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Re: Do gliders need to be kept in pairs?
[Re: HeatherK329]
#1354699
10/03/13 02:40 PM
10/03/13 02:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45 VA
tsuggielove
Out of Pouch
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Out of Pouch
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45
VA
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You should do it. They are COLONY animals. If you don't stay awake the WHOLE night interacting with your glider then he is not getting the attention he needs and deserves. There's no way around it. He needs a cagemate to play with during the WHOLE night and to sleep and cuddle with during the day. Imagine if you had zero interactions with human beings...No one to understand you, to talk to, to listen, no one to hang out with, etc. It doesn't matter if you have 10 cats or dogs...It's just in NO WAY the same. You are not now and never will be a replacement for another glider. Also, you can get gliders cheap...you don't have to get one from a breeder. There are TONS of gliders that need homes and they are MUCH cheaper than one from a breeder. And sometimes breeders offer pet only joeys at very low prices too. People recommend a 30 day quarantine. After the 30 days you can start introductions. Being in a smaller cage for a month or two is no big deal, btw. Being in a small cage their whole lives is the problem, not a few months. Introductions probably will not last a week. It all depends on the gliders. If they get along quickly or not (they may not even get along at all). Usually you start with exchanging pouches for a while. Although some people say that exchanging pouches doesn't really do anything because, it doesn't matter how many times you exchange pouches, if they don't like the smell of the other glider they just don't. You can also buy double pouches (or w/e they are called) and introduce them that way after you have been exchanging pouches. They don't have access to each other in those pouches, they just smell and see each other. You can also put their cages beside each other so they can see each other during night time when they are awake. After doing that, if there seems to be no problem, you can put the new glider in the bigger cage while you are there. Like, during the day when they are sleeping so you can keep an eye on them. It's a good sign if they are happily sleeping in the pouch together. I guess there are different ways to introduce them. It all depends on your availability. Like if you work during the day or not, how many days you work, etc. I didn't do the 30 day quarantine because I was doing home renovations and had to put them all in the same room around 2 1/2 weeks into the quarantine. Not everyone actually does the quarantine, though...I say wait at least two weeks. Don't just put them together right away. And take the new glider to the vet before introducing them. If I were getting a glider from a rescue or from a random person (not from a breeder that actually takes their gliders to a vet and makes sure their breeding facility is clean and free of parasites or w/e) I would definitely do the full 30 day quarantine. My gliders all got along, luckily. I didn't really follow recommendations word for word...I just used my brain haha I have experience with many different animals so I kind of knew what I was doing XD
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Re: Do gliders need to be kept in pairs?
[Re: HeatherK329]
#1354724
10/03/13 11:56 PM
10/03/13 11:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742 in my happy place
sugarlope
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
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Gliders can certainly be happy as singles, I have met quite a few (and owned a couple) of them in my years of glider-ship. EVERYone is going to have their opinion (some very strong) about everything related to gliders. In this situation, it seems like you already have your mind made up, so I'm not really sure why you asked the question. I am really not trying to be rude, at all, but in case anyone's opinions rub you the wrong way, I did want to make that point early on. Certainly many gliders are very happy in multiples, some gliders are very happy as singles. If your life changes and you are not able to find as much time to spend, it is definitely worth considering the change in time that he is used to and how that will affect him. I am sure you know how to recognize the signs of stress and loneliness so if those symptoms ever arise, you know that you will need to re-evaluate what is best for him at that point. As it is, enjoy your time with him as I am sure he enjoys his time with you.
~Gretchen
If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
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Re: Do gliders need to be kept in pairs?
[Re: HeatherK329]
#1354741
10/04/13 09:11 AM
10/04/13 09:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093 North Central Ohio
GliderNursery
Tech Admn
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Tech Admn
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
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I agree with Gretchen. Although I highly recommend that gliders always be in at least pairs because they are colony animals, some do just fine as singles. I had Whiskey for over a year before she got her cagemate. I did try to intro her with my pet cage, but it didn't work out. Because I did not want her breeding too early, that meant she stayed a lone glider until I got her mate. Honestly, she acts the same today as she did when she was alone. The big difference now is I think she would get depressed if she were to be seperated from her mate (which I have no intention of doing). So, some can do fine as singles. And then there are those that cannot handle being alone. I sent a joey home that went pretty crazy because it was in quarantine. The new owner, for the gliders sake, broke quaratine and the joey settled immediately. That is a glider that will never do good alone. So the bottom line is know your glider, and do what is best for it. Since you mentioned financial limitations, I recommend starting a glider savings fund. Partly for emergency vet care and for purchasing a buddy when/if the need arrises. If he starts showing signs of depression, you won't have time to save up then to get another glider, you'll need to get one quickly. I also agree that no person is capable of providing the same type of communication as another glider. I know I would miss social interation with other humans, so I can only feel they would be the same not having another glider to communicate with. So, although your glider may be doing "fine", it may not mean he's as happy as he could be.
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Re: Do gliders need to be kept in pairs?
[Re: HeatherK329]
#1354747
10/04/13 12:15 PM
10/04/13 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 64 Chicago
HeatherK329
OP
Out of Pouch
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OP
Out of Pouch
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 64
Chicago
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Thank you for the opinions. And yes I think I have made up my mind, I just wanted to know all the details before I made a decision. I do have an emergency fund for him, so I guess I'll keep adding to it and maybe get him a cage mate in the next year or so. I want to make sure I have enough for vet checks and everything to make them comfortable before I buy another baby and am not prepared. Thanks
Proud mommy of 1yo Howard Hughes <3
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Re: Do gliders need to be kept in pairs?
[Re: HeatherK329]
#1392507
08/02/15 01:02 AM
08/02/15 01:02 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 38 Houston, TX
SuggieSamantha
In Pouch
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In Pouch
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 38
Houston, TX
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Some may do ok in singles, but they definitely thrive in at least pairs. I'd never keep just one glider. It's just too cruel to me. They're even more social than humans and I'd go crazy with only dogs, cats, gliders, etc. If you cannot be up with him the entire night, cannot talk to him in his language, cannot groom him, cuddle with him all day, etc, then you cannot replace another glider. Many seem happy alone but once you add another they are MUCH more lively. I've seen and heard of many self mutilating. The breeders I work for won't even sell a single glider unless you already have some at home and you can prove it. Even if they are happy and active, everyone seems to agree that being in pairs will lengthen their life span. Gliders kept alone typically only live a few weeks to a few years. Yes there are outliers but as a general, colobies are the way to go.
Loki Billy Skittle Wheezer
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