introducing sugar gliders

Question
QUESTION: I have had Bella (female) for about 2 months now, she is about 4 months
old. it was very difficult to bond with her in the first place and it took a
while but she's sweet now and a good girl. i spend around 4-6 hours a
day with her but i wanted to get her a friend.
So on the 1st i got another baby, kaidence (also female) kaidence is
extremely sweet and she has already bonded to me.
I have them in two separate cages for now. the cages are about six
inches away from each other and for about a week now ive been
swapping their sleeping pouches as well as their bonding pouches.
Whenever I try to actually introduce them to eachother Bella attacks
kaidence. I break it up and try again. She attacks her each time. She
doesnt hurt kaidence but kaidence is very scared of bella now and if i
hold bella and put kaidence in bellas cage kaidence is terrified. It is clear
that it is not playing, bella is in fact attacking (jumping at) her in a mean
way.
The ONLY reason I got another one was to have then be friends. And to
allow me to not worry so much about them being lonely. At this point
giving one away would break my heart. Im wondering if there's anything
you can do to help or if you have any advice for the to actually get
along... thank you.

ANSWER: Taylor,

You have done everything right so far, but I think you may have rushed the actual introduction.  Wait a few days, then start again, but slower this time.  Patience is the key.  They will get along eventually.  Is Kaidence younger than Bella?

Begin by giving both cages and pouches a good cleaning.  You want to get the individual odors out.  Put the cages right next to each other, and continue to swap pouches.  You might even want to switch cages.  

Here is my article about introductions:

Glider introductions can be simple or difficult, depending on the individual gliders.  Generally, the younger the better.  Two young females will bond easily, as will a young male and female. The only way to successfully bond two males is if they are siblings and have grown up together.  Introducing older gliders can be tricky, as their personalities and preferences are already set.  

Begin by putting the cages together and letting the gliders smell each other for several days.  Switch bonding pouches every day so their scents will blend together.  

When you are ready to see if they can get along, take both pouches into the bathroom.  Glider-proof the room and hang up some towels, pouches, etc. to provide extra hiding places.  Have a hand towel ready to toss over them in case they start to fight.

Put some vanilla extract on the back of their necks (like perfume).  Put both pouches in the bathtub or sink, with the openings facing each other.   At this point one or both of them will come out to see what's going on.  Just leave them alone, unless they make a fighting furball, in which case you'll need to separate them with the towel and try again another time.  They will sniff at each other, fuss, crab, and probably chase one another. Be patient.  Hopefully they will settle down together. If not, then you'll have to repeat the previous steps.  It takes a lot of time and patience, but it can be done.

Good luck,

Betty




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for your help.
i was wondering if you could give me day by day or
weekly steps.
im very ocd and it is easier for me to follow actual
steps.
also, when you say throw a towel over them when they
are fighting, what exactly does that mean?
why would that make them stop fighting? is it okay if i
just grab one of them or do i have to throw a towel
over them?

Answer
Hello,

I am on vacation right now, but will answer your long question a bit later.  

Your other question is easy.  You toss the towel so your hands will be protected while you separate them.  If you try separating them with your bare hands, you will get bitten and scratched.  

I'll get back to you later.  Thanks for your understanding.

Betty