Howdy everybody. Please chime in on this one to offer your suggestions.

The Genji Net Tent has been a popular tent to use for human interaction time with your sugar gliders. I have one and like it. But there are things I might change to make it even better for this purpose.

One thing I would like to see is 100% mesh all around while still maintaining the quick popup and down. Messing with solid rods is a pain in the butt. If you happen to have space to keep the tent up all the time, well then it's ok, but for those of use with limited room, the quick up and down is mandatory.

Other than that, I am curious what are your thoughts regarding door size, placement, materials, features, safety, height, and so on.

Does the tent need to be larger than the Genji? Taller? Does the floor need to be removable? What ya got?

And then finally, would you actually buy one of these?

I'm actually tempted to make a tent of sorts. Ya know the mesh laundry hampers? Like take them apart to a certain extent and then sew a few of them together. Not sure exactly, Just a thought. I'm thinking more mesh would be easier for the fuzzbutts to climb on.

This is kind of what I have in mind. A little larger than the Genji and 100% mesh with solid bottom. It seems that any mosquito type of tent is either bottomless or just too small and expensive.

I would call this a true small animal bonding tent.

I would like a tent with places to hang things. I've sewn loops onto my Genji tent (love it, by the way!) but it would be nice if there were loops already sewn in.

I would like a tent that's a little bit taller - because I have a back injury and sitting on the floor is very painful. Even on pillows. I need to bring a small chair into the tent.

However - as for bigger - that wouldn't be what I would call a bonding tent. More a play tent once they are bonded. The one you have pictured would be great for play time - lots of gliding room!

For bonding - I find the Genji too big. When an animal is learning to trust, I want to be able to reach them from any place I'm sitting in the tent. I want to be able to sit very still, and yet be close enough to them at any point in the tent that they are aware of my presence and have to more-or-less interact. Even if interaction means clinging in the corner and watching me. If I *can* reach them - they know that. So, if they sit in a small space with me, and I don't scare them or violate their space, they learn trust.

Yes - lots of mesh is ideal. And loops for hanging toys would be bonus! A canvas bottom - that didn't rustle when I moved or the glider's walked - would be great, too!

I love my Genji, but agree with Wintersong about having loops to hang things.

Terry - the mesh tent you have pictured is very cool and I would definitely buy it!

Kazko, what is the tent you have pictured?

My imagination. What does your show?

I don't like how it's hard to re colaps the genji tent!

quote:

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Originally posted by Kazko

My imagination. What does your show?

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It is difficult - and I hate to admit that I just fold mine in half and put it under the bed. Ive never been able to figure out how to fold it and Ive watched the darn video many times.

Other than that - its a really great tent!

I agree on loops for hanging things. I haven't been able to figure out how to hang anything - I don't sew.

Also a bottom that doesn't make as much noise and is removeable for washing would be great. Mine are always running under the blanket and I am afraid I will smush them by accident!

More mesh would be good too, mine are always trying to get higher and hang on the mesh with one leg while the other claws away at the non mesh part frantically. While it is amusing to watch I am sure it isn't so amusing for them!

The double doors are good for set up of toys, cleaning etc. And are easy to just unzip a small portion to fit yourself through if for some reason you need to exit and re-enter while they are playing.

Folding the Genji:

Ok - here goes.

with the Genji standing up - you stand on one of the ends. Either end. So the front and back are to your left and right.

Put your toes right on the base of that end. Then - hug the entire tent towards you so that the opposite end is against you, and the tent is flat. You can poke parts of the front and back into this "sandwich."

Now, lay the tent flat. The side you were facing will be up, and the entire thing will be a mostly flat "sandwich."

Put your knees on the bottom edge, where your toes were. Lean over and pull the top point towards your knees. You are forming a kind of "tent tunnel" at this point. It will be tubular, and look kinda like a calone, if you know what that is!

now, take the two sides of the tube and pull them towards the center and down.

The tube will resist at first, and then will suddenly all collapse in on itself and form a flat circle. There is some twisting involved. If you just let it do what it wants to do, while kinda insisting that the sides come to the center and down, it will fold. You never have to force it. Just keep applying gentle pressure towards the center and down - and it will do it. If you have to use force - you are doing it wrong, and will break your tent!

The first time you do this, have someone read this out loud to you while you do it for yourself. It doesn't make sense reading, but will make sense when you actually do it.


It sounds very hard, and writes up MUCH longer than it takes. Once you get it, it really is about 3 seconds.

I gave up on folding it back up, it stays out permanently in the glider room.

I just got mine this week and I love it! As for those that put loops in/on it. Did you sew them to the mesh or the vinyl part? I put some safety pins through the fabric part at the top and hung stuff last night, but I am worried about too much weight making a hole in it.