Hello, I am new to sugar gliders. I bought a pair of neutered males. I just want to ask general advice on how to properly care them. I did my researxh before buying them, I just want to make sure I don't leave out any important info. I have had them for a week now. One of the gliders seems to be really gentle. However the other glider is trying to bite me and is defensive all the time. Any advice to stop this behavior? Also, any toys that are recommended for gliders?

Thank you in advance!

Usually one glider is more friendly and curious and the other is more timid. Give them time, he'll come around eventually :)

When you notice he's about to bite, make a sharp TSSST noise, it's suggie-speak for "stop that!" After a while, he will learn. In the beginning with new gliders, sometimes they like to test their boundaries and/or make sure you're not food.

I also find, with nippy gliders, it's best to not give hem the chance to bite. When you want to pick him up, offer him your closed fist to climb on instead of picking him up, let him sniff your knuckles instead of poking a finger in his face, don't put fingers in the pouch unless you're ready to lose them, etc (lol).

One of my gliders was quite nippy when I first got him (he was a rehome so I didn't know much on his history, but He played musical houses until he found his forever home with me) and he took a while to train him out of nipping. Now he only bites if I'm holding him when he doesn't want to be hold, like at nail clipping time.

Oh and make sure your hands don't smell like food, or that you use any fruit-scented soaps or lotions... That can encourage him to nibble to get a taste!

For toys, check out your thrift stores for plastic baby or toddler toys, floor toys and baby links make great sugar-safe toys. Just remove anything with batteries, or moving parts that could pinch tiny fingers or tails.

The dollar store is another great place to sugar shop, little baskets can be hung around the cage, plastic vines with no metal cores can be hung for climbing, pom poms make great ball pits, army men, plastic bracelets, any plastic children's trinket type toy is great or them to chew on. Monkey in a barrel, hang the monkeys for your gliders to knock down an carry around. After a while, you'll get an eye for anything that will make a good toy; they are very easy to spoil!

For free stuff, they like plastic drinking straws and milk jug rings. I've also made ball pits out of old milk jugs, just cut holes for them to climb in and hang from the handle. Stuff with straps of fleece, plastic kids toys, and some treats for them to dig throufh.

But the number one favorite toy for gliders everywhere is a sugar safe wheel! They will live in it, I swear. We have stealth, raptors and custom cruisers here, and they all get abused nightly :)

Thank you so much for all the helpful information! :) I will try that today. And i will look into the toys.