Sugar Glider Pictures - Information - Supplies

Sugar Glider Handling

Now that you have a sugar glider or two, you need to know how to handle them.  The sugar glider is very scent oriented and needs to learn the combination of your scent with the fact that you treat them lovingly and will not harm them.  Once the trust has been built, you will have the most wonderful pet you can imagine.  A bonded sugar glider makes the most wonderful companion.

HOW TO BOND

This is quite simple and requires only a few simple strategies.  You will need to purchase a few things that won't cost much. 

Tent

A child's tent, one of the dome type is preferable.  These can be found at any Wal-Mart or camping store for under $20.  Now you are probably wondering... Why a tent?  Tent time is the best way to have a small environment for you to sit in the tent with your new buddy and let them explore you.  Be sure to bring some mealworms, dried fruit (papaya is their favorite), and paper towels or tissues for their little messes.  I have also used other treats like yogurt drops, applesauce, etc, but stick to mealies at first, it makes them look forward to tent time :)  Spend at least an hour in there with them a day.  Talk to them, sit and just read a book or watch them and let them gain a trust in you.  They will notice that you aren't always watching and they will jump on you and check you out and maybe even go clothes diving.  Yes, clothes diving!  This is when they decide that going up your sleeve, or pant leg, or even better... down your shirt to have a little adventure.  Don't panic, this is normal and they love being under a shirt, and ladies... they LOVE being in a bra.

Bonding Pouch

This is a pouch that you can carry your glider around with.  There are two kinds of bonding pouches.  One is a bra pouch.  The bra pouch is small and should have a window for them to see out of, and a gathered tie top with a slide so the tie can not be undone by the glider.  Some bra pouches have a zipper and we carry both types (please see link below to get pouches).  The second type of pouch is a Carry pouch. This type of a pouch is hung from your neck and should be roomy enough for the number of gliders you have.  It should have a neck strap, a window so they can see what's going on as well as get fresh air without the danger of their escape, and the pouch should be ZIPPERED!!!  Do not be fooled into thinking that a Velcro pouch will work.  IT WILL NOT!!  Those little pointy noses pushing up against the Velcro long enough opens it right up and out they come at the most inappropriate time.  Another thing to look for is to make sure there are no strings hanging that can get their toes caught.  Many gliders lose toes over a loop of thread from a pouch.  We do carry these and have many different fabrics available.  Please visit SUGAR GLIDER POUCHES to purchase one of our high quality - low priced pouches.

Biting Issues

Biting is a problem, but it doesn't have to be.  By spending tent time, and bonding pouch time with the glider, the trust they gain will cause them to stop biting.  NEVER pull away from a bite.  This lets them think they will be able to get you to go away whenever they want.  This sounds awful, but you need to "take the bite".  It is not as bad as you would think.  It's much like a pinch, and they let go immediately after.  They do not bite and hang on as other animals would.  When they do bite me, I use a strong voice and say "NO BITE!".  This startles them for a brief moment and they realize that it was not a good thing to do, yet they were not harmed.  Tent time is the best for this.  The more tent time, the less biting :)