Happy June, everyone! The colony is here with a fun update.
As many glider owners know, one of the best tools that you can have in a sugar glider household is a tent. Most any pop-up camping tents work great, as long as they close completely so that no little critters can get in or, more importantly, out. I’ve had a 7′ square camping tent since I first adopted Leo and Zik as joeys. Being able to sit inside, zip it up, and let the critters run around is so much fun. Their personalities come through in big ways when they have more room to run around and you can interact with them directly. You can also provide a wider variety of toys than they can have in a cage. It’s a safe and great way to bond with your glider while in a contained environment.
There are some down sides to using a tent. For instance, the pyramid shaped ones only really allow a person to sit upright in the middle. Also, you’re pretty much stuck sitting on a floor. Our house is hardwood, which means it gets uncomfortable after only a few minutes. I had tried a low beach chair for a little while, but I still had to sit hunched, and then I couldn’t play with the little guys as easily. Another option I tried was sitting on a pillow, but Zik in particular was constantly trying to burrow underneath of me. I was constantly afraid of accidentally sitting on him! The last down side that I encountered was purely inconvenience, since it took up my entire spare bedroom floor.
Earlier this year I learned about a very interesting kind of tent that I wish I had known about ages ago. There are tents that fit over beds, provide darkening/shade, and zip entirely closed!
I was so excited and had to get one for the colony. The tents are designed for a mattress inside, but for cleaning purposes we have it set securely on top of the bed. It’s tall enough to comfortably sit upright, and long enough that I can sprawl out inside and play with the critters without squishing anyone. The top part on each end is mesh to allow a nice cross breeze with a fan. Otherwise, it gets pretty toasty in there after a while.
Since it’s sitting on top of a bed, it’s super comfy for longer play sessions. On one end inside there is enough room for me to hang out. On the other end there is a blanket (for easy cleaning) and toys. Yip’s big blue dinosaur was the first toy to be included, since it wouldn’t be playtime without it. We also added the giraffe scratching post, some of the aquarium decorations, and a handful of little toys to carry and roll around.
Here are some pictures from playtime in the new tent!
The gliders were very curious and explored every little wrinkle in the fabric. Yip loves being up high, so he keeps trying to find ways to climb up to the roof. The fabric is too slick, but when he manages to jump onto the mesh up high he is happy. Leo has been scoping out possible places for a snack stash where to keep food from his brothers. Rufus, meanwhile, has been busying himself with finding the best hiding spots.
Moving on, I do have one addition to the website to share. There is now an option on the Buy Books Direct page to buy the whole set direct from me! This option means that you can request your books be signed and even dedicated to yourself or the recipient.
From myself and my colony, to you and your colony…
Keep Gliding!
-V
Victoria Barr 