So, you've decided to buy a sugar glider....what now? Well, hopefully, you have already read the rest of this site (and many others) and have decided on the best diet plan, the best cage, the best pouch(es), toys, etc. If so, it is now time to pick out your first sugar glider. On this page, you will find a little guidance in how to go about picking out your first sugar glider.

1. Find a USDA licensed breeder or pet store
   • This should not be the hard part. When you find a breeder or a pet store that sells sugar gliders, ask if they are USDA licensed. If they say yes, ask to see a copy of their license and make sure it is current. Now, just because they are licensed, does not necessarily mean that they are a good breeder -- but we will get to that distinction in a moment. There is some debate as to what is so great about being USDA licensed (especially when a person finds out that *oops* their gliders are not both females and just want to sell one or two joeys) -- here is my take on this debate: if it is illegal to sell them without a USDA license, it is also illegal to purchase them from a non-USDA-licensed individual.
2. Determine if the breeder/pet store is good
   • Ok, to be fair, this is the tough part. For example, there is a breeder I know of who sells her gliders online. She will ship them. Now, to many people that last sentence would sound like a bad breeder, but the fact is, I know of several people who have bought gliders from this breeder who could not be happier with what they got. And I also know that this particular breeder loves her gliders dearly and insists on talking to the prospective owners to be sure they will be good glider people. So, what are some characteristics of a good breeder? Well, a good breeder:
     • Does not hand-pull joeys -- they allow the joeys to be weaned naturally, by the parents
     • Does not say that sugar gliders are "easy to take care of" or "low maintenance pets"
     • Does not sell joeys that are less than 8 weeks OOP
     • Does not recommend clipping the sugar glider's teeth -- sugar gliders are NOT rodents and their teeth do NOT need to be trimmed
     • Does not keep their gliders in a sock or worse, without any kind of hiding place during the day
     • Does answer any questions you may have concerning the glider's history, parents, diet, lifespan, etc
     • Does interview you to make sure you know everything you need to know to make a good glider parent
     • Does suggest a vet visit or provide verification of health from their vet (no less than 72 hours before the sale)
     • Does encourage follow-up. They will provide you with their phone number or email address so you can ask any questions as they come up once you get home
     • Does allow you to handle the gliders if at all possible (obviously, if you are having your glider shipped to you, you cannot handle it until it gets there!)
     Beyond the above, you should just feel good about the person before buying from them.
3. Handle as many of the sugar gliders as are available
   • This will get you acquainted with them and their personalities. Sugar gliders, just like any other animal (including us humans!) have a large variety of personalities. Some people believe that this is a gender thing, but I do not think it is. I have heard some people say that males tend to be more hyper, more territorial, more dominating, etc, and while I have a male that is like that to a T, I also have a female who is like that! By handling the gliders, you should get a feel for which glider best suits your personality -- who knows, your glider may just pick you! When we bought Immi, our second glider, she was not our first choice, she was just so crabby! But, she decided she wanted us, and climbed onto my husband's shoulder and would NOT come down! Another reason to handle the gliders is that you will very likely get bit -- no, I am not a sadist who thinks it is funny to see people get bit by those sharp little teeth -- which may help you decide for sure if a sugar glider is the right pet for you. One last (but definitely NOT least) reason to handle the gliders is to see how healthy they are. A healthy glider should:
     • Have fluffy, shiny, healthy looking fur
     • Have bright, clear eyes with no gunk in them
     • Have a clean, dry, pink nose
     • Have no problems with breathing, moving or voiding
     • NOT have feces caked around the cloacal opening or the tail (or really anywhere!)
     • NOT be limp and/or motionless
     • NOT be coughing, sneezing or wheezing
     • NOT have matted, dirty smelling or otherwise offensive fur

   If you follow these guidelines, you should do pretty well in picking out your first glider. Always remember to take your glider to a glider knowledgable vet as soon as possible, even if the breeder provides a health certificate. This will allow your vet to get to know your glider while it is healthy, and will allow you to begin a good relationship with the one person you hope you NEVER have to see on short notice! Good luck!