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pvppycreep Posted - Jul 10 2018 : 08:40:22 PM
Hello everyone!
I recently bought two female sugar gliders from The Pet Glider. I researched them for a few years, and then finally picked out my two girls and brought them home. I've only had them for a few months. My only question is how bonded are they to me? I've heard a lot of things about bonding, but my gliders seem to behave differently. I could hold them from day one. In fact, on the car ride home Titania slept in my sleeve. I know you're supposed to let them adjust a while, but I only waited one day before playing with them.
Right now, they seem to like me, but I don't think they're bonded to me. They take treats from me, run all over me, let me pet them, and stuff like that. But they still get scared sometimes by sudden movements or when I walk into the room. They also hesitate before jumping onto me sometimes and either hide on me or run away when scared. Only Willow crabs at me, and it's only when she's woken up and only for a little bit. I was wondering if this was a good or bad sign, and if I should just continue what I'm doing or try something different.
Right now, I take them out in their pouch or in a pocket, etc. and play with them at night. I've tried playing with them in my bathtub, but they always get really freaked out and just sit on me. I'm considering getting a tent. I also sometimes put a shirt on their cage, so they can smell me. For treats, I give them dried fruit and white chocolate chips. I feed them TPG diet and give them the pellet food that goes along with it. They have a big Brisbane cage, a few toys, a raptor wheel, and a few cage sets I switch out. I plan on getting meal worms, more toys, another cage set, and more treats when I visit their breeder to get their nails clipped. Also if you're going to mention something about bugs making suggies stink, I really couldn't care either way lol. If you have any suggestions to help with bonding or just some cool ideas or the like, I'd love to hear them. Thank you!
Also, I forgot to mention. I have two gliders, both females. Titania is a white face blonde and Willow is a black beauty. |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
pvppycreep Posted - Jul 11 2018 : 03:07:55 PM
Thank you so much!
I'm only 14, but the sugar gliders are my pets, and therefore, my responsibility. I'm always looking to try something new or improve something. I've found the internet to be quite a great source. My biggest fear has always been that I'll ruin my relationship with my gliders. But from what you said, it sounds like we're on the right track.
I'm going to stop by TPG this weekend and buy them some new toys and lots of treats to spoil them with. I also hope to get a bonding scarf (I've always wanted one since before I got my gliders) and a good tent like you said.^^ |
Leela Posted - Jul 11 2018 : 08:51:26 AM
The word "bonded" has about a million different definitions when it comes to gliders. No one can tell you how bonded they are really, but you, and that depends on what your definition of "bonded" is or what you think "bonded" looks like.
I have 9 gliders right now, they are all "bonded" to be me to some degree, the depth is different for each glider, the level is different for each glider. I have a different relationship with each glider, so they "bond" individually at different speeds and depth.
I have some that I can hold, and some that don't like being held, for me, I don't feel that is a gauge for how bonded the glider is, I feel it's an individual preference that the glider has.
I don't think there is a stopping point where a glider is fully bonded. Bonds continue to grow for the lifespan of your relationship with that glider. I believe that it's constantly growing, evolving, expanding.
Prime example, I've had Lemmy for about 3 yrs now, he has never been a bra baby, he usually won't stay in my shirt very long, he comes out and sits on my shoulder until I'm close enough to the cage for him to return to it, again that doesn't mean he isn't bonded, it means he loves being in the cage more than out of it.
But this last year, we have had a medical issue with Lemmy, that's required me to give him medications and baths. Last week, after a bath and dry, He went right into my bra. I was stunned, so was his cage mate who was already in my bra lol she came out and looked at me like wtf is this all about!? Eventually she went back in and tried to find her spot. So I thought well that is weird.....
maybe it was a fluke? 3 days later, we repeat the same thing and again he went right into my bra. Both times he stayed there the entire day until it was feeding time at night which is highly unlike him.
Our relationship has grown, his trust in me has grown and my trust in him has grown. That was a big milestone for him and yeh it surprised me because it was such a huge change for him, one that I never expected from HIM after 3 years.
Even a very bonded glider can get scared at sudden noises, movement etc.. I would say your babies are still learning the rhythm of your house they will settle in and get used to your coming and going.
It sounds like you are one of the fortunate ones, that got gliders that are naturally mellow and accepting of the new human.
It could be because tpg has plenty of people handling and socializing their gliders, could be because you were local to your breeder and the trip to their new home was a stress free uneventful trip, it could be the line they come from is a mellow line of gliders, it could be that you are a calm confident person and the feel that from your energy. It could be all of those or something else entirely.... what ever the reason, it sounds like you are off to a great start!
The only major thing I would suggest, is a bonding bag, and tent time or bathroom time during the day. Night time, they are much more active and less interested in getting to know the human. That is their time to eat play nap.
I think you would find bathtub time more enjoyable during the day, and they would be more interested in exploring YOU rather than just being active in a bigger space.
I would put your shirt on top of the cage instead of inside it, because there is exposed stitching on shirts and it's safer. Or sleep with a piece of fleece for a few nights then put the fleece in the cage.
Personally I don't think feeding meal worms make them stink, if your feeding live ones. There are canned meal worms and they DO stink even in the can. I got a box of canned worms that came with 2 gliders I took in, they went right in the garbage after I opened one  those kind would probably make a glider smell more I don't see how they couldn't it was reallllly strong and gross lol.
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