Sugar Gliders: The Essential Guide to Ownership & Care for Your Pet, Paperback

In some ways, sugar gliders are the epitome of an exotic pet. Hailing from the rainforests of Australia, they can glide like a flying squirrel and have a pouch like a kangaroo. They're also very affectionate and form close bonds with their keepers, defying the expectation most people have of keeping exotic pets. Once you get to know them, you'll find this isn't the only surprising thing about them. With the intelligence of a cat, the loyalty of a dog, and a diet closer to a lizard's than a hamster's, sugar gliders are one of the most unique and rewarding animal companions you can bring into your home. But how can you be sure you can handle a sugar glider's care? And even if you can, is it the right pet for you? This book takes an in-depth look at a sugar glider's diet, ideal environment, and daily care. You'll learn where to shop for sugar glider and how to tell if they're healthy, as well as how to best replicate their wild environment in the comfort of your own home. Though they're not succeptible to many medical issues, you'll also learn the signs to look out for in case of illness or injury, and how to best prevent and treat these problems to keep your sugar glider happy and healthy. The recent popularity of sugar gliders in the pet trade has prompted an upswing in breeding across North America, and pet owners now have more knowledge about the proper care of this fascinating animal than ever before. Using the cage and diet recommendations in this book, you can have a loving relationship with your sugar gliders for ten years or more. Just like a cat or dog, a well cared for sugar glider will pay you back tenfold in cuddly entertainment-and from a pet small enough to ride around in your pocket.