🌈 A Splash of Color at the Grove | Welcoming Sylph & Ostara

After a whirlwind year filled with love, learning, and more sugar glider antics than we ever expected, the Grove had grown into a bustling little haven of glider life.

And while we loved our crew of eight wonderful gliders, there was something we found ourselves dreaming about: color.

At the time, nearly all of our sugar gliders were standard gray—a beautiful and classic look, no doubt. But while we later learned that some were technically White Tips, Black Beauties, or White Face, they all had that familiar “standard” appearance at first glance. We were curious to see what it might be like to bring home gliders with truly standout visual differences—ones that could add new hues to the Grove’s palette and expand our experience as keepers.

So when we took a trip back to our hometown in Texas for Easter, we decided to check in with the pet store where we’d originally gotten Benji and Wilford. We were just curious—what colors were they carrying now? What were the prices like?

We reached out on Facebook. The store was closed for the holiday... but one of the employees happened to be inside feeding animals and replied:
“If you can make it here in the next 30 minutes, I’ll let you in.”

Challenge accepted.

We were 25 minutes away.

🧺 The Easter Surprise

We made it just in time, and we’re so glad we did.

Inside, nestled in a warm, cozy enclosure, were two gliders that immediately caught our attention—not just because of their colors, but because of their personalities.

One had a mystical, delicate presence—something soft and ethereal in the way she moved. The other had a bold curiosity and warmth that felt instantly inviting.

We weren’t looking to add new breeders. These gliders were unlineaged, and responsible breeding requires careful genetic tracking to avoid inbreeding, especially in a small gene pool like that of sugar gliders in the U.S. Instead, we chose to bring them home as pets, purely for the joy they brought and the beauty they added to the Grove.

We named them:

• Sylph of the Whispering Woods, a nod to her airy elegance and almost fairy-like demeanor.

• Ostara, named for the spring goddess of dawn and renewal—perfect for an Easter arrival.

They were the Grove’s first high-contrast color gliders, and they brought with them a refreshing sense of excitement, magic, and growth.

🌿 Why We Chose to Add Color

We want to be clear: standard gray gliders are every bit as wonderful as their more vibrant cousins. They're often more affordable, easier to find, and just as affectionate and clever. In fact, many of our most beloved gliders—like Papa, Marsha, and Benji—are standard gray (or appear that way at a glance).

But after raising a whole crew of gray beauties, we were simply curious to expand our horizons a little. We wanted to see the full range of what gliders could be—not just in look, but in spirit.

And Sylph and Ostara delivered.

From the moment they joined us, they added something special to the Grove—not better, not more important—just different. A new texture. A new shade of joy.

✨ Stay tuned for more updates as Sylph and Ostara settle into life at the Grove—and as we continue to tell the stories of the little lives that fill our days with wonder.

With love,
🌿 The Grove Keepers