I got a single sugar glider a few days ago, and he has been sleeping in his food bowl instead of on of his pouches. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Thanks!

Oh that sounds so sad.... Personally, I begin with washing his pouch make sure there maybe isn't any type smell that disturbs him. I never use any softeners or any item in washer or dryer that would normally make our clothes smell good to us...it may be offensive to them as they are so sensitive to smell.

Also our two gliders like blankie's in there sleep pouches, we cut up several pieces of fleece, oh something like a 4x4 or 5x5 inch square pieces to make the pouch soft and comfortable. They love to tunnel under them.

Another thing our loves that you can do too, it's not meant to be a replacements for sleep pouch, but would be better than his food dish is I have taken a piece of fleece....oh say size of a hand towel, and folded it several times and have put it in the bottom of the cage....our two loves to tunnel between the layers and peek out.

I don't have much except, those things came to my mind. I hope it helps some. Keep me posted.

Thank you! I will try those ideas. After educating myself a little more, I actually acquired 2 more males, so we will see if he is more comfortable with the others being there.

I hope you're planning (or that they are already) neutered. You're going to have some issues with a colony of intact males. What are their ages?

Depending on how he was treated prior to you he may not have even been offered pouches, etc. Poor guy. Plus, he's in a bit of stress over being in a new place...and then suddenly having two strangers added in to the mix. That part will take awhile to sort out.

If he is only sleeping in the bowl during the day...remove it. They don't need for the food bowl to be in while they're sleeping...that may prompt him to climb into his pouch.

Mine did that for the first couple of days then moved on to pouch but then she switched to sleeping in my shirt that I threw in her cage.

I have adopted a companion glider for my current glider and have seen him do this once before during the first week of having him. He no longer does it. As long as everything in the cage is clean, I wouldn't be worried. I think that it is very common with young gliders, they'll sleep in anywhere. I also think they like how tight and secure that space is :) Your glider might still be adjusting to its surroundings.

Kilo, Chip, and Dale are all now sleeping in the same pouch and are bonding well with each other and myself. Thank you everyone!

I remember my first glider slept in her food bowl i think few times when I first got her but it did not last long.