I bought 2 sugar gliders about 2 weeks ago. They're not mean, but they're by no means tame, either. They were being kept by a guy who was going to have them breed, so he kept them separate from his pet gliders, and in much worse conditions. We realized their cage was very filthy after we left, and they're older than the "young" we were told. The boy is 2, and the girl is 1 1/2. We were told they were "semi tame" but that's totally not the case. I don't believe these gliders have been handled at all.
Anyway, they're pretty much unhandleable, and I can't even grab them to put them in a pouch. I've bought them all new accessories and have been feeding them much better, but they keep peeing on their food and their habitats. I know they normally do this, but is it instantaneous all the time? They're not mean, but they seem even terrified if I pet them.
I guess I'm looking for advice and tips on how to get these gliders to calm down!
Thanks
2006-10-15 14:48:21 · 9 answers · asked by Christina 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Well first
Yeah to you for rescuing the little buggers!!! I would also report the guy who had them...
You know that you shoud not let them go in the wild if you decide you dont want th em... find a zoo or rescue or shelter...
Now...
These poor things have obvioulsy never known a kind human or human affection.. and you have only had them 2 weeks...
They need more time to adjust.. I think it w ould help to give them more time.. and not push too hard..
Keep everything nie and clean and fresh for them and show th em you care that way...
Talk nicely to them ,,maybe sit by or close to their habitats etc.. but dont try to grab them.. just let htem get used to having you around and let them see you mean no harm
In captivity,, gliders make great pets.. IF treated well from the beginning.. This is not the case with your guys it would seem.
THey usually Bond with the owner at a young age as well.
You should know that they can also die if kept captive and alone because htey really need company.
Gliders do become bonded and tame but really as a rule dont care to be held.
You can try nabbing them befor ethey wake up and see if they will sleep curled up in a pouch or your hands...
Thing is.. because they have each other they are less likely to bond to you and because they are older... but to separate them now would not be the best either...
Its a tough road youve got to go with them.
I would just be patient and love them and in time they will realize you are a good person and warm up I think..
Take a look at the Habitat as well.. Can you manage to make them one large enough they can hop and fly a bit?
Make something tall enough you can put some wood or branches across it and add thier current toys etc...?
Give them more room... let themn get used to having a nice place to live.
They are never going to be a lap pet though.. its not thier nature.
To everyone out here who feels gliders should not be pets... Well Ferrets, Rabbits etc,, were all originally wild... Gliders who were NOT removed from the wild and were bred domestically are no different than any other domestic bred pet.
Good Luck
Wismom
2006-10-15 17:20:59 · answer #1 · answered by Wismom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Calm down Patty, jeez - Sugar Gliders are a very common exotic that adapt very well to a captive environment. Pharfly1 is really right on track with the handling tips - Here is a link to the complete bonding method that has REALLY helped me - http://www.sugargliderinfo.com/Bonding/
Also, I would highly recommend you go to www.sugarglider.net . It is a VERY helpful forum with knowledgable people. I have 4 sugar gliders - every single time I purchased a new baby I was told they were very tame and handled alot, but they've all been terrified of me and it has taken months of repitition and patients to help them realize I'm not so bad... And keep in mind they have personalities much like people in that they are all very different. One may bond to you within a week, another may take a year.
Things to buy:
A button up long sleeve Tshirt with a pocket for bonding
A pouch with no closure at the top (lap pouch)
Licky treats (applesauce, yogurt, ect)
a small kids tent - got one at Target for $20 - for playtime with mom/dad
Dont try to handle them much at night unless you are in the tent with them, and let them come to you. Night time is play time and they do not like to be confined. During the day, talk to them while they sleep in their pouch, and put a scap of fleece in their pouch with your scent (I wore one in my bra for 2 days).
As for the urinating in their food, that's definitely not healthy... Are you placing it at the bottom of the cage? That's the only place I have for my food dish, so I had to get a critter igloo to put over it. This has completely solved that problem.
I hope I helped, and feel free to email me @ jhessail1@yahoo.com. I'm not the most educated, but I'm online all the time and happy to help when I can.
2006-10-15 17:08:47 · answer #2 · answered by myaddictiontofire 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All they really need is time. Try leaving just the bonding pouch in their cage with your scent on it, and when they get in it to sleep, you can just zip it up without having to put them in it. It's less stressful for them as well! Then go for a few days with just carrying them around like that, and after a few days, you can unzip the bag in an enclosed and secure room and let them come out and explore. They will eventually climb on you and of course you should have meal worms or treats handy to suck up a little :) They just need to trust you and understand that you won't neglect them like their old owners did. Soon, they will stop crabbing when you put your hand in the cage to get the food bowl and stuff, and eventually they will run to the cage door to greet you when they hear you coming!! Please feel free to ask me any other questions! I love talking about these little guys! We have 10 ourselves.
cincysugarglider@yahoo.com
2006-10-16 08:18:41 · answer #3 · answered by Christy K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't sugar gliders found in the rain forests of South America and don't you think if you can't and don't know how to handle these little animals, that are now prone to our horrible germs, that you should get in touch with a zoo and put these little animals back in an environment where they will have handlers that can properly take care of them? I'm sorry but we are talking exotic pets here and that's just wrong . How would you like for someone to take you out of your environment? Calm down, these are little wild animals out of their relm how would you act? I don't think you would handle that so well, either, do you? Sorry but you asked.
2006-10-15 15:23:41 · answer #4 · answered by Patty T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Anything with a pulse rate that sounds like a purr is very high strung, don't expect lap gliders. They like to be hiden under the collar of a shirt or in a shirt sleave. I knew a lady who fostered one in the top of her bra cup. It was nearly inseperable from her and they seemed to do well together. Just remember the squirel from IceAge Two, need I say more. The urinating is a address
label for their new home. It will slow down.
.
2006-10-15 14:59:17 · answer #5 · answered by littlescreechowl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well okay then. Sugar Gliders are really one of those animals that shouldn't live in captivity.
2016-03-28 10:52:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off I would keep my hands off them until they are use to you. Trying to catch them will just stress them more. Try partly covering the cage to give them privacy and after a few weeks try to offer them treats from your hand. Sit by the cage put the treats in your hand and sit paitenly and limp until they eat. This may take a long time, but you will see results! I have tamed a abused chinchilla this way.
2006-10-15 15:23:35 · answer #7 · answered by pharfly1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is a sugar glider? Never heard of this, is it a type of bird? A bat? A flying squirrel?
2006-10-15 14:54:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
They are wild animals and that is where they need to be. Back where they belong.
2006-10-15 14:56:28 · answer #9 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋