I just got my male sugar glider about a week ago. He was at a pet store in a small glass cage and they never played with him or nething. I almost consider it a rescue. the first day we finally got him out of his pouch and he was runnin around the room. But we cant hold him or even try to pet him sometimes he will crab and try to bite us. He has bite my hubby like 8 times and he keeps showing that it doesnt bother him. We think at the pet store they never played with him and was in a small enclosure and does not like hands at all. I carry him around and he will only come out when its night time cuz he is nocturnal duh lol but during the day if we want to say hello and pet him he will not allow us to. We bring him out everyday but still cannot touch him or hold him. I know i have to be patient just need some tips on how to get him to warm up to hands because he seems like he is so afraid of hands. we feed him blueberries and food from our fingers but after he is done he will try to bite us. Please help and the pet store wasnt sure how old he was they think about 8 months.
It will take time for him to learn to trust you. It's important to move at his pace. He needs to know he's safe and loved. Be sure to provide plenty of enrichment items for him (a safe wheel and toys). Lack of enrichment can cause stress which in turn can cause illness and also slow the bonding process. If you haven't already, take him to the vet for a checkup including a fecal. Illness can cause behavior issues. Get him on a balanced diet also. Carrying him around during the day will help aclimate him to you, your smell and movements. It's not necessary to reach into his pouch, just pet him from the outside. Once you're able to move his pouch and pet him from the outside of the pouch w/out any negative reactions, you can move forward a bit. Just take it slow. I don't recommend bringing your hand "down"/"on top of" him. The glider views that as an aggressive, threatening or dangerous action. Offering treats is a great way to earn trust. It's normal for a scared glider to bite and crab. Just move slowly w/him and you will begin to see a change. It will take a lot of time, but once he begins to feel safe you'll start seeing changes.
Have you tried Tent time? I had a girl like that. We bought a child size tent. and sat inside arms up a palms to the sky like a tree. Let her climb all over us with treats in hands "like the top of branches" (Don't close your hand around him) She eventually would go into our hands and try to get sap (Just nipping no biting). Also when in the pouch sleeping I would carry her around and put my hand inside ever so gently so she didn't wake so she could get used to my smell. Hope that helps a little.