sugar glider stress

Question
QUESTION: hello i just got a new sugar glider yesterday one for me and one for my girlfriend my girlfriend has one at her house and i have one at mine they are brother and sister and we got them from a lady that had 4 them and the mom and dad.the first and second night but tonight she isnt really moving much and when she does move its very slow. i dont know if i should just keep giving it attention or what i can do to make it better and also what time should she wake up at night this is just new to me and i would like some tips and answers it would help out alot. thanks so much i really appreciate it :) Tyler

ANSWER: Tyler,

There are many things that could be causing your glider's problem.  The most likely is that she is lonely.  Sugar Gliders are social animals and do not do well alone.  

Since your gliders are brother and sister, you would need to have the male neutered to have them live together.  How old are they?  They can stay together until they are about 4-5 months old.

Other causes could be poor diet, stress. inappropriate living conditions, or some kind of illness.  It is not normal for a young glider to act lethargic, so please take action.

Gliders wake up at different times, but usually it is a few minutes after the room has been darkened for the night.

Please check out sugar-gliders.com or my website nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com for good information about gliders and their care.

I hope this helps, please keep in touch.

Betty

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QUESTION: well last night after she finally woke up she was really hyper and loved running around, i guess i was just new to all of this and knew they get stressed easily but she seemed to be ok after i played with her for a little while. She is almost 4 months old and her brother was a year old. i give her a different veriety of food throughout the week like fruits with a sprinkle of sugar with a little snack to go with it like cereal or yogurt. but im not sure what to put in her cage during the day. she always has plenty of water too. but she just went to bed and its 1030. she got up last night between 11 and 12. but thanks so much for answering back to me. and one more question would it be a good idea to get another sugar glider for her?

ANSWER: Hello Tyler,

I am glad your little one is feeling better.

Yes, she should have a companion.  Gliders do much better with someone to eat with, play with, and sleep with.

Your glider is lacking some major nutrients in her diet.  Gliders need protein, calcium, fruits, and veggies.  Do not give refined sugar, but honey is fine.  Cereal and yogurt are okay, too, but she needs a complete balanced diet with all the right nutrients.  A fresh balanced diet is best, but the easiest way to ensure that she gets what she needs is to provide her with BML.  You can find the recipe several places online, and my recipe is on my website: nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com.  Also check out sugar-gliders.com for lots of good information.

The only staple food I recommend is Zookeeper's Secret aka Zupreme.  You can get it from the website I mentioned above.  It is soft, like Tender Vittles.  The hard, dry food is not good for their gums and teeth.

I hope this helps.  Keep in touch,

Betty






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

QUESTION: hey betty is tyler again, my girlfriend gave me her brother back and i was wondering if it was not good to put them back together because she was tellin me that hers wasnt acting the same either so we felt that it was best to put them back together. also what are some signs of them being stressed? Sorry bout so many questions just want them to be happy and keep them in the best environment I can. tomorrow im ordering the zookeepers secret. thanks so much. and also what can i do to stop one from biting. any suggestions will help. :) thanks
Tyler

Answer
Tyler,

Your gliders should be happier now that they are back together.  Don't forget that the male needs to be neutered.

There are lots of signs of stress.  Basically, whenever the glider is acting strangely, it could be stress.  Look for: too active, too inactive, over-grooming, overeating, not eating enough, a "sad" look, or any other abnormal behavior.

Here is my article about bonding.  You can probably skip some of the steps, since your glider is mostly tame already.  Just keep them both with you in a pouch and let them get used to your scent and touch.

         Bonding With Your Sugar Glider

Bonding with Sugar Gliders will take a lot of time and patience. The objective is to convince them that you are not scary, and that having you around brings pleasure and nourishment.  For now, get a pouch/purse to put them in, and wear the pouch next to your skin during the day when they are sleeping.  You want to get them used to your scent.  Don't try to handle them yet.  Next, try holding them from OUTSIDE the pouch.  Just cup them in your hands.  They will probably fuss, but do not back down.  Continue doing this until they no longer fuss.  Get some licky treats such as applesauce or yogurt.  Put some on your finger and put it at the opening of he pouch to see if they will lick it off your finger. The idea is to get them to trust you.  When they are readily eating from your finger, start the next step:  While they are sleeping in the pouch, put your hand INSIDE the pouch.  Cup them as you did from the outside.  At this point you may get some bites.  They don't trust you yet.  Don't back down.  You don't want them to think they can get you to go away by biting.   Keep doing this until they are comfortable with you holding them.  Get some treats such as fruit or yogurt.  While holding them, bring them part way out of the pouch to eat.  Keep doing this until you have them completely out of the pouch.  All this could take weeks or months.  It took me four months to tame my first one.  He was captive bred and still a baby.    

Note:  While you are taming your gliders, never chase them.  Either coax them with treats, or just leave them alone.  The best time to get them out of the cage is when they are sleeping in their pouch.  If one gets out, try using a butterfly net or toss a towel over it to catch it.  Again, don't chase.  If it runs away, make sure the room is safe, close the door, and just wait.  Remember, they can't swim.  Make sure toilets are closed, aquariums are covered, etc.  The glider will find a nice spot to sleep (usually up high).  You can look for its sleeping spot during the day, or listen for it running around at night.  Leave food and water out in a good location for the butterfly net. Be patient.  

I'm glad you're getting Zookeeper's Secret.  Have you added protein and calcium?  Have you tried BML?

I hope this helps.  Keep in touch.

Betty