scared sugar glider

Question
QUESTION: My sugar glider got so scared tonight she fell to the bottom of the cage and
stiffened up. I thought she died, but her eyes were 1/2 open and she started
to make a low barking noise. Her body was stiff. She came out of it quickly,
and within a 1/2 hour she was jumping around the cage and is eating
normally. This is the 1st time it's happened and I found it very disturbing.
Any idea of what this  could be?

Thanks.

ANSWER: Kathy,

What you described is a warning sign.  Please check to be sure everything is as it should be for your glider.  I can help if you let me know all about your glider's diet, cage, companions, and other factors regarding her living conditions.

Please let me know asap so I can help you avoid another episode.

Betty

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

QUESTION: Hi Betty,

Living conditions are good for my glider and her sister - clean cage, fresh
water all the time and they eat healthier than I do. I watched her for about an
hour afterwards and she was doing fine. She seemed back to normal this
morning too - waiting for me to give her fresh food and water before retiring
for the day. Is this type of behavior possibly a defensive response to being
frightened?

Answer
Kathy,

I once had an inept pet store man try to tell me that his very sick rescued glider was "playing possum."  Well, the poor thing wasn't playing anything.  After several more episodes and a trip to the vet, the glider just didn't snap out of it.  

The only other time I have seen this condition was when one of my young gliders accidentally fell through the opening of a double window pane in the middle of the winter.  I thought for sure he was dead, but held him close to me anyway.  Once he warmed up (to my surprise) he came back to life.  It seems that gliders can go into a temporary hibernation-like  state when it gets too cold.

Gliders will sometimes react to frightening or stressful situations by playing like a zombie.  They will stay motionless until the perceived threat is gone.  They should not become stiff, though.

Please be sure your glider is eating plenty of protein and calcium, has a large enough cage, and is not living with stress.  

Good luck.  Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Betty