Sugar gliders are nocturnal marsupials native to Australia (check out the International Sugar Glider Association, Inc.'s Web site). They are quickly becoming popular pets and there are many reputable breeders. Make sure that whatever your source, you choose animals that have been captive-bred rather than wild-caught (wild-caught animals of any kind may have been illegally acquired, and removing animals from their natural habitat should always be discouraged). Although they are hardy and don't suffer from many health problems, sugar gliders require a specific, varied diet, a large cage, and personal attention. If you only get a single glider, you will be committed to spending an hour or two a day with it—gliders are social creatures and will suffer (and sometimes die) from loneliness if they are not given adequate attention. Make certain, too, that you check the animal laws in your state before getting a glider.

I first learned about sugar gliders in an on-line chat. Someone asked if anyone had sugar gliders, and none of us knew what he was talking about. But I'm a curious person and love animals of all kinds, so I started looking for information. First, I looked in books. I found a picture, but it was a sketch and didn't really do them justice. Then I started searching on the Internet. That's where I found lots of information and started really getting interested in the furry little marsupials.

I found a book in a local pet store called (big surprise here) Sugar Gliders, by Caroline MacPherson. I highly recommend it to anyone considering these charming pets. I know you can get it through Amazon.com. There is also a book by Todd Bacon that is supposed to be good. One thing I learned during my research was that sugar gliders need attention. If you can't give them two hours a day you'd better have at least two so they can keep each other company. They need a large cage, about 48 inches tall, and a wheel to run on. If you have any animals that use exercise wheels, please visit the Wodent Wheel site. Wodent Wheels are the safest wheels made for rodents, sugar gliders, or whatever you have that needs an exercise wheel. And if you are interested in purchasing sugar gliders, I found mine at Glider Gulch. I can vouch for Beverly's gliders. Mine arrived healthy and well adjusted. She really cares about her gliders.

Pixie and Dixie are adorable, intelligent pets. They love to play "tug-a-chain," during which they try to pull a large plastic chain hanging from the top of their cage into their wooden nest box. I'll keep gently pulling it out again until I feel a little tug, then let them pull it back. They could keep the game up for hours, but I usually let them "win" after a few minutes. They spend the nights running in their wheel, climbing the plastic chain, and leaping all over their cage. They have some cat and bird toys in their cage that they play with and a wooden tunnel that they can chew or climb on or under as they wish. I feed them a variety of fruits and vegetables every night. They have Brisky's dry sugar-glider food available all the time and a special mixture called Leadbeaters that they get every few days. I also give them a peanut every day, which they love. They are sweet, cuter than any animal has a right to be, and fun. They are as soft as silk (their coats are similar to the coats of chinchillas, although shorter). Sugar gliders can live twelve years, which is great. It would be too sad to have them for a few years, like a hamster, and then to lose them. I look forward to loving Pixie and Dixie for many years to come.