am. During the day they didn't like being bothered, imagine someone wanting you to get up and play at 3 in the morning. I am an insomniac and was up all night anyway, so I didn't mind. When I did want to sleep it was difficult, they are very noisy at night, jumping around and barking and chirping. I used to get woken up several times.
Gliders should be purchased when they are young. Older gliders are hard to tame and may never enjoy being with you.
Bonding
Gliders must be able to be carried by you during the day in order to bond. I was lucky enough to have a job that didn't mind that I had them with me. You cannot sneak them around with you, as occasionally they will crab, or bark. They are loud barkers.
It you are not able to carry them for at least a few your a day in a bonding pouch then they may not take to you.
Even as a bonded pet, they are still not cuddly. A friendly glider is pretty much one that will not bite you and will jump from the cage to you. You're pretty much a bridge for them to get to where they really want :) They do not like being pet or held, I used to just have them jump from the cage to me and back.
Feeding
The feeding requirements of a sugar glider are somewhat controversial. It is only recently they have been kept as pets, and needs are somewhat of a mystery. As time goes on people will learn more about the needs of these little creatures. Sugar gliders are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant material and meat. In the wild they feed from nectar, fruit, insects and even small birds, eggs or rodents. This diet is pretty hard to replicate in captivity. People feed them a variety of foods trying to mimic their natural diet as best they can. Some people feed insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, moths and spiders. The insects should be fed high quality food such as commercial cricket food, and dusted with a complete vitamin/mineral supplement. Hence their name, the sugar glider loves the taste of sugar. They like fruit cocktail. The fruit should be fed in small amounts, chopped together so the gliders can not just pick out their favorites. There are many different diets that can be fed. These diets cannot be mixed and match and must be fed according to directions. Incorrect diet can cause serious health issues. Some diets you may want to research
BML, Taronga Zoo Diet, Chicago Zoological Park Alternative Diet , Darcy's Sugar Glider Diet , Elwin's Fresh Food Diet, Priscilla Price's Sugar Glider Diet, Suncoast Glider Diet Plan, etc(there are a few more to this list)
Cage:
A large cage, the bigger the better, should be provided with plenty of things to jump and leap off of (a minimum of 24 x 24 inches, by 36 inches high). For a sugar glider, height is more valuable than floor space. A wire cage, wire should be no more than 陆 inch wide, is best to allow the cage to breathe. A plastic tub can be placed under the cage to catch any debris that may fall out of the cage. Lots of toys should be provided as well as an exercise wheel, nest box and/or glider pouch. Branches, ropes and ladders will provide lots of opportunity for climbing and exercise. Large cage is a must, if you do not have the space or $$$ to buy an apropriate cage then do not get a glider.
Vet care
Since gliders are exotic their veterinary care will cost more. You will need to find a sugar glider knowledgeable vet before you purchase a glider.
Other info
Male sugar gliders have a unique smell that some people find unbearable. I used to have to clean mine daily(scrubbing cage, washing bedding, cleaning toys) to keep the smell down. The males have scent glands and they mark thier territory. Females do not have as bad a smell as males. The cage will need to be cleaned frequently, weather keeping males of females as urine has a strong odor. They usually urinate on the side of the cage, so you need to wash the entire cage, not just the bottom tray.
Also check for legality in your state. Gliders and SFS are illegal in some states and cities.
Please do as much research as possible on these guys. They are not easy to keep and both require very specific care in order to thrive and be healthy.
Two very good message boards:
http://www.nfsa.us/phpBB2/ - SFS
http://www.sugarglider.net/ - SGSugar gliders vs. Southern Flying Squirrels?
get a sugar glider because they are so bute and funny to watch. But you would have more to bragg about if you had an exotic pet like a southern flying squirrel!
You have good choice! Very exotic pets! Personally I would get the Sugar glider, I think this is mostly opinion though.
i personaly like sugar gliders, they r sooo cute and playful!
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