Message:
Subject: Re: You have succeded...I give up, I really do/ Leaving gliders alone
Posted by Thomas on November 30, 1998 at 02:26:44:
In Reply to: You have succeded...I give up, I really do posted by JessRoo on November 26, 1998 at 11:12:59:
Hi everyone,
I just caught up on the thread that lead to this post. Ya gotta ask: "How did gliders ever survive without humans to take care of them?"
I have 5 very healthy, active gliders. They have spent up to 5 days alone. You just have to prepare for it. I don't want to encourage others to leave their pets alone, especially if they aren't at least in pairs, but it can be done.
1. Don't leave too much of the type of food that will spoil. They have to be able to eat it all before it does spoil.
2. Corn on the cob is good to leave. Only expose part of the kernels so it won't spoil. They will peel it as they eat it.
3. Put a good variety of food that won't spoil in the cage.
4. Overdo the different number of locations you can put the food. This also includes water. Don't put the water near the food, so they won't drop things into it.
5. Mine roam the room - which has been time-tested glider-safe...with 5, I don't worry about a lack of exercise or companionship. Also, since they are not limited to the cage, I'm not limited to places I can put the food and water.
6. Handfeed them right before you leave and as soon as you come back. Choose a food you cannot leave out for them and make sure they eat plenty. Use your suppliments the evening before you leave and the evening you return - same with insects.
7. I believe it is good to leave your pet alone for short lengths of time before a long absence. That way, they won't be stressed if you are not present for a little longer duration later on.
I could think of several more suggestions, but all you really need to do is spend some time predicting what each night will be like for the gliders. (This is also a reason I think multiple gliders have a much easier time being left without their human companion than a single glider) Five days is the limit for me.
-Thomas