Sugar Posum - care and maintenance at home

By sugar sum is meant a small-sized individual, which usually lives in forest parts with the growth of eucalyptus. By external characteristics, members of the family are similar to proteins. Animals are classified as marsupial, they are included in the category of flying squirrels. Many people who want to bring an exotic pet into the house try to make the new family member feel as comfortable as possible. However, this cannot be achieved if you do not even have a basic idea of ​​what animals like. Let's get started.

Home selection

1. Of course, initially it is necessary to deal with the cell, and only then everyone else. Consider how many individuals you plan to get. Build on this, wanting to get a cage. If it is not possible to constantly be with the animal and let it out, then the house should be spacious. It is also necessary to understand that posums are awake at night, you will have to communicate with them at this time. If not, then get a few individuals.
2. As practice shows, it is optimal to get animals of different sexes. But if there is no desire to make a couple, then you should get two females. They should be assigned to the same litter to avoid disagreement. Even if the males are of the same generation, then during the ripening period they will begin to conflict and quarrel over the territory. Possum often suffers from depressive disorders with a lack of communication, so two individuals will be much more fun.
3. It is extremely important to choose the optimal living space. About 50 cm of space is allocated to one posum. Accordingly, the height should be 1.5-2 times greater. You need to choose a dwelling with a lower pallet or a house like a terrarium. Several animals will require a dwelling that is 75-100 cm high and about 120 cm long. Make a start from the basic concept - a spacious dwelling is the best solution.
4. If you decide to give preference to the cell, then the interval between the rods is taken into account. It should not be more than 10 mm., Since these animals are quite nosy. If you do not take this parameter into account, the pet will begin to crawl out of the housing without notifying you. These creatures are very smart, they can open the cell door, so you need to think about latches right away. They will move the usual heck and go outside.
5. Now with regards to the location. Optimal place the home in a dark place. However, this should not be a bedroom, otherwise the owners simply will not be able to sleep from the constant rustle at night. Naturally, in the installation area of ​​the house there should be no purges, heating radiators, direct UV rays.
6. It is necessary to exclude from the species of sums varieties of indoor plants that are classified as poisonous specifically for these animals. In order not to damage the curtains, they are also cleaned, as well as furniture. Now it's time to study the indicators of the temperature regime at which individuals will feel as comfortable as possible. Enough indicators in the range of 22-28 degrees. In order to prevent the development of stench, granules or sawdust are placed in the lower pan.

Home improvement

1. These animals require special conditions, in particular nests at home. It can be plastic, wooden and other structures with an entrance hole with a diameter of about 8 cm. They are suspended or attached directly to the side walls closer to the top. At the bottom there is a filler in the form of compressed sawdust, straw, etc. You can also lay fleece, but make sure that there are no protruding threads.
2. Of course, you should get a snag. These individuals love to climb, and therefore will be happy with this.Birch, aspen, elm, etc. are used as branches. But the bark needs to be cleaned so that the branches are bare. Also important attributes are considered to be a special device designed for grinding off claws.
3. It should be noted that all bowls for drinking or eating should have a stable structure. It can be ceramics, clay, metal, etc. For stability, many experienced people advise screwing bowls to the walls. If the animal is accustomed to drinking, then it is worth getting it.
4. A hammock, a wheel to maintain shape and ropes will not be amiss. You can also do the installation of stairs, attractions and everything that comes to mind to the owner. But clutter up the inner space is not worth too much. From toys choose plastic products.
5. Nest houses that are installed directly inside the home are cleaned every 3 days. And the dwelling itself is daily. In the process of cleaning hard products are not used, these individuals are irritated by extraneous odors. You need to take only water and soda.

Care

1. The specimens of the type under discussion are clean, they lick their own hair, so the owner should not do anything in addition. It is forbidden to bathe them, these animals often drown, because they can not cope even with a small depth. If the pet becomes dirty, it is wiped with a cloth moistened with water, then you need to dry it with a towel and keep it warm.
2. Nail clipping is also unnecessary. Animals carry out these manipulations about the trees available in the house. But if possum did not, then arm yourself with a nail clipper and cut carefully. In order not to encounter resistance, the pet is wrapped in a towel and pulled out one by one in a row.

Feeding

1. Do not forget that the question of feeding is the most responsible. Therefore, the lucky owner of such a unique animal is worth exploring some of the subtleties. If this is not done, the animal may suffer.
2. Due to proper nutrition, the pet will not only have no health problems, but he will live a long time. In addition, the mood will directly depend on a quality diet. As for wildlife, the presented individual is almost omnivorous.
3. The basis of the diet of such a protein includes various insects and fruits. At home feeding, try to follow simple rules. Only 30% should be carbohydrates, and 70% protein. Before waking up, always fill the containers with clean water and fresh food.
4. Such animals wake up, usually around 9 pm. Thoroughly clean the feeders every morning, then pour fresh water. In no case should such an animal have access to food around the clock. The animal will soon begin to suffer from obesity.
5. A characteristic feature of such an animal is that they sometimes wake up during the day and sleepy drag themselves food into the house. Squirrels can even fall asleep on the go with a piece of food in their paws. In the afternoon, you can only leave a small piece of fruit for the pet. A small amount of juice, which is diluted with water, will not be superfluous.
6. Do not be afraid if you notice that your pet has not touched water for a long time. Such animals can get enough moisture from fruits. Keep in mind that even in this case, water should always be poured into the drinker every day.
7. It is strongly recommended to give preference to bottled or filtered liquid. This will prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria that can harm the animal. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to give the animal human food from the table.
8. Sausages, fried, salty, fatty and spicy products fall under the ban. The only thing allowed is boiled turkey or chicken without adding any seasoning. In a limited amount, the animal can be given fruit and honey.This is especially necessary as a treat when the female is pregnant or nursing babies.
9. The main diet should be rich in calcium. The lack of an element has a very negative effect on the state of the protein. In addition, phosphorus must be contained in the minimum amount in the diet. Remember, all fruits and vegetables must be cut into large pieces. The pet should easily take them in their paws.

Breeding

1. If you intend to breed such animals yourself, it is worth noting that such actions are extremely costly and require responsibility. Moreover, such a business is very difficult to call highly profitable.
2. It also takes a lot of time. The female continues to take care of the offspring for about 5 months. In this case, the room should be isolated and spacious. In addition, pregnant females and those who feed offspring become quite aggressive. They practically do not show affection and friendliness to people.
3. Females may have a different character due to early pregnancy, genetic predisposition, and much more. In this case, mothers sometimes abandon their own cubs. In some cases, they even eat them. Therefore, before acquiring a couple, carefully study everything and familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of breeding.
4. Males reach puberty at the age of 4 months, and females a little later. However, it is recommended to breed animals when they are at least 1 year old. By this age, pets will become a little responsible.
5. Most often, the mating season is in the middle of summer. Proteins can bring offspring up to 2 times a year. In order not to cause any pathologies in the cubs, do not choose to mate related individuals.
6. As soon as the female begins estrus, mating proceeds throughout the whole day. In this state, animals can refuse food, behave excitedly and make characteristic sounds to call a partner.
7. Males are aggressive. And during mating, they can even inflict wounds on a girlfriend. They bite behind their backs. For such animals, such behavior is considered quite normal. If you notice a wound, try to process it as soon as possible. If necessary, drop the female to recover if the male continues to get it.
8. Pregnancy lasts about 2 weeks. In such a period, there is no need to transplant the male into another cage. After mating, he does not bother his girlfriend. As soon as the baby is born, the male helps the female to look after him. When the birth begins to approach, the mother carefully licks her stomach.
9. As a rule, only one little squirrel is born, less often two. The baby is in the mother’s bag for 10 weeks. All this time he eats mother's milk. When a female feeds offspring, her diet needs to be increased by 50%.

The animals presented are quite interesting. Few people have them as pets. If you decide to contain them, take care of everything in advance and prepare.

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