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habitat, interaction, biting, & price

22 15:54:57

Question
Hello Laurie! I've been researching about sugar gliders because I've been considering getting one. I read a pet manual and some online sites but there are a few questions that have come to mind before I build the cage and get one.

1) Do you know of any sites that are easy to understand on making your own cage. I know you should have a pullout tray and I want to build one about 5 1/2 feet high with wooden sides and back and a mesh front.

2) Can grown sugar gliders play with my guinea pigs (baby and adult guinea pigs)?

3) Does it hurt if Guinea pigs bite you? I learned that sometimes they can just smell food on you but if it was out of anger etc that would be scary, because my guinea pigs never bite and I'm terrified of animal bites, well especially the painful ones. I had a mean hamster growing up. lol

4) I want to put my guinea pig in the living room so it feels a part of the family, the only problem is that the 60 inch tv and entertainment center is there, and my apartment isn't the largest. But anyway I'm not sure if when I get a sugar glider it will like the noise very much and will in turn become feisty.

and lastly lol, 5) I found a local breeder that seems nice enough and she sells a joey for $175 or two for $250. Is this a good price?

Thanks so much for answering all of these questions! =]

Answer
Dear Vanessa:

I am so happy you are researching prior to purchasing your sugar gliders.  

There are many sites that have instructions on building your own cage.  Here is a link to one of them:  

http://www.lavarious.com/cage/

I strongly suggest that you do not build your cage with wooden sides for several reasons.  1) Sugar gliders mark with urine and scent. The wood will absorb these odors and it will eventually be a very smelly cage.  2) Sugar gliders chew, so even if you seal the wood, they will chew and it will likely be unsightly in short time (not to mention the possible harm to the glider from the chemicals).  3) Wood is heavy.  A cage with the dimensions you posted would be extremely heavy.  Sugar glider cages should be big enough to give them plenty of room, but a manageable size so it can be easily cleaned to help with odor and hygene.  

It is best to build a cage using vinyl coated or powder coated wire.  Make sure the spacing between the bars is no more than 1/2".

I'm sorry.  I don't know much about guinnea pigs.  I used to have one and it bit some.  As far as your glider(s), I would keep them separated.  

Sugar gliders are best kept in pairs.  You will want to pick a spot in your home where they will have undisurbed rest during the day.  It should be a place away from vents and windows.  Since they are nocturnal, they are usually up and playing and running on their wheels at night, so a light sleeper may not want them in the bedroom.  

That is a reasonable price for sugar gliders.  Just research further before you buy so you know how to tell a good breeder from a less than reputable breeder.  Here is a site you can research in the meantime:

http://worldwidesugarglidernetwork.com/board/index.php

I hope this answers your questions.  Best of luck with your sugar glider(s) and your guinnea pig.  

Laurie