"Flying squirrels" the latest popular pets

8:24am Friday 12th September 2008

Comments (17)   Have your say »

• Play Video

IT is a house where the fur flies every day of the week.

The bizarre squirrel-like creature can be seen gliding through the home of Southampton breeder Sian Bailey who has seen demand for the animals, called Sugar Gliders, rocket.

Soaring up to 12ft across the sky the gliders are fast becoming an unlikely popular pet.

The furry, nocturnal animals have flabby skin that forms a perfect square when their legs and arms are outstretched, helping them glide.

Watch the Sugar Gliders in action and an interview with breeder Sian bailey - click Play

Miss Bailey, trainee veterinary nurse and breeder with Southern Sugar Gliders, said interest in the animals had soared.

“Sugar gliders are becoming more common as pets and people are travelling all over the country to get them.

“They have a membrane which stretches out to help them glide in the air which is quite fascinating to watch.

“In the wild they can glide up to 200ft to escape predators and find food but domesticated ones run up curtain poles and glide across a room for exercise.”

Because the marsupials are so rare and so unusual people are paying up to £150 to own one.

But Miss Bailey warned potential owners should be aware of the extra care the animals need.

“They are very cute, however they do require a lot of care and attention – far more than a cat or dog.”

She added: “My only concern with them becoming more popular is that some people will buy them because they are unusual and then get bored.

“I have already seen one that has ended up in a rescue centre which is very worrying.

“Before anyone buys any of my gliders I bombard them with questions to ensure they are suitable. The unusual creatures also need a diet of 75 per cent fruit and vegetables and 25 per cent protein mix.”

The bizarre meal is handmade using warm water, honey, shelled boiled eggs, high protein baby cereal, nutri-bars and vitamin supplements.

Yet they can be given drinking water in a rabbit bottle.

John Hepburn, who sells the gliders at his exotic pet shop, Pets Love Us in Southampton, said: “Sugar gliders are becoming rather popular as pets.

“They are extremely pretty and very tame providing the owner bonds with them – if not they can give a nasty nip.

“The best way to bond is to wear them around your neck in a material pouch – some people even take them to work in one where they will sleep all day.”