I am actually from Louisville but I live right outside of Lexington currently! :)
You’ll have to forgive me, as it’s the end of the semester and it has been CRAZY.
Every glider is different. Every glider bonds differently. Your past gliders may have been much tamer, but that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your current gliders. You must be patient! They may have been abused, may have wilder genetics (if that’s possible, haha), or maybe they are inbred.
I suggest a bonding tent if you don’t already have one. Take them into the tent via pouch with the lights low or off (you can use a blue/red bulb so you can see them) and allow them to get out on their own. They may not decide to get out for a while. That is okay. Also, give them treats EVERY TIME you encounter them. EVERY TIME. They will associate you with positive feelings if you feed them yummy things:) Carry them EVERYWHERE possible in a bonding pouch so they get used to your presence but make sure you pay attention to any ques they may give you (hunger, thirst, potty time, stress). You can take small squares of fleece and carry them in your shirt/pocket/jeans whatever in order to get it to smell like you to get them used to your smell. It’s a bunch of little things that will help you if you use them all together.
Honestly, we’ve had Maddie for over a year and she is just now getting approachable. Gliders take their time. They don’t want to be with us; they want to be wild and outside (with the few exceptions). Maddie was ALWAYS wild. She lived with a large colony (10+) and never had any human contact. She bites harder than any other glider I’ve ever encounter and she crabs at the slightest disturbance. It’s just who she is. Pascal has been handled by humans since day 2 (or something) so he’s loving and rarely bites.
I hope this helps, but honestly, only time is going to help! It’s only been six months. That’s not too long in glider time;) I’m sure you’ll get there with a little hard work. More experience glider owners may have more insight at glidercentral.net if you would like to post your story there!
Happy gliding:)
Pascal does this, and Emma did it too. I think they are just dreaming, kinda like we do:) I’ve never heard of it being a reason to worry! It may just be an involuntary response to their muscles relaxing. Totally normal, to my knowledge!
Yes, that is true. Their teeth are made for breaking away the bark to get to the sap in trees (which is why they have such freakishly long tongues). And yes, I’ve been bit. But usually they give me a warning bite that is more of a nibble that says “HEY I DON’T LIKE THAT” and I stop what I’m doing (if it’s not something that needs to be done, like taking them away from human food! haha). I’ve been seriously bit twice and it HURTS just like getting bit by a dog does, except it’s smaller. If you respect the animal though, it will respect you! Pooka will bite me to groom me and it’s really just a mouth hug. I get bit like that all the time. Emma bit me once and it bruised me. I was terrified of her for weeks. Biting is Maddie’s signature move. She does it to say hello, goodbye, and everything in between. The intensity, trauma, and damage of a glider bite always depends on the situation and the glider. I hope that helps!
I honestly don’t think there is a difference between males and females. They’re all just as loving if you treat them right! I think the same goes for gliders of different ages. It’s definitely easier to bond with joeys but I think it is more rewarding to bond with older gliders that need a home (and many people aren’t willing to spend the time on older gliders). If you’re willing to spend the time on them, I always suggest taking in an older pair that have been together. Good luck!
Here’s a breakdown from glidernursery.webs.com!
So, you’ve decided that you’re going to get a pair of gliders. Let’s take a look at the average amount of money you will need to get started. Keep in mind, these are general figures, you can get cheaper, and you can definitely spend a lot more.
2 standard grey gliders, pet only, $200 each - $400
1 Large cage - $150
1 Wheel - $50
3 Cage sets $30 each - $90
Toys - $50
Food - $30
Wellness Exam - $50
With the minimum requirements listed above, you need approximately $800 just to get started with your first pair of sugar gliders. If you purchase a well-made cage, it will last you a very long time. Cheaper cages will need to be replaced as they start to rust or bars break loose. Cage sets and toys are an ongoing expense as they will wear out, regardless of how well they are made. Food is an ongoing expense as you will need to replenish it on a regular basis.
Please keep in mind this is not an inclusive list of what is needed when owning a sugar glider. It is highly recommended to have an emergency medical kit, an emergency vet fund (before the need arises) extra cage sets, bonding pouches, and extra toys, among other things.
I think this is a pretty good starting list as long as you remember that it’s going to cost more or less depending on your choices! Sugar gliders are very expensive animals and you can’t cut corners on their care if you want them to be happy and healthy. You just really want to make sure you’re getting toys, cage sets, and a wheel to keep them happy, entertain, and engaged. The food will have to be renewed, obviously. Treats are an expense as well an can cost anywhere from $10-$40 depending on what you want. And you’ll probably want a bonding pouch ($20) and a tent ($40) to get the bonding process started. I can’t think of anything specific right now, but it’s all about personal preference! Once you get them, you’ll start realizing the kinds of extras you want. I hope this helps!
Hi! I’m guessing that would be today, haha. Idk what is going on with tumblr lately but it hasn’t been telling me about my messages! That sounds like a good sized cage BUT make sure it isn’t rusted really badly! Since you’ve got the cage down, here’s some of my tips:
- My first tip is patience. Bonding takes forever, and I suggest you browse through this tag to get some more tips on bonding. Tents are awesome, seriously. And yes, it may take months before you see any improvement.
- DIET IS SO SO IMPORTANT. It really should be number one but I know bonding is usually most important to a new owner. You need a good diet! Don’t just throw something together! PELLETS ARE EVIL IN MY HONEST OPINION. Apparently soft pellets are okay, which I believe (don’t quote me) are part of the Suncoast diet. I just don’t trust pellets (any pellet for my little ones). I always suggest people try BML or HPW (Complete or Plus). You can get free samples of the HPW variations on that site by paying for shipping, and BML can usually be made after a trip to the grocery store and the local pet store. Your glider may not like them. My gliders hate BML but love HPW Complete (and kinda like Plus). Every glider is different.
- Don’t forget the veggies and insects. Gliders are insectivores. The love mealworms but they aren’t very nutritious. They mostly brush their teeth. Still, the protein is important. My gliders get 5 mealworms a day a piece.
- Give your gliders treats every time you open their pouch to help them feel more at ease with you.
- Keep them at a good temp, probably around 65-75 degrees, and away from drafts. We keep a heater on in their room at night to keep them from getting too cold.
- Make sure you have someone to take care of them when you travel or have travel equipment to take them with you. We have a travel cage but we also have a care sheet for emergencies that details their needs in case something happens to us.
- Neuter any intact males. In my opinion, first time owners should not be breeding gliders until they are much more experienced (at least a year).
- Make sure your glider is constantly engaged, so move things around and spend plenty of time with them. Wood toys smell bad and aren’t really recommended. I don’t trust the dyes either.
- Make sure they have a wheel! I use Wodent Wheels, but there are many options. Avoid hamster wheels though because they can be dangerous.
- Clean, fresh water is sooo important!
- Make sure your cage set is glider safe, which usually means fleece without any little strings and minimal visible seams.
- Use a blue or red light to view your gliders at night without bothering them. Nightlights can keep them from excessively barking, but you shouldn’t try to discourage barking if you can avoid it. Barking is normal and healthy.
- Learn the glider sounds and what they mean. They’re pretty nifty:)
- We use a kitchen to reduce mess and I think my gliders personally like their food being up high and on a flat surface.
- Avoid spraying chemicals in the room with your gliders (like perfume and cleaners) as they are very sensitive. Nonstick cookware emits toxic gases so keep them away from the kitchen.
I’m sure there’s more so I’ll add on if I can think of anything else! Good luck, happy gliding, and let me know if you need any more help!
Forgive me, but I don’t understand your entire message.
This is what I’m thinking from what I understand though. I’m thinking your glider was depressed. Gliders should NOT be housed alone. They need other gliders and our attention is NOT enough for them, especially for situations like this one where the owner is out of town. He probably overgroomed himself out of sadness, loneliness, and/or boredom.
I STRONGLYsuggest getting him a friend. I thought the whole “gliders need to be in pairs!” thing was completely false when I got my first glider. “I spend plenty of time with her!” I said all the time. But when we adopted another glider, she became so much more lively, active, starting eating better, her coat looked shinier, she was better groomed, and her schedule was regulated. A good diet helped with this too, but it can’t explain her attitude. Please please please think about finding a second glider. Think about how you would feel in a cave alone with bears! They don’t speak your language, they don’t eat your food, and they have an entirely different physiological system going on inside of them. You would want a friend too!
Keep me updated and happy gliding! :)
PS: Take him to a vet though to get a real diagnosis! I forgot to type that even though that was my other main suggestion, haha.
The best thing is to spend lots of time with them, carry them in a bonding pouch, and tent time! Each glider is different so that’s nothing to be alarmed about. Just make sure you’re still paying plenty attention to the not-as-nice one too! You can browse this tag for more specifics. My one biggest suggestion though is really a tent. Tent time has done wonders for Maddie’s bonding, and she’s like your “stubborn” glider:)
You have to bond to them first! They won’t stay in your hand unless you bond with them. Emma loved sleeping in my husband’s hand. It was warm and she felt safe with us. So first off, I would just bond! Bonding is a long process so it may take a year for a glider to really trust you enough. They don’t like to be held; they like to hold you. We have forced Maddie to stay in our hands before to calm her and to restrain her (when she has gotten away from us), and this is one way to go about it. But the best way is to let your glider play, get out its energy, and start to look for a place to lay down and sleep. Then you can hold them against your chest and eventually move toward them being in your hand alone, if you want. My hands are too small for that though;) I usually just let them sleep in my boobs, lmao. It’s all about patience, kindness, and time!
