And unlike sugargliders which have a high mortality rate in captivity, flying squirrels can go up to three times their "natural" lifespan in captivity as opposed to what they do in the wild.
Seems flyers are predisposed to rickets. They don't get the calcium in their diet to overcome their natural deficiencies. In the wild they tend to die around fives years old. Kept as pets and given a calcium suppliment they've been known to live well over ten years.
Word of warning though, flying squirrels tend to bond to ONE owner.
(- A neighbor had one as a pet when I was growing up. I did a bit of research on them over the years. I'd love a japanese dwarf flying squirrel. Those things are adorable. -)
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And unlike sugargliders which have a high mortality rate in captivity, flying squirrels can go up to three times their "natural" lifespan in captivity as opposed to what they do in the wild.
Seems flyers are predisposed to rickets. They don't get the calcium in their diet to overcome their natural deficiencies. In the wild they tend to die around fives years old. Kept as pets and given a calcium suppliment they've been known to live well over ten years.
Word of warning though, flying squirrels tend to bond to ONE owner.
(- A neighbor had one as a pet when I was growing up. I did a bit of research on them over the years. I'd love a japanese dwarf flying squirrel. Those things are adorable. -)