In Reply to: Bonding or lack of?!*# posted by RB on April 21, 2000 at 04:59:02:

: I just recently got a 2 year old male Sugar Glider from a friend. I have read in a Sugarglider book that I should put the Glider in my pocket after awakening him and handle him a bit and gently touch him. The problem my girlfriend and I are having is that he won't let us get near him. Either he freaks out and hides in his sleeping box, or he really freaks out and crapps everywhere and lunges at us trying his hardest to bite or climb up us with his, much to long claws (which I would keep clipped if I had the means to hold him still. He also makes noises indicating he is frightened. I don't want to stress out the little fella, but I don't know how I'll ever get him to bond to me if I just leave him be. HELP ME! I want to keep him but, I can't have a vicious Sugarglider as a pet. Please give me some suggestions:)

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: I usually feed him about 3/4 cup of mixed fruit in one bowl and 1 tsp of plain yogurt in another container. Is that sufficient? I also give him "Craissins" (dried Cranberries) as treats are they safe?

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: How often do I "disinfecting clean" his cage?

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: I appreciate any answers, thanks.

First off please understand and DO NOT give up on your lil guy.
He is scared and wants/needs to TRUST you, and feel as though you will not hurt him.

Each time you try to get in his cage, put a little yougurt or some other form of *Licky* food on your finger, this way he will learn that when your hand goes in, you are there to give him yummy treats.

Now Bourbon has a GREAT site that can help you out a bit with the bonding and such.

As for what you are feeding him, are you saying he is ONLY getting fruits and craisens?

If so, he needs PROTEINS!!!!!! and VEGGIES!!!!!

I myself feed my gliders a varity of veggies, and fruits EVERY nite, as well as I alternate every nite between Meal worms and Crickets.

They also get a spoonful of Bourbons Lead Beater.

You may want to go over this link, and read everything on it and see if this will help you to be able to bond to your lil guy any better.

But the main thing to NOT do is GIVE UP on him!!!!!

How often did your friend hold him?
Also, another way to start trying to bond, is to take and wear a t-shirt for the day, then place it in his cage and leave it there for a few days, and just allow him to sleep on it or in it or just hang out by it, this allows him to get your scent and begin to feel there is no harm coming his way.

And just keep trying to become his best friend.

Now with him being 2 years old, and if your friend never worked with him, then it may be a little harder to adjust to him, and get him to earn your trust, but please do NOT give up on him.

Here is the link to Bourbons site.
http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/

Here is the one for the Lead Beaters.
http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/leadbeat.aspl

Good Luck,
Jacque

Follow Ups:

• Re: Bonding or lack of?!*# Jen L 10:58:56 04/21/2000 (2)
  • just a few corrections... Bourbon 14:09:21 04/21/2000 (1)
    • Thx for the correction, Bourbon. n/m Jen L 11:12:55 04/24/2000 (0)