We just got our first glider from a regional breeder at a local show. He's a real cutie of course. Like most newbies I'm a bit intimidated by the "bonding" period. I'm only on day 3 and although I'm making progress it seems like he'll never like me LOL.
I'm not new to exotics but I'm a chameleon guy. The glider (Dr. Cornelius Squibbles if you must know) is something my wife and kids fell in love with immediately. I think he's great and look forward to bonding with him and getting him a cage mate very soon.
Aric Keith
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Current Research, Studies & Resources
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408472 04/04/1701:40 PM04/04/1701:40 PM
I'm trying not to get too disappointed in Squibble's ornery nature but I'll be honest, it's hard. Of course like most newbies I had this fantasy that he'd just love me right away. LOL.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408474 04/04/1703:38 PM04/04/1703:38 PM
Kimberley Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408476 04/04/1703:42 PM04/04/1703:42 PM
Yeah so here on day three, I get up this morning and he seems very curious to see me. He comes right up to my hand, same as yesterday. I've been putting yogurt on my fingers for him to lick, which has gone well. But no yogurt this morning. So he starts sniffing and licks and then CHOMP! Not hard, but he's clearly trying to figure out if there's some tasty treat hiding under there somewhere.
The little turd went from finger to finger chomping and gnawing. Not hard enough to break the skin but he was getting close. He wasn't angry or scared, just curious. But man I hope that stops because no way can wife or kids handle him if he does that.
And he's very crabby when he's in his felt pouch. I get that it's his safe place, but I feel like we should definitely be holding him with us when he's in pouch in order to make him comfortable with us. So I let him crab and just try not to [censored] him off too much.
Last edited by Aric; 04/04/1703:43 PM.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408479 04/04/1704:08 PM04/04/1704:08 PM
Welcome Aric! Is Dr. Squibbles (great name, by the way) a joey or a full-grown adult?
My boy Yoda seems to be growing out of his biting stage, which has lasted a couple of months at least. I'm still very cautious about letting his mouth get near my bare skin, but he's been more trustworthy lately.
I'm 5-6 months into my own glider servitude and we're definitely still bonding. I'm always jealous when I hear about other members of this forum who've been with their gliders for years and have built great trust with their critters, but I know it just takes time. Lots and LOTS of time.
Last edited by Stef333; 04/04/1704:10 PM.
Yoda (Yodins) Jabberwinky (Winklefritz)
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Stef333]
#1408480 04/04/1704:12 PM04/04/1704:12 PM
Welcome Aric! Is Squibbles (great name, by the way) a joey or a full-grown adult?
He is a joey. I was told he was 8 weeks old and I have no reason to doubt the breeder. I understand they crab a lot more as joeys. "Squibble" was a name suggested by one of my daughters. They love to name pets (and cars, and houses, and...) so I let them choose.
Quote:
My boy Yoda seems to be growing out of his biting stage, which has lasted a couple of months at least. I'm still very cautious about letting his mouth get near my bare skin, but he's been more trustworthy lately.
Well I hope Squibble doesn't go through that much of a phase! LOL.
Quote:
I'm 5-6 months into my own glider servitude and we're definitely still bonding. I'm always jealous when I hear about other members of this forum who've been with their gliders for years and have built great trust with their critters, but I know it just takes time. Lots and LOTS of time.
Yeah I kind of had the fantasy that it would just be a few days and he'd be coming out to play with us. But I'm a long haul kind of guy so I'll just keep at it. Aric
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408481 04/04/1705:08 PM04/04/1705:08 PM
Aric hey... IF they put their teeth on you in a way you don't like, give them a "TSSSK" and a gentle shake of the area they are biting on.
That's how their mom would say, "Hey stop that!"
Licky treats can be tricky, because in the wild, these guys chew off bark and lick the sap of trees. And if your fingers are out of delicious sap, time to dig deeper.
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: TwoDog]
#1408482 04/04/1705:12 PM04/04/1705:12 PM
Originally Posted By: TwoDog<br> (aka - ComradeFluffyPants)
Aric hey... IF they put their teeth on you in a way you don't like, give them a "TSSSK" and a gentle shake of the area they are biting on.
That's how their mom would say, "Hey stop that!"
I will definitely try that, thanks!
Quote:
Licky treats can be tricky, because in the wild, these guys chew off bark and lick the sap of trees. And if your fingers are out of delicious sap, time to dig deeper.
Being a semi-intelligent human (despite my maleness) this was something that did occur to me, LOL. I could tell he was just looking for the good stuff. Like "dude, [censored] did you do with my yogurt? Is it under HERE? CHOMP"
It was a bit relieving because I have been less than willing to let him bite me while lunging and crabbing. With this nibbling though I didn't reflexively jerk back. I did curl my finger slowly away to dissuade him but that just convinced him to move on to the next finger. Annoying but cute anyway.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408483 04/04/1705:38 PM04/04/1705:38 PM
Ask away, it just takes a lot of patience. To help with the crabbing, let him know you're in the room and before you open his cage. Have the last word over the crabbing. He will learn that if he shuts up so will you.
Thanks for sharing pic and keep us posted on your progress.
Dawn
Be patient, and Trust your journey....
Grace
Ruby
Mom
Fiona, Dot, Stewie and Dad
Wish I could turn back time... Miss you all...
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408493 04/04/1709:17 PM04/04/1709:17 PM
After he was done nibbling my fingers, this morning while he was still awake before I left for work I gave him a cricket. He really liked that!
I got home from work and found him lying underneath his pouch (pretty common). I have a pillow case scrunched up on the cage floor and the pouch on that. He likes to snuggle under the pouch.
Anyway, I lifted the pouch while talking to him and he just kind of sleepily looked up at me. No crabbing. I think that's a first!
I think tonight I'll make up a batch of the L... whatever it is diet that I got the recipe for.
Aric
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408494 04/04/1709:24 PM04/04/1709:24 PM
Oh, and I do have another question. What are the opinions on bedding materials like Comfort Care or aspen shavings? The breeder that we bought from suggested them, and I'll be honest he's quickly becoming a pungent little fellow. Possum pee is noticeably smelly. Not terrible, but I'd like to keep it manageable.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408498 04/04/1710:29 PM04/04/1710:29 PM
Oh my gosh major break through. TOnight I woke him up. ZERO crabbing. I put my hand toward him. ZERO crabbing. I gave him a yogie and he sat there in his bed eating it while I rubbed his head. Totally calm, perfectly happy. I got my wife to do the same thing, and even one of my sons gave him a yogie with no fuss.
YAY!!!!!!
PS- he still nibbles my fingertips if I leave them there, looking for the yogurt. LOL.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408502 04/05/1705:20 AM04/05/1705:20 AM
I don't have a male but from what I hear, males are a bit stronger. You may consider having him neutered i think it helps too. He may be over marking because he's still in new environment.
Some people just wipe down the drop pan(daily or every few days) others use paper towels or fleece. I made liners out of flannel(I shake out every few days and change weekly), but thinking about trying some from a vendor listed in the glider ads below (I'm on my phone and can't look him up without losing all I've written).
Last edited by Ladymagyver; 04/05/1705:23 AM. Reason: spell check Ugh!
Dawn
Be patient, and Trust your journey....
Grace
Ruby
Mom
Fiona, Dot, Stewie and Dad
Wish I could turn back time... Miss you all...
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408508 04/05/1709:40 AM04/05/1709:40 AM
Dawn is right, intact males can be odoriferous little buggars. Neutering will help a lot.
Kimberley Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Feather]
#1408511 04/05/1709:45 AM04/05/1709:45 AM
The picture is adorable... the two seem to be having the same thought: "What are you?"
Pleas consider getting a second glider to give him company during the night. Welcome to Glider Central!!
Thank you, and yes we're already discussing it with the breeder. We should have another joey in May! I'm leaning toward another male as I don't want to begin breeding and discover I am not prepared for the inevitable neutering, larger colony size, selling joeys, etc.
Last night he was really fun and took yogies from everybody in the house. This morning even without a yogie he let me pet him while he hung on the side of the cage. No fussing or apprehension.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408587 04/06/1701:10 AM04/06/1701:10 AM
Hey, welcome to the addiction! sounds like you are off to a great start.
RE: your bedding question. Lots of people use lots of different things---pine is a no no. I think paper is OK, nothing fibrous. I actually find the cleanest setup is no media at all. Bare cage/plastic pans, and maybe some cloth liners for them. Cage gets cleaned every day...only takes about 2 min. I blast them off in the shower with hot hot hot water and scrub with a toilet brush. Wipe dry--good to go. Sanitize with chems or vinegar when you do your full cleanings.
Hope that helps. :-)
Last edited by TwoDog (aka - ComradeFluffyPants); 04/06/1701:17 AM.
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: TwoDog]
#1408666 04/07/1705:57 PM04/07/1705:57 PM
Originally Posted By: TwoDog<br> (aka - ComradeFluffyPants)
Hey, welcome to the addiction! sounds like you are off to a great start.
RE: your bedding question. Lots of people use lots of different things---pine is a no no. I think paper is OK, nothing fibrous. I actually find the cleanest setup is no media at all. Bare cage/plastic pans, and maybe some cloth liners for them. Cage gets cleaned every day...only takes about 2 min. I blast them off in the shower with hot hot hot water and scrub with a toilet brush. Wipe dry--good to go. Sanitize with chems or vinegar when you do your full cleanings.
Hope that helps. :-)
Yes it helps thanks! I'm a bit odd, I am trying to do a more naturalistic set up with a couple live plants and some nice maple branches. I'm also using a Reptibreeze cage since I had one handy and the breeder I bought from happens to use them too. Presently no bedding and after a few days of this I don't think I'll really need it. The bottom wipes easily enough and he really doesn't poop that much, or if he does it's going in the plant soil and I can't see it.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408677 04/07/1710:29 PM04/07/1710:29 PM
Looks like the Reptibreeze cages are similar to the Reptariums. There is a whole section in Housing & Accessories Archives on Reptariums.
These were very popular until the manufacturer changed the screen. I used them exclusively. Awesome enclosures.
Thanks for the info. It seems that the reptariums are/were made from plastic, whereas the Reptibreeze is nearly all aluminum (the screen and frames). I'm not a stubborn guy so if I see any potential problems I'll find another solution but for now it seems to be working well. Squibble seems to enjoy scampering along the screens.
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble
Re: Another New Glider Guy Here
[Re: Aric]
#1408680 04/07/1710:40 PM04/07/1710:40 PM
Yes, the rept frames were/are made of pvc pipe which was not the problem. The original screens were great for the gliders IF you did not have any that were real chewers. The problem came when the manufacturer changed the screen so that it frayed and would get runs in it from the gliders' nails. The original screen did not do any of that even if the nails needed a trim.
I was fortunate to have ordered extra original screen because I liked to be able to swap a clean one while the soiled was being washed/dried, so I had plenty of the old version.
Yes, the rept frames were/are made of pvc pipe which was not the problem. The original screens were great for the gliders IF you did not have any that were real chewers. The problem came when the manufacturer changed the screen so that it frayed and would get runs in it from the gliders' nails. The original screen did not do any of that even if the nails needed a trim.
I was fortunate to have ordered extra original screen because I liked to be able to swap a clean one while the soiled was being washed/dried, so I had plenty of the old version.
Good to know! Aluminum screen is much harder to ear than that, at least with the gauge used on the Reptibreeze. I'll definitely be on the lookout for potential problems. THanks!
Aric Keith Glider Assistant to Dr Cornelius Squibble