GliderCENTRAL

Help with Handling

Posted By: Anonymous

Help with Handling - 01/02/08 03:29 PM

My family just adopted a female glider that is approximately 12 weeks old. She will eat yogurt off our finger but wants to bite our hand off when we zip or unzip her pouch to carry her around or put her back in her cage. Does anyone have any suggestions? She will come to the edge of the cage when we talk to her. I do not want to scare her so I am looking for any suggestions.
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 03:46 PM

wave Jill, WELCOME to GliderCENTRAL!
The first thing that I'd like to point out is that when you first bring a new sugar glider home they are going to be afraid. The best thing to do is to give them time to adjust to their new enviorment, smells, people, etc. It takes time for them to learn to develop a trust to where they are not afraid of you.
I would like to suggest that you leave her undisturbed for a few days, offer her treats while she is in her cage, sit near the cage while she is awake in the evening and just talk to her. Give her time to get to know you. The more a suger glider is fussed with before they have developed a trust the more afraid they become and will crab, bite, and run away.
Here are a few links that will help with understanding the bonding process.
Into the Bonding Pit
Critterkisses Bonding Techniques
Tent Time
If you can give us more information on the the diet your feeding, cage size, toys, pouches, that you have we will help with suggestions on setting things up for her.
Posted By: melek007

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 04:51 PM

Welcome to GliderCENTRAL! wave You've been given some links to the information you need; time to start reading! read

What diet are you using? Sugar gliders have special dietary needs, but fortunately for us, some proven diets are there to satisfy this rather complex requirement.
I recommend the HPW (High Protein Wombaroo) diet, Pricilla's Sugar Glider Exotic diet (aka The Pet Glider diet), the BML (Bourbon's Modified Leadbeaters) diet, and the SunCoast diet.
http://www.glidercentral.net/links/pages/Glider_Care___Information/Diet___Nutrition/index.html

A glider-knowledgeable vet is also important to have.
http://www.glidercentral.net/links/pages/Vets_Database/index.html#
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 04:52 PM

We are in the process of introducing the BML diet. I am still getting all the ingredients. She is currently eating baby food, cottage cheese, yogurt and fruits. Can she eat blueberries. I am so afraid to give her something that she should not have. We have had her for about a week now and she seems to be adjusting to her cage. She has a wheel in her cage, some branches, a zippered pouch, a hammock, and some toys I ordered online that have bells. Her cage is about 3 feet high and w feet wide and deep.
Posted By: melek007

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 05:04 PM

Sounds good. You may want to take the cottage cheese from her diet though. Gliders don't handle cheese too well. Blueberries are fine. thumb
Here's a list of safe fruits and vegetables.
http://www.kryskritters.com/SafeFruitsVeggies.html
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 05:38 PM

What is your opinion on having just one glider? Most everything I have read says to have a pair. I would really like to work with just the one but want to do what is best for her. This is my son's pet and he thinks she should have a play mate. Also as far as the bonding process goes, will she bond to more than one person? Should I not handle her until she is bonded with him or is it ok for both of us to bond with her?
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 05:47 PM

Originally Posted By: Jill
What is your opinion on having just one glider? Most everything I have read says to have a pair. I would really like to work with just the one but want to do what is best for her. This is my son's pet and he thinks she should have a play mate. Also as far as the bonding process goes, will she bond to more than one person? Should I not handle her until she is bonded with him or is it ok for both of us to bond with her?


Gliders are colonized animals and do better in pairs. There are a handful of gliders that I have read that do fine being alone. However, as nature would have it, having a mate or partner helps with preventing loneliness and boredom. If you decided on a mate for her and you got a male I would suggest that you have him neutered first. Another female companion would be great too.

For the bonding process the primary caregiver is usually the one that the glider(s) will bond with the best. But if other members of the family are active with her she will accept them too.

Posted By: kthiessen

Re: Help with Handling - 01/02/08 07:30 PM

Hi & Welcome to GliderCENTRAL!
Posted By: melek007

Re: Help with Handling - 01/03/08 08:36 PM

I strongly believe that gliders should be kept in at least pairs. This is from personal experience and from what others have said. Also, in the wild they live in colonies. It would be very odd for a glider to be solo.
Gliders have such big hearts, and with consistency from you, will accept you into the colony. The only thing that hinders bonding is you not spending enough time with them.


Into the Bonding Pit - http://www.sugargliders.org/modules.php?...r=0&thold=0

Bonding With Your Glider - http://www.freewebs.com/critterkisses/bonding.htm


Introducing 2 Gliders - http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/tips/intros.html

How do I go about introducing new sugar gliders? - http://www.sugar-gliders.com/glidervet-5.htm#intro
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help with Handling - 01/04/08 10:50 PM

Another glider will make yours alot happier
Posted By: tammyangel

Re: Help with Handling - 01/04/08 10:55 PM

Welcome to gc and sounds like your doing a good job but I would suggest getting a cage mate too.I have fed mine cottage cheese on occasion not as a big thing in their diet without any problems what so ever but only as a treat.And it will take a little time to get her to bond with you so be patient.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help with Handling - 01/07/08 12:04 AM

When I first got my two, I sometimes wished I only had one, but I stand true to what everyone else has said. Having two is a lot better on your suggie and you. While spending mucho time with your glider is great, it is really nice to have someone to play with at night when mommy is fast asleep. Single gliders require so much time and attention and then still some have the need for a friend.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help with Handling - 01/07/08 12:11 AM

Welcome to GC wave I have also found my gliders to be much happier with a buddy. Our wildest little guy mellowed out quite a bit when we got him a more well-adjusted, relaxed girlfriend smile What you are describing is not abnormal at all; your glider is just new and frightened. Having another glider buddy can sometimes help relax your furbutt even more though.
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