In Reply to: glider's claws posted by Aimee on September 24, 1999 at 14:49:57:

When Gliders glide they have a good chnace of catching an eye. anyone that has ever had a "face hugger" can atest to that. as far as the probability chances.. well count how many claws they have and figure that if the eye is open, and your not expecting it.. well.. you see what I mean.. As far as the claw issue.. their claws after a certain age will grow very sharp.. and they must be trimmed regularly. will that lessen the chances? no..will it aid in the severity of scratches on your arms, maybe..it will however definitly save them from breaking a leg from not getting then caught on materials..There are a lot of things people do to aid in the clipping of them,
1. for starts just about 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch needs taken off, just the point. Also I have found that usually only one or two of the nails need to be clipped at all..
2. some put sandpaper in their wodent wheel for a day or so. NO LONGER..
3. others use sandpaper in variaous places, on branches, shelves, perches etc..but again only for a couple of days max.
4. most of us just clip them..
5. a vet can do it if they know what they are doing with them.
Caroline MacPherson Book shows exactly how much to take off.
declawing them is not an option.. they are tree climbers. They NEED their claws.. that is how they climb in their cage as well..

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