Harold and Maude

Two tiny thumb sized lightly fuzzy apparent Sugar Glider babies were discovered at the base of a tree, desperately clinging to the body of their dead mother, who was covered in orange lice eggs. These two midgets a boy and a girl, weighed in at a mighty 19 & 20gms putting their age at approx 65 days. They were first thought to be Sugar Gliders, because of the close similarity, but on close inspection and thorough measurement of the mother, it was discovered these were in actual fact Squirrel Gliders.

They were placed in a humidibox at 28 deg, in a pouch with a piece of balled up sheepskin for a surrogate mother (old ugg boots still come in handy). Their eyes were only just opening and they were covered in a very fine fur, feeding 6 times each day. At first they were a bit unhappy about the flavour of their new milk, so had to be syringe fed with the tiniest of teats, after about 3 days they became more enthusiastic about the milk formula and began lapping from a dish.

They grew amazingly quickly and within 6 weeks their weight had increased to 95gms, living in a 6mtr long x 2.5mtr x 2.5mtr "Flight Training Centre" and sleeping in a hollow log suspended from the roof under shelter. They loved to hunt and eat the many grasshoppers, horse flies, moths and any other insects that strayed into their enclosure and which I collected as snacks, as well as the fresh new tips and flowers off the gums, wattles, grevilleas and other natives provided.

I tried to give them as much foliage containing lots of insects and lerps as possible.I had to be very wary entering the Flight Centre and very quick about cleaning their pen, as these guys can glide. I found myself running about ducking and weaving to avoid them capturing me. They soon forgot about me and became very secretive as they matured, and the day for release came about very quickly.

The night of their release was the most nervous time forme, knowing these little guys were off into the big bad world all alone, waited up like an anxious mother most that night, but in the morning there they were back in their hollow log and I finally got some sleep..... you know how it goes. They kept returning each day or other day for a bout 2 and half weeks, then were gone.

These were my first squirrel gliders, and I am told they do not come into care often, so I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to care for and study these creatures so closely. A wonderful experience.





		Two tiny thumb sized lightly fuzzy apparent Sugar Glider babies were discovered at the base of a tree, desperately clinging to the body of their dead mother, who was covered in orange lice eggs. These two midgets a boy and a girl, weighed in at a mighty 19 & 20gms putting their age at approx 65 days. They were first thought to be Sugar Gliders, because of the close similarity, but on close inspection and thorough measurement of the mother, it was discovered these were in actual fact Squirrel Gliders. They were placed in a humidibox at 28 deg, in a pouch with a piece of balled up sheepskin for a surrogate mother (old ugg boots still come in handy). Their eyes were only just opening and they were covered in a very fine fur, feeding 6 times each day. At first they were a bit unhappy about the flavour of their new milk, so had to be syringe fed with the tiniest of teats, after about 3 days they became more enthusiastic about the milk formula and began lapping from a dish. They grew amazingly quickly and within 6 weeks their weight had increased to 95gms, living in a 6mtr long x 2.5mtr x 2.5mtr "Flight Training Centre" and sleeping in a hollow log suspended from the roof under shelter. They loved to hunt and eat the many grasshoppers, horse flies, moths and any other insects that strayed into their enclosure and which I collected as snacks, as well as the fresh new tips and flowers off the gums, wattles, grevilleas and other natives provided. I tried to give them as much foliage containing lots of insects and lerps as possible.I had to be very wary entering the Flight Centre and very quick about cleaning their pen, as these guys can glide. I found myself running about ducking and weaving to avoid them capturing me. They soon forgot about me and became very secretive as they matured, and the day for release came about very quickly. The night of their release was the most nervous time forme, knowing these little guys were off into the big bad world all alone, waited up like an anxious mother most that night, but in the morning there they were back in their hollow log and I finally got some sleep..... you know how it goes. They kept returning each day or other day for a bout 2 and half weeks, then were gone. These were my first squirrel gliders, and I am told they do not come into care often, so I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to care for and study these creatures so closely. A wonderful experience.


			©Wildlife Mountain 2000, 2001, 2002 Wildlife Mountain is sponsored by the caring people from Foto Riesel. All pictures in this site are taken using their camera's and equipment. (364a Kent St, Sydney, +61 (02) 92996746) We are also kindly sponsored by the friendly gang from the Ginger Necktar Drink Company. We would also like to acknowledge the amazing support and help we have had from the Lismore Vet Clinic who have been an invaluable support to both us and the native wildlife of this region. All native birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles are proteced under the Wildlife Act 1975, they may not be captured or harmed in any way without an authority issued under the Wildlife Act.