Squirrel Glider - Nswfmpa.org

5 General Husbandry5.1 Hygiene and Cleaning# Every morning feed dishes should be collected. Food scraps and faecal remains should bepicked up using a dustpan and brush. Clean water bowls and fill up with fresh drinking water(daily).# Scrub down platforms and nest boxes as required.# Replace browse weekly or when fresh browse is required.# Every six months or as required undertake a complete substrate change. Before adding newsubstrate the enclosure is scrubbed out and disinfected. Gliders are to be removed by this is beingdone. (Per’s obs).5.2 Record KeepingIt is important to keep records of health, condition and reproductive status of captive squirrelgliders.• Identification numbers; all individuals should be identifiable.• Any veterinary examination conducted.• Treatments provided.• Behavioural changes or problems.• Reproductive behaviour or conditions.• Weights and measurements.• Changes in diet.• Movements of individuals between enclosures or institutions.• Births with dam and sire known.• Deaths with post mortem results.Keeping records can contribute greatly to the husbandry of the species. It also allows thehistory of individuals to be transferred to other institutions and greatly facilitate a cooperativeapproach to data collection amongst institutions. In larger institutions ARKS (for generalinformation on births, transfers and deaths), SPARKS (Breeding studbook for species) andMedARKS (veterinary information) are used. These systems have been developed by theInternational Species Information System (ISIS). (Jackson .S. Ed. 2003)5.3 Methods of Identification# Passive integrated transponder (PIT). This is implanted between the scapulae of individuals,over 10g in body weight. This is an excellent method of identification but can be expensive ifmany animals are to be implanted.This is a permanent method though care should be taken when they are implanted as they cantrack out. This can be avoided by sealing the entrance with tissue glue. (Vet bond) or similar fastsetting adhesive. With this method of identification the glider will have to be captured.# Tattoos. This has been used and is placed on the ears or behind the hind leg, but tends to fadewith time. The ears of the squirrel glider are not that large so there is not much space to fitidentification, and may still need to be caught for correct identification. (Jackson.S.Ed. 2003).17