My Sugar Glider Experiance #1

So yesterday I bought 2 sugar gliders from a pet store. I know, I know, you're supposed to buy them from a breeder. But they were there and so cute, and I was damn tired of unresponsive breeders and broken or un-updated websites. Now I have had other small animals so I have some experience with them. Sugar Gliders are definitely not hamsters or mice, but some things transfer.

Last night I put their little starter cage next to me and talked to them anytime they came out or poked their little heads out of their bonding pouch. I decided to use their bonding pouch as their sleeping place as well so that I wouldn't have to try to transfer them to a different pouch when I would have them out of the cage and hanging around my neck.

I was concerned at first about being able to tell them apart, but I have been noticing the difference in their little faces and personalities. I was wondering what I would name them, and have decided on Tibby (Short for Tibult) and Peek (short for Peek-A-Boo). Tibby is a name I had decided on before I had actually gotten them, and Peek gets her name for her habit of peeking out the top of the bonding pouch.

Today I got them a bigger cage from the pet store I bought them from and will keep the smaller cage as one for travel like when I go to my dad's house in the UP.  I am feeding them a modified Leadbeaters diet. I made a batch yesterday. I got meal worms for free from the pet store for them and  yesterday I gave them some apple. I also bought some pellet food and gave them a bowl of that. They ate most of the Leadbeaters, a little fruit and I did see them eating a few pellets. So good new is they are eating. Watching them run around in their little cage last night was adorable, though I felt bad that the cage was so small. I feel much better having gotten them this bigger cage.

It's hard not to reach in and pick them up, but all the reading I have done tells me not to do this. I have been putting my hand on the cage and getting them used to my scent and voice. They both will come and investigate my fingers making me think they are looking for lickey treats. I think tonight I will try giving them something on my finger, here's to hoping I don't get bit.

OK, I think I will leave it at that for now.