So I've been considering tent-time with Murdoc, but I'm terrified hes going to bite me.
As of right now, I can put my hand in the pouch without crabbing or him trying to hide from me. When I put my scent patches in the pouch, he immediately starts "grooming" them. (Licking, nibbling, etc.)

This morning, his nails were caught in the fleece of his pouch. I gave him a treat and gently freed his nails and stroked his little palm without protest.

Yet I'm still afraid. Suggestions?

I found that even my fearful biter bit me less often when we were in the tent (he no longer bites unless clipping nails). It was almost as if he felt safer and so was less afraid of me (because I didn't have to chase him or worry about catching him).

Ironically enough, what usually works best is accept the fact that you will get bitten.
Gliders, like any animal can sense fear and the more you fear it the more they feel you fear, and actually become fearful themselves. Therefore bite more often.
Once you accept the fact that you will get bitten, you calm yourself and therefore your glider is calmer.
...and if you don't get bit, well then that is just a bonus.
(BTW, I have been around gliders for 5+ years and once in a while, one will still catch me by surprise and nip me. I don't think I've ever gotten used to it but if I worry or dwell on it, it seems to happen more often.)

I think gliders tend to bite less in the tent or glider proof room because your stress and fear of not being able to catch them is less, so they are calmer too.

Moral of the story, RELAX and enjoy your glider. When you do that, he will probably relax too!

I agree with the above. It doesn't sound like he's a biter. If you've not been bitten by now, especially after freeing his foot, I don't think you will be. Actually, my only concern with him is his nail getting stuck. Do you know how to trim or file his nail so it won't get caught? You don't want it to get caught when you're not around to free him.

It sounds like if you did tent time that he'd be gentile with you. I've never been bitten really bad...well, not yet, but even the nips that draw blood aren't bad...it's gonna hurt your feelings more than anything. It did me anyway. If that happens, all you can do is keep trying.

No, I don't know how to trim them. I've watched videos and read tutorials, but still don't trust myself and theres no glider people close to help me.

I was going to let my vet's office do it, but they want $54.99 for an office call and then $12 for the "grooming".

There should be no office charge if you just go for nails trimming.
Does he love mealies? If so the easiest way for you & him is to put him in a pouch along with several mealies and take out just one foot at a time & close the rest of him up in the pouch firmly, use little nail clippers and just trim the very tips off as quickly as safely possible.

If you only manage a few nails at a time that is a few more than when you started. You will get used to it & become more adept quickly.

I'm terrified of hurting them though.

When we say "trim the tip", that means just barely the very point. When I use the emery board, I run it across the nail no more than 3 times. The objective isn't to take off as much nail as possible before you reach the quick. It's to barely dull the point so that it won't get caught on pouches, toys, etc.

I may get an emery board and try it. I'd probably be more comfortable with that. I've noticed that both of the boys have been getting caught in their fleece. >.<

You can also use the emery board in place of clipping.

I think I would be more comfortable with the emery board as opposed to clippers. Seems like theres a lot of room for error when it comes to clippers and I don't trust myself as inexperienced as I am.

I've decided I'm going to give tent time with him a go tonight. I'm excited and nervous about it. I'm hoping all goes well with it.

So its getting closer and closer to time for him to wake up...I have the tent set up in the living room...and I'm on the verge of chickening out.

Go for it! You'll be delighted when he comes out to play! Before they get used to hands, they need to get used to YOU.

Give it a try! Playtime is sooo fun. Have fun and I cant wait to hear how it goes

I'm really hoping it goes well! I'm going to try it regardless. I figure they let me put my hand in the pouch, they take treats, and they let me pet them with no protest. Therefore, tent time should be okay...right? lol

You'll never know until you go for it but you'll do fine

I really should stop saying "they" because I'm only talking about Murdoc. Dexter is as sweet and gentle as they come.

Skittles was meaner than blue blazes when we brought him home, crabbed his head off all the time & would literally draw blood THRU the bonding pouch.
Put him in the bathroom(we had no tent back then) & he was a different glider, he would occasionally find a piece if skin he felt like tasting but NEVER an aggressive mean bite just a little nip

hmm my case would be weird, my glider is afraid but she doesn crab at me.. When i put hold her she falls straight to sleep or hug my finger to sleep...

the thing with her is she loves.... i mean seriously love biting my fingers and nails.. i let her chew as long she doesn chew too hard... no matter how many time i put my hand into the cage she will come and the first thing she do is bite...

is like cleaning me.. she go ard chasing my fingers...

perhaps is the way they play around with you? to them may be a sort of 'fun' thing to do??

what do you think??

Well Sarah, Was it as horrible as you thought? Did you even go through with it! You better have!!

You get bit, you get bit. Youve given birth to four beautiful kids, I dont think a pinch is gonna compare.:) Believe me, if you saw me, youd think I got in a fight with a thorn bush with all the scratches I have all my over my hands, shoulders, chest and neck.. I am the jungle gym during out time!

Better have taken pics

I agree! as much as it may hurt you if they bite...well they are very small. it's not like you will lose an arm, you will at worse get a tiny hole and a tiny spot of blood. like from a needle. and the scratches on my arms...well...since I garden alot and sometimes do wrestle with rose bushes...i just dont even think about it.