Sugar gliders need lots of supervision

Dear Heloise: My daughter wants to get a sugar glider, and I have no idea what one is and what it requires in terms of upkeep. Could you help me with some information so that I can make an educated decision about purchasing one? —Julie, via e-mail

We did some research on sugar gliders and found some information that will help you and others decide if one is right for your household.

Sugar gliders are marsupials and are similar in size to a flying squirrel. Gliders are affectionate animals and love human attention, but they do need to be supervised when out of their cages. It is recommended that the gliders remain caged unless supervised, as they chew things. Letting them "freely roam" in your home is not a good idea.

They need a large cage. It's best to do a little research to find the size needed. Bigger is usually better, but this depends on the space available for the cage, etc. They are intelligent and very social, and require interaction. Two sugar gliders would be preferable to only one.

They don't smell bad if their diet is correct, don't have fleas and don't need shots. They do require a specialized diet that consists mostly of fruits and veggies, although they do need some protein, but no fat. It would be best to find a book with dietary needs or get the information from a breeder.

Be advised that they are nocturnal, and this means they play at night! Sugar gliders cannot be exposed to sunlight. If placed in the sun, they can be permanently blinded.

They are considered an "exotic" in the United States, and a federal license is required to sell them. Before purchasing a glider, check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Care regional office for your state, or call your veterinarian, as some states have outlawed them as pets. —Heloise

Dear Readers: Lori Ann Plante of Augusta, Maine, sent us a photo of her dachshund, Rudy, on a scale. It looks like he's asking, "How much do I weigh now?"

Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: When we bought our aquarium, we bought several fish, too. We had no idea that these fish would get so big so fast! Now they are too big for the aquarium. I called around and couldn't find a place that would trade or even take the fish, but I finally found a friend who agreed to take them, since he has a large aquarium that can accommodate the fish.

I would suggest that before getting fish for an aquarium, you do a little research so that you don't have to deal with finding a home for fish that outgrow it. —Ruth in Texas

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