In Reply to: In the long run posted by K- on July 31, 2000 at 12:46:17:

: It does harm joeys. This is where you're wrong. You know in humans breastfeeding babies is better than bottlefeeding. Do you know why? There are antibodies and protiens(among other things) in the mothers milk(in all animals) that help the animal/human survive in life. Im sure there are other human moms here who can also explain further being there is even more to it that I dont know. Antibodies the mother has passes onto the baby and it helps protect it from illnesses and the protiens found STRICTLY in the mothers milk help the baby grow properly. There is a reason nature intends babies to still nurse until they learn to eat on their own. They havent grown enough to not need that extra support of the mothers milk. Not only that, but did you know that not letting the mother and father wean their joey increases the chance of it becoming a picky eater? Here's the logic- human "mom" and a gliders natural mom are totally different. Being accepted as surrigate mom by the joey means nothing. Only the mom and dad glider can teach the baby what is good to eat and what is not. If the parents dont do that and you just try feeding the joey what you want it to eat, how in the world are you able to "talk" to it in glider language and tell it that food is safe to eat? Babies emulate their parents, it doesnt work that way if you eat some fruit and try to show the joey how to do that. LOL Sounds silly doesnt it? That joey isnt gonna see you eating it and then automatically know its safe. Some things come natural to it, some dont. Already just the food they eat isnt instinct to them, it increases the chance of that glider being a picky eater because of what its sponge-like brain soaked up at that sensitive young age. Are you getting this yet? Imprinting and all that bullsh*t about handfeeding at the earliest age possible is a major load of cow pie. All they need is patience, time, and love. If you're having problems finding people who cant give a joey patience, time, and love that is your problem, not the joeys. The joey should not be made to suffer.
: No matter what you say about gloves- sorry, I would never use gloves. I tamed a 7 year old female, retired breeder from this evil woman. This glider bit me so badly because she was kept in a tiny cage and made to breed her entire life. She was not handled, but feared. I fell in love with this glider and made a big stink about having to give it back. Of course, the agreement was just to handle this girl and I had to give her back. *sigh*

hello...i agree with the others, Kay......I've had many animals in my lifetime...and only one sugar glider but i do know that when you have kittens and puppies youleave them with the mom until they are weaned...because they need the mothers milk...and so what babies survive in the wild...it's only because they have to...ONLY then are the babies away from the moms...i just cant think this would make a better glider...you can't force love...the glider will come to you on it's own if you're patient and show love...mine is the most trusting little thing i've ever seen...she just lays in my hand or pocket and watches me and cuddles...this is in a way...ruthless and not in the glider's best interest needless to say...this does NOT make the glider a better pet...respect is learned on both parts...as well as love and it will come naturally if you allow it...i certainly don't agree with your tactics...i'm also a nurse and yes i realize the importance of the mother's milk for the babies...why not let the mom do what shes suppose to do and stop interfering until it's time...

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