GliderCENTRAL

Advice on my rescue's behavior

Posted By: Penelopesmom

Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 03:52 PM

Hi All,
I just rescued a male glider from a bad situation. I was told he was around 10 months but I'm not sure. He does have his bald spot and is bigger than my 9 month old female (but she is a little on the small side). He was on a horrible diet of peanuts and apples only. He looks like he sm or over grooms because he had a scab on both his head and chest. His chest was also yellow. I took him to the vet right away but they did not seem very knowledgable about the root cause. He also chews everything so I have been careful about what goes into his cage. I think he may be acting out because he's lonely, which brings me to my question. If it is sm, would it be wise to have him neutered? I have two females and would like to house them all together. He's bonding very well and sticks to me most of the time although I've only had him a few days. I'm assuming this means he must have been socialized well. He is very sweet but after a few licks he bites me-hard! I make an attt noise to distract and remove him but he keeps doing it. Any suggestions on making him stop? Lastly, he's my first male so I'm not sure how normal this is but he rubs his chest all over like crazy whenever my oldest female gets anywhere near him. And he doesn't seem to like my younger female although he's only met the girls through cage bars. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Posted By: yiyo

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 04:01 PM

Was he housed with other gliders previously or alone? I'm guessing no, because if he was sm'ing and chews on everything he was probably very bored. So you'll want to spend as much time with him until you're able to put him with your other gliders.

So, first and foremost, if you don't have lineage on him, then you'll definitely want to get him neutered. This may help a little bit with the agressive behavior as well. And him rubbing his chest is totally normal. It's just his way of marking his territory.

Also, make sure to follow proper introduction methods. It sounds like quarantine was already broken, so go ahead and start pouch/toy swapping. By doing this they'll get used to each others scents and when you do the final introduction, they'll already be familiar with each others scents and less likely to fight. After you've done that for a number of days, you can introduce them in a neutral area (ie: bathroom, tent, etc).

In the interim, while swapping their items, I'd go ahead and have him neutered so that you don't have to worry about them breeding. Then he'll also have time to heal while you're still swapping items.
Posted By: Penelopesmom

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 04:17 PM

He was alone. They reportedly only had him for 1 month and prior to that he was with his parents. I will go ahead and set the neuter up because I definately don't want to breed. I'm just waiting for a response about ordering an e-jacket. Thank you so much for the advice and the quick response. One more question-my girls are 6 and 9 months. From my understanding even if he's neutered he may try to mate with them. Are they too young to be housed with a mature male?
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 04:26 PM

If they are all about the same size, it will be fine to have them together. (after he is neutered)
Posted By: Penelopesmom

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 04:41 PM

Thanks a lot:-)
Posted By: yiyo

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 06:23 PM

Looks like you're on your way to having yourself a trio smile
Posted By: DCMuffin

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 05/31/12 10:28 PM

Originally Posted By: Penelopesmom
Hi All,
I just rescued a male glider from a bad situation. I was told he was around 10 months but I'm not sure. He does have his bald spot and is bigger than my 9 month old female (but she is a little on the small side). He was on a horrible diet of peanuts and apples only. He looks like he sm or over grooms because he had a scab on both his head and chest. His chest was also yellow. I took him to the vet right away but they did not seem very knowledgable about the root cause. He also chews everything so I have been careful about what goes into his cage. I think he may be acting out because he's lonely, which brings me to my question. If it is sm, would it be wise to have him neutered? I have two females and would like to house them all together. He's bonding very well and sticks to me most of the time although I've only had him a few days. I'm assuming this means he must have been socialized well. He is very sweet but after a few licks he bites me-hard! I make an attt noise to distract and remove him but he keeps doing it. Any suggestions on making him stop? Lastly, he's my first male so I'm not sure how normal this is but he rubs his chest all over like crazy whenever my oldest female gets anywhere near him. And he doesn't seem to like my younger female although he's only met the girls through cage bars. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.


Just wanted to touch on a couple of things. You mentioned that he had scabs on his head and chest and that his chest is yellow. Given the location, it doesn't sound like overgrooming to me, it sounds like he just has some over-active scent glands. Are you able to take a damp, warm cloth or even a q-tip and gently wipe the "scabs" off? The yellow is probably just from marking (among other things).

If he's biting, he's giving you a sign right before he is going to do it. Since he's very new, the two of you aren't used to one another so start watching him. He may twitch his ears, turn his head, twitch his nose, something - right before he does so. That said, instead of just letting him lick you right now as much as he wants, put some yogurt or even honey on your finger. Let him lick three times, then take your hand away, put a bit more on your finger, let him lick three times, take it away and reload again.

He's probably chewing because he's bored. Give him lots of toys and things to chew on. If you can get your hands on some safe branches (or even the apple branches from Petsmart or Petco), that would be great. Little plastic toys for him to carry around and chew on are great, as well.
Posted By: Penelopesmom

Re: Advice on my rescue's behavior - 06/08/12 07:16 PM

Thanks for the advice. The vet removed the scabs and I've just been keeping an eye on the spots. His hair seems to be filling in on his head and he doesnt seem quite as yellow. He is scheduled to be neutered on Tuesday so soon lonleiness wont be an issue. Thankfully the chomping has practically stopped. It's down to an occassional bite, but usually at the worst times. For example I was having a conversation at work when he climbed down to my belly button and bit me twice. I yelled and startled the person I was talking to. I have to admit it was funny though. I didnt realize Petco sold apple branches. I will check them out today.
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