Pet keeping is not everyone’s preference when comes to hobbies. Over the years and probably till now, people prefer to have dog, cat, fish, rabbits, and lately in last few years the hamster or gerbil are becoming more likable especially for those who live in high rise buildings e.g. condominium or apartments simply because some of them often ban animals because of the smells and noise the animals create.

A Cat & a Dog! The preferred pets!

Gerbil

Recently, I was introduced to another new pet in town—the Sugar Glider!! Wait! please do not think that this pet is made of sugar. You must be wondered how this pet look like if you do not know what is a Sugar Glider! Here are they:

Sugar gliders are marsupials, with the moms carrying joeys in the pouch (similar to koalas and kangaroos).  They originate from Southern Australia and New Guinea.  They’re about 6 ½ – 7 ½ inches long, with a bushy tail almost the same length.  They look a lot like a flying squirrel, but are very different.  They are usually grey with a black stripe down the back, a black tip on the tail, black ears, and a cream-colored underbelly.  There can be many color variations as well.  The fur is very soft to touch.

They are called sugar “gliders” because of a unique membrane called the patagia.  This piece of skin extends from the front hand all the way to the back foot on both sides of the body.

The glider membrane on both sides!

Sugar Glider Diet

The glider diet in the wild consists mostly of insects, sap from eucalyptus, acacia, and gum trees, pollen, nectar, small vertebrates, and arthropods.  The “sugar” part of the name “sugar glider” refers to its preference for sweet food.You can just feed them cereal with honey,they like it so much!

Sugar Glider as a Pet!

Outside Australia, the Sugar Glider is a popular domestic pet because of its lively and inquisitive nature; with plenty of attention (a minimum of 1-2 hours of daily human interaction), it bonds well to human companions. Where legal, the Sugar Glider is not difficult to breed in captivity under the right conditions. It doesn’t require much attention, rarely fell sick and need not be bathed often. Its’ urine and faeces also don’t stink,this is much to the delight of those who are kept away of the bad odour experienced from other pets.

Few years back, you’d not be able to see this in our country,let alone keeping it as your lovely pet! Now, we can get this in major cities in this country. A fishshop in Melaka is selling it now:

They are sold in a pair @ Rm500. If you wish to buy one, it is still possible with the price tag of Rm250. Those sold in KL is ~ RM350 for one. However, it is advisable to pair it according to the seller as this little baby can live quite long  to ~15 years.

So, what do you think about this little new wonder? I will get mine soon……

By the way, certain people profess they like pet very much but loathe labouring to keep their pets clean and tidy. My advice for this kinda of people is to go for e-Pet then. Guess you guys know about this : The Tamagotchi

A Pet which doesn't smell!