I have had Ladybug now for a little over a week. I've switched blankies and will swap pouches next week. But, our vet said since Airbud has been in for an exam and tests, it is fine to start intros now because he knows the breeder, etc. and trusts that her gliders are all healthy. So I have been getting them out in the tent together and I'm just wondering what's normal behavior.

So far no balling up and fighting but Airbud is grabbing on to her and she is giving him the psssst sound. He wont leave her alone...he's grooming, grabbing, looks like even nibbling on her. She seems annoyed with him but she isn't striking back.

i dont really know . but it seems normal if he is intact.

(not nuetered)it seems to me he is trying to impress her to get ready to mate. if he is nuetered, or she is, idk.

Sounds like he might be trying to mate with her. Neutered or intact they will mate. Is he neutered? If not are you getting him neutered?

She is making that noise because she doesn't want him to mess with her. Be careful he doesn't hurt her. Many female gliders have gotten mating wounds on there necks. Are they close to the same size? Can she defend herself from him? if she is to small he may hurt her.

What are their ages and how close to the same size are they?

Females cant be spayed. Its to dangerous of an operation for them. Thats why we always talk about the males being neutered.

It could be that she is in heat which is why he is following her around like that. Or he is just curious about her.

Im sorry to disagree with your vet, but health reasons are not the only thing to consider when doing introductions. You need to let the new glider become acclimated to their new surrounding. You need to get them used to your scent. She may be doing the psssst sound to him because getting a new home and owner and now meeting a new glider is just to much for her. She needs time to settle in.

He is neutered. She is bigger than he is. They are in separate cages on opposite sides of the same room. She was oop April of this year and he is about 4 months old. I think he is very curious of her because he was so young when I got him; I think he's just overly excited to see another one like him. He is very eager, curious and outgoing by nature. She is a lot calmer than him.

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I have had Ladybug now for a little over a week. I've switched blankies and will swap pouches next week. But, our vet said since Airbud has been in for an exam and tests, it is fine to start intros now because he knows the breeder, etc. and trusts that her gliders are all healthy.

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I'm confused. Did you take Ladybug to the vet for wellness exam before introducing them? Because if not.. then no offense to your vet but I'd still be wanting a wellness exam.. just in case you know? Just because your vet knows the person doesn't mean Ladybug is automatically healthy. If this is not the case then please forgive me.

All of the above sounds right to me. As long as they are close to the same size it really all sounds normal. Thank goodness he is neutered.

The quarantine thing is really important and should be done the proper way though. Like Rita said, their are many resons to take it slow and easy. Stress is a big one, Illnesses that they could give to each other. They BOTH need to checked by the VET and then kept apart for 30 days until after a second Vet check is done.

There was a lady here who did those things and then months later found out that her newest glider really was sick I think with some worms. This did not show up until months later.

It really is in the best interest to do things this way. Then begin intro's and tent time and swapping stuff.

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Originally posted by Rita

Im sorry to disagree with your vet, but health reasons are not the only thing to consider when doing introductions. You need to let the new glider become acclimated to their new surrounding. You need to get them used to your scent. She may be doing the psssst sound to him because getting a new home and owner and now meeting a new glider is just to much for her. She needs time to settle in.

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This reason for the quarantine is probably just as important as the health issue reason. Put off the introductions for a while and work on bonding with her alone. Let her adjust to one thing at a time.

I do agree with what the others have said, although I had to skip the quar. period for other reasons with my two girls. Wavern, my lone glider, chased around Vestral, my new glider, holding onto her with her paws (loosely) and was very intent on grooming her. Wave was a bit larger than Vestra, but Vestral could easily defend herself. Vestral seemed more annoyed than anything, but they soon settled down. That psst sound through the nose I hear when one needs there personal space. There is no smacking or biting, and it is usually enough to have the other one step just a bit away.

me too

Heather: It sounds to me like they are entertaining thoughts of *LOVE*! LOL! Has Airbud been neutered for awhile now? I ask because I know that boys can remain fertile for about a month after neutering.

lol!!

It could be two things: (or more, this is just my guess! )

1. Air Bud has a family in mind... (he may not realize he can't have a family.) Just as mollysmom said, they can still be "fertile" for about a month or so, though.

2. Air Bud wants to be the king of the cage. He's determined to out rule Lady-bug!

Use your detective skills to find out!

Many folks overlook the other (non-health) benefits of the 30 day quarantine.

In addition to reducing any transmission of parasites etc, the first 30 days in your home you can use to get to know the new glider as an individual. It sounds silly, but gliders each have a unique personality. During the quarantine you can learn a lot about your new glider.

Is he/she shy with you or bold and curious when with you? Once the two gliders are together, often one will be the leader and it is harder to observe them each individually

Does he/she have favorite foods or specific food dislikes? When you put food in the cage each night and find they only eat half of the broccoli - is it because one refuses it? or did both eat less than usual?

When you offer cut up fruit/veggies in one night and blenderized another - if the gliders are separate you can learn if he/she likes only fruits & veggies that can be picked up or if the mixtures are preferred.

If you use mixed veggies - does one glider eat ONLY corn and nothing else? If you give it to both gliders and you have some left in the morning - how do you know if it is one or both gliders not eating part of the mix.

Use the 30 day quarantine to try a variety of foods and textures with your new glider and really learn what his/her preferences are. It is tough to figure this out with 2 or more gliders in the cage.

You can also observe their play habits. Does the new glider know how to use the wheel? Are small toys a favorite or ignored? What is their reaction to a foraging toy? Is one type of pouch preferred over another type? (top opening vs front hole type) Do they prefer a tunnel to a pouch?

Get to know each glider before introducing him/her to a cage mate or colony.

Candy:
That's very true! Many people who skip quarintine miss out on this. (as do the people who buy glider's that are already bonded!) My glider's actually have their own bowl, and get VERY upset if the other eats from their bowl! (it makes it easy to see what eats what, and since one is a little bit, "chubbier" than the other it works to "diet" him as well.)