Hello all!
My husband and I are interested in adopting a pair of gliders. Before we do however we want to learn all there is to know so we are well prepared before diving in. I have a ton of questions and any advice is welcome!

1. I found a cage on Amazon that is wrought iron and quite a few reviewers say their gliders love it. Are wrought iron cages good to use for gliders? It's 30x18x72 (very tall).
That cage should be large enough, what is the bar spacing? It should be 1/2 inch or less.

2. I was raised around caring for and raising birds. As such there are specific toys that they cannot have. Are there any toys I should steer clear of when getting playthings for my gliders? (I plan to have everything ready beforehand)

The gliders should not have anything made of rope, they can get their toe nails caught in it. Everything we make for gliders is fleece, pouches have hidden seams. You should check your pouches daily for loose threads or if they have opened up a seam. Loose threads can get wrapped up around their legs and cut the circulation off. You also need to check pouches for your hair as that will do the same as a long thread.

3. When cage cleaning what is best recommend for cleaning cage, toys, and pouches? (What cleaners)

I use dawn dish soap to wash the cage and toys. I wash their pouches in regular detergent that I use on my clothes.

4. What fruits/vegetables/foods should I stay away from when it comes to their diet? My husband wants to do premade mixes but I would like to mix my own here and there for extra variety.

If you click on the word diet it will take you to the database of diets. I use Critterlove Plus with the recommended salad mixtures. Critterlove diets are the most extensively tested diets and there are 5 salad mixtures that you rotate through. You can find out more about Critterlove on their web site. Critterlove Diets

5. Concerning holes- our living room is made of plank-board walls, old house. I plan to seal any cracks but what should be my main focus size-wise to keep them from getting stuck in or behind the wall/under doors. I would say that anything bigger than 1/2 inch. If you choose to do bathroom time check where the pipes come out of the walls to make sure they can't get into the wall. I recommend tent time over bathroom time.

6. How/what should be used when bathing them? (Assuming they get some sort of bath/cleaning)

Generally gliders don't need to be bathed. If they get into some thing that would make them sick if they were to clean themselves up or if they have been in an ecollar for any length of time. If those circumstances happen then Original Dawn dish soap is what I recommend.

7. For the emergency medical kit what supplies should I always keep on hand to be prepared in case something happens until I get them to a vet.

This link should help you: http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/...ared#Post617336

8. Watering - is there a specific size/type/brand of water dispenser to use for them? Also what water is best? Would a purifier on the sink work or would it be recommended to buy purified bottled water (especially in the odd chance our water is shut off)

Tap water is find for them, but if you want to use bottled water that is fine too. Just do not use distilled water.

So far this is all I can think of. I've done tons of research but find varying answers. I know a lot is dependant on your glider and the breeder but I would like to have a good handle on basics beforehand and easily adjust afterwards.

All advice is welcome, sorry for the long post!!

As far as pouches go I've found large and small ones. What would the difference be there? Are smalls for babies?

The smaller pouches are normally used for a pair of gliders while the large to XXL pouches are used for families or colonies.

It really doesn't matter if you put a large pouch in with a pair especially if there are several little "blankies" in there for them to snuggle down into. That also gives them a choice.

You are welcome!

They do grow accustomed to noises. Our house gets too quiet sometimes, and at night, ours will bark. So while we are working at night I sometimes leave the TV going. That's one of the drawbacks of having gliders is they will bark at night. sounds like a small puppy. We sleep through it when we are home.

I do sing to mine. They will sit up at night, and listen to "The song of my people". They will watch me, nibble on their food, or groom themselves while listening. Last night, they sat side by side fidgeting/ grooming. It reminded me of children sitting through a sermon at church. I sang soft melodies, and when my concert was done, they both went to bed for a nap...

Music during the day might help with the sudden bangs of typical toddler play, especially at first. But they will eventually get used to it and will anticipate the noises over time.

Will they be in the same room as the toddler?

Well, the may or may not bark for the following reasons:

A shadow moves

A new smell

The wind blows

They want attention or they miss you

They want a treat(don't start this one Lol)

Just because they want you "Tell you the story of their people"

It is what they do to alert the colony to something.

When Fiona was a single, she was barking to see if any other gliders would answer back.

They normally don't bark all night, and not every night.

We keep ours in our bedroom, so I can sit up and check on them, and they can see us. After all this time, I just smile, and roll over. Its kinda cute, and relaxing to me.

One last question before I settle the munchkin in for the night,

I know that suggies are natural insectivores but are there bugs that they should not eat?

We sometimes get stinkbugs and ladybugs around outside during parts of the year. Should I be concerned about them getting ahold of one should it get inside?

You don't want them to have outside bugs as you don't know what has come into contact with pesticides or other sprays.

Stick with meal worms, Camille's has the best.