should I get a male or female/ sleeping times

Question
QUESTION: Hi Betty, I recently decided to get a sugar glider.   I wanted a sugar glider so bad and I was afraid to have one shipped to me so I found one at a local Pet Shop and  purchased the first one I saw.  I know, now that I researched the websites that may have not been the best thing to do.  She crabs alot.  I have had her for 4 days and we are taking it slow.  I have not tried to pick her up.  I do carry her in the bonding pouch when I get home from work. She crabs alot... It is a scary sound.  Tonight she let me feed her grapes and apples and she ate yogurt from a spoon with 2 feet in my hand.  This seems like slow progress to me.  But I am not giving up.  My question for you, the websites say the younger the better for bonding, if my "Baby Blue" is about 4 inches long (her body) is she young?? The breeder (again pet shop owner) said she is about 3/4 months. Is that young?  Also, I am trying to bond with her but my family wants to be a part as well.  Should I work with her by myself and when she feels confident with one person then bring in my family members or should we all try at the same time to bond?   I am buying a tent tomorrow to try letting her out of her pouch or should I wait a few more days?? I have had her for 4 days.. I am so anxious to love on her but afraid it I rush it she will not want to love on me... thanks for your time.

ANSWER: Cissy,

Congratulations on your new baby!  It takes quite some time for gliders to learn to trust humans.  She wants to love you, but is very frightened.  The crabbing is a defense mechanism.  Please go to my website for suggestions on bonding with her.  nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com  Be patient.  Don't take her to tent time yet.  She will just run away from you, and will be even more scared if you chase her.  

Joeys are ready to leave home at about eight weeks OOP, so she is old enough.  Please consider getting her a companion.  They are much happier if they have someone to play with and cuddle up with in the pouch.  She can bond with everyone, but don't rush things.  It will be worth the wait.

I hope this helps.  Good luck!

Betty



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

QUESTION: Hi Betty, thank you for responding so quickly.  I did not use the tent but did buy one.  I will wait until she lets me  hold her before going in.  I was afraid of how to get her back to her cage if she was upset in the tent so I am glad you said to wait.  My new question; if I get her a friend, will she still bond with me and not just her friend? and should I get a male or female?  ALSO, she sleeps until about 10:30 every night; I have been staying up to visit and feed her every night but will she ever wake up at a normal time so my family can see her and I can start to get some sleep???  When I get her pouch out when I get home she CRABS really loud and does not want me to move around very much so I just sit still, read to her and touch the outside of the pouch.  BUT no one sees her until 10:30?? any suggestions.. Can I change her sleep patterns to get her up earlier so my family and I can enjoy her more?? I look forward to hearing from you??  ONE MORE question??  How much do I feed her? I have been cutting up apples, pears, grapes and putting in some yogurt (strawberry) and some dry food at night.  In the morning there is usually one or two pieces of fruit and some dry food left?  Is this OK?  Does all dry sugar glider food STINK??  talk with ya soon?  Cissy

Answer
Cissy,

Whether you get a male or female depends on if you want babies.  They will get along either way.  They will both bond with you if you go through the bonding process with both of them in the pouch.  Your glider will be much happier, and not so afraid if she has a friend.

Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, but you can adjust the gliders' sleep time by modifying the light in the room.  Make it dark earlier and turn on lights early in the morning.  This needs to be done gradually.  Also, your family will be able to see her when they are bonding with her in the pouch during the day.  Don't be afraid of her crabbing.  Hold her from the outside of the pouch as I described in my bonding article.  She will stop crabbing after a while.

What kind of dry food are you giving your glider?  Gliders also need protein and calcium.  Please check out my recipe for BML (nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com).  There is a moist staple food available at sugar-gliders.com that smells like cookie dough.  Yummy!  It is called Zookeeper's Secret, or Zupreme.  This moist food is much better than dry food.  The crunchy food can irritate the gums, leading to infection.

I hope this helps.  Please keep in touch.

Betty