I don't usually hang around this board much, but I do like the amount of communication...it is one of the better glider boards.

Now for the subject: Glove/No Gloves

I see plenty of people warning against gloves, and when I got my first glider a couple years ago, I was also warned against gloves.

1. Let them get used to your scent.
2. Don't let them see the biting bothers you.
3. They need to get comfortable with your hands and not threatened by the gloves.
... etc ...

Let me tell you, your mind gets changed in a hurry when you have one that bites *extremely* hard and can draw blood through calloused hands. You give into the temptation to put a glove on that one hand that is going to be picking up the glider. My glider didn't just change my mind, it changed the mind of a couple other experienced glider owners.

Once I used the gloves, I wondered why I hadn't before. They not only did not add to any adverse effects, they aided the process of bonding. You'd hardly catch a wildlife rehabilitator who doesn't own a pair of gloves.

Keep in mind, I'm not berating anyone for telling others to wear gloves. I just have a big difference of opinion. It hurts more in the bonding process when the glider draws blood, you don't want to handle the glider, or you keep pulling your hand back. When the glider gets a little more used to you, you can take the gloves off (hmm...not the slang meaning where 'take the gloves off' means fight it out)

How does wearing gloves aid in bonding? You aren't afraid or hesitant to pick the glider up. The glider learns he/she can't hurt a gloved hand, so will let you pick him/her up. A glider feels a little removed from the "huge beast" wanting to devour it. If the glider sleeps in cloth with the same scent, shouldn't it be more comfortable when being picked up by a huge "blanket"?

The most traumatic time for the glider in my experience is the initial handling. All of a sudden, a big face attached to a hand that could crush the poor animal is there trying to capture it. After you have the glider in your possession, the most traumatic time is over. Maybe now, it will let you pet it with your ungloved hand.

The benefits of not having to wear a glove most likely do increase the amount of bonding. You probably don't want to handle a newborn with gloves, but also, a newborn can't make you consider putting your hand into a tankful of pirrahnas is a better alternative.

I've heard some of the ladies let their gliders sleep in their bras (while wearing them). I bet that increases the bonding, and makes the glider feel really safe. How about putting a wild glider in there and telling them.. "No matter how hard he bites, don't let him out"

Wear gloves if you have to, but don't overdo it. Don't hurt them or antagonize them (especially while wearing the gloves) Put your gloves on, cup your hands around them to make them feel safe, talk softly, take one glove off and use that hand to pet and give them treats. And, don't put a wild glider into your bra.

-Thomas

Follow Ups:

• Re: Gloves/No Gloves TammyH 21:57:44 4/10/99 (6)
  • Re: Gloves/No Gloves Thomas 23:37:34 4/11/99 (0)
  • ROFLMAO!! Sorry Tammy, been there but not quite that bad!! n/m Maria 00:43:24 4/11/99 (0)
  • OUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dominic 22:13:42 4/10/99 (3)
    • Re: OUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sherry 13:52:54 4/11/99 (0)
    • My 2 cents on gloves Maria 00:47:44 4/11/99 (0)
    • Re: Forget them. Jo 23:49:38 4/10/99 (0)