Boxed Blocks

Boxed Blocks bought from Chopper's Toys for $15.99

North: When I'm in a wild mood I like to attack these boxes. I'm pretty sure there must be something fantastic in them since it seems like Mom is always trying to hide great things from me. I've already figured out how to chew through the bag that contains my beloved Cheerios so I'm sure I'll get into these boxes someday, too.

Nocturne: I'm really not quite sure what to make of this toy. I often climb around on the boxes, investigating them carefully with a confused look on my face. I like to shuffle the boxes around and occasionally gnaw on them or the beads.

Mom: I think this is a nice toy but probably more suited to sugar gliders who are chewers and birds. So far the boys have been too lazy to really go after this toy and rip it apart. I rubbed the boxes with yogies to encourage the gliders to tear them up but it just encouraged them to obsessively sniff and lick the boxes. I should also mention that before putting the Boxed Blocks in the cage I disassembled it to remove some suspicious wood beads that were strung along with the plastic ones and then put it all back together.

Fresh Eucalyptus

Fresh Eucalyptus bought from EucProducts

North: I love eucalyptus but only after Mom lets the leaves dry out. Besides licking the water off freshly rinsed leaves, I have no interest in it while it's fresh. I like eucalyptus when Mom hangs it up to dry naturally but I absolutely go crazy for it when she makes it into little dried rolls for us.

Nocturne: I enjoy investigating the eucalyptus and nibbling on it even when it's fresh. However, I also go crazy for it when Mom rolls it up and dries it. The rolls are so amazing that I have to do a little panic dance when I get one and find a hiding place so I can destroy it without threat of disturbance.

Mom: I've bought eucalyptus from EucProducts many times and I've always been really impressed with them. There are many different packages to choose from on their website and I now buy the one with only leaves, no chew sticks or perches, because that's what the gliders prefer. The owner of EucProducts is always very happy to help customize your order to suit your pet's needs best.

Please be aware that the fresh eucalyptus from EucProducts is NOT that horrible eucalyptus that can be found in floral and craft stores. EucProducts can be safely used by sugar gliders, birds, and many other animals.

Eucalyptus Rolls

Euc Rolls: DIY project

Supplies: eucalyptus, poking device (in this case a "cake tester" that began its life as the innards of a corkscrew my parents got as a wedding present in 1971), scissors, towel

1. Cut off a leaf leaving the stem attached. Large, banana-shaped euc leaves work best for these rolls.

2. Bend several inches at the tip of the leaf at a 90 degree angle to form the tail.

3. Roll toward the stem, encapsulating the bend.

4. Place the roll on the towel and poke a hole through all layers of the leaf. You may need to widen the hole with scissors if it isn't big enough.

5. Push the stem through the hole. Try to get the stem to come out the other side of the roll.

6. Pull the stem fully through the hole. (If you can't get the stem through to the other side of the roll, just make sure it's pushed tightly into the layers to hold it all together.)

I make these rolls in large batches during playtime since the gliders love to "help" while I'm working on any kind of toy for them. I toss them in a ziplock baggie but leave is open so they can air dry. It's fine to give them to your pet right away but I prefer to let them dry for at least 24 hours because it helps them hold their rolled shape even while being ripped apart.

-Mom