I've had my baby sugar glider for about 4 days and I've started the bonding process. I have a button up shirt with a pocket that he likes to sit in, he does fairly well with letting me touch him and pet him, but it seems like everytime he hears my voice or sees my face he'll crab at me. Wondering why this is, because he does fine inside my pocket, he let me rub and pet him but when he peeks out the pocket he starts crabbing crazily. Does anyone have some tips or information for me.
*~Colleen Marie~* I love all my babies! My Red Heeler Sadie and her 5 puppies,my Bearded Dragon Spike,& my sugar baby Junior!!
Colleen, I HIGHLY suggest that you let your Glider acclimate to its surroundings BEFORE you start bonding with him. By ignoring this, you have skipped a very important part in the bonding process. Gliders should be left to settle in for about a week before you begin bonding. This is so that they may get adjusted to the sights and sounds of their new environment.
Every night, wear a fleece strip inside your bra and in the morning put it in his pouch and take his regular blanket out. While he's asleep, he will be able to smell you and get used to your scent without even knowing it, so when he sees you next, he will be less scared. Please go read my thread on Bonding, "Sugar Glider Bonding (Questions Answered Here!!!)" and if you still have questions after that, PLEASE post them on THAT thread and I'll get back to you within one business day.
Everything I read said to give them a week to settle in to their new home before trying to bond. i have no previous experience with gliders so did tons of research and followed suggestions exactly, I'm so glad I did.
At first, especially the female, crabbed everytime she saw or heard us. Poor thing was terrified. All it took was opening the pouch and peeking in and when they got one look at our giant faces they panicked.
We have let them set the pace. They spend several hours each day in the pouch on each of us. We sit by the cage at night and talk to them and offer treats. We've kept this up for a month and it's been so hard to be patient and not reach in and grab one or force them to be touched by us against their will.
My goodness, our patience has really paid off. We hardly ever hear them crab and it's only if they're startled. when we reach into the cage they can't wait to climb on our arms, licking and gently nibbling. If we aren't careful with the door they jump out onto us while we're putting the food dish in or adjusting toys.
they've started stretching out on their backs in the pouch waiting for a tummy rub. Then today, I was in the usual position, laying on my back with the pouch on my chest with my hand in the pouch rubbing Lenny's tummy and he climbed out onto my chest and sat there staring at my face for a minute, then he laid down and as if he was in the pouch, stetched out on his back and went to sleep with me rubbing his little chest and tummy. It was the greatest feeliing. He'd still be sleeping there if I hadn't had to get up and do a few things. It's so rewarding for them to be so trusting and apparently enjoy being with us. To anyone I would say the most important thing is to be patient, let them set the pace. Don't force yourself on them but offer yourself to them.