The breeder that my two girls are coming from told me that they are pouch protective. Sebastian is so laid back that I haven't had any experience with this behavior. Is this something that can be overcome once they trust me and their surroundings, or do most protective suggies remain that way?

You can train them out of it by using a pouch that is more open than a regular "pocket" style pouch. The theory is they are pouch protective as an instinctive thing, in the wild they would hear a noise outside their burrow and deem it as a threat, then crab in defense of their home.

In their cage, they can crab at anything: at you opening the cage, walking by, at another glider jumping on the outside of the pouch...basically any noise they hear but don't see can provoke the pouch crabbing. Some gliders get really into it and strike or lunge at the outside of the pouch as well. Personally, I don't consider it pouch protective if it's just crabbing..only if it's also accompanied by the cobra lunging in a glider that wouldn't do that outside the pouch.

If you use a parachute pouch (basically a square hammock) or a low profile bucket pouch, a tiered hammock, or any "open environment" pouch, something they can pop their heads up and see out of easily, it should reduce the behaviour. After a while, they'll learn there is no threat and once they settle down you can switch back to regular pouches.

Having said all that, though, i do think the term "pouch protective" has almost become a trend lately, with owners thinking any crabbing in the pouch needs to be treated. Some gliders are just crabby, some are just grumpy when woken or disturbed while in their pouch, and some just feel the need to be the cage alarm system. Only you can decide if the behaviour is dysfunctional enough to warrant trying a different pouch style to tame it.

Thank you. That was a very insightful reply. I don't mind crabbing as long as it's just that. I just don't want Sebastian to get attacked if he's trying to crawl in with them (assuming introductions go well). The breeder says it's mainly the momma and she thinks the daughter is just parroting. I'll have to wait and see how bad it is.

I get your concern, for sure! My one girl can get pretty crabby during certain times of the month; she'll even crab at her cage mates as they jump onto the pouch to climb in. She'll crab up a storm, but generally once they pop their head in the pouch and she sees it's a friend, she shuts up really quick :) It's generally just posturing. Even if mom is the most pouch protective glider out there, she isn't trying to defend the pouch against a cage mate (provided intros go well and all that)!

I'd agree also that she's probably "worse" right now since she's at the breeders house, with a lot of unfamiliar glider scents around. Hearing other gliders, smelling unfamiliar gliders and intact males probably puts her on edge and makes her feel she needs to defend her territory and her baby still. I wouldn't be surprised at all if she mellows out in a calmer environment.