aggressive smaller female

Question
QUESTION: We've had our 2 female gliders (not sisters) for about a year and a half now, since they were 8 and 10 weeks old. Starting about 2 weeks ago, the smaller, younger one has been chasing the other one around the cage aggressively, making loud hissing noises to the point that the other one is scared to be even near her. We've tried separating them for a couple days, which have made them both lonely and sad, but within minutes of putting them together again, the chasing and hissing starts all over. There have been no change in diet or environment, and we have even changed the cage up by adding more toys to make it more interesting. Not sure if it's important, but there has been a lot of butt-sniffing going on as well. Any thoughts as to what's going on?

ANSWER: Mackay,

You have quite a baffling situation.  You would think that any issues they have with each other would have been settled a long time ago.

Gliders are scent oriented.  The younger one is smelling something that she doesn't like.  Try doing a thorough cage cleaning.  While you're at it, totally switch the cage around, taking out old toys, putting in new, moving the food dishes, etc.  Before you put the girls back into the "new" cage, clean them with glider dry shampoo or a damp (not wet) cloth.  Put a little vanilla extract on the back of their necks.

Hopefully this will give them a fresh start, and they will get along better.  Give it a try, and let me know how it goes.  I hope this helps.

Good Luck,

Betty




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

QUESTION: Hi Betty,

As a followup, we had thoroughly cleaned the cage and moved things around.
The fussing continued and we had to separate them for a few days, but then
things died down and they appeared to be fine for the past month, though
they don't really play with each other anymore.

A couple days ago we picked up our gliders from a glider sitter. That night
the fussing started all over again and was even worse than before. The
smaller one (Kiko) would chase the larger one around the cage constantly to
the point that we separated them again that night. We've been gone a little
over a week and they've been in their smaller travel cage, so we thought
maybe the small one was feeling cooped up and needed some space to move
and play. So the following night we gave the girls the entire room to play in.

In the morning we found Kiko back in the bag alone and had to search for the
other one who was hiding under some towels in the room. She is absolutely
terrified of Kiko and when she sees her, she'll jump off our shoulders onto
the ground and run out of the room.

So we have the 2 girls separated right now and are doing all we can to keep
close to them and re-bond to them again after our vacation. Last night we
played with them separately, but found something interesting with Kiko.
Instead of playing with us like she used to, jumping around back and forth,
she ended up doing this instead: It looks like she's wiping her back feet when
she's on our backs. She'll go spread eagle on us, flattening her body out, and
rub her body back and forth. At the exact same time while this is going on,
there is an extreme amount of biting. In addition to this she is doing a
movement that we can only describe as humping. On occasion we have seen
her do similar movements in her wheel, but it would last only a few seconds.
When she did it on us, it lasted several minutes. No wonder why our other
glider is terrified!

So what is going on? Is she in heat? Is she sick? Should we take her to the vet?
We thought it might be some infection that makes her itchy, but she's not
rubbing all the time. Only that time 2 months ago when we posted our first
question, which then stopped, and this time now, which is still continuing.
What do you think?

Sorry this is so long!




ANSWER: Mackay,

It doesn't sound like Kiko has a physical ailment, but it wouldn't hurt to have her checked out anyway.  Gliders in captivity don't go into heat, but can mate any time.

Just like people, gliders each have their own personality, likes, and dislikes.  It is obvious that Kiko is the dominant glider, and there is something about the other one that sets her off.  If we knew what that was, maybe we could settle the issue, and they would get along.  Since they can't tell us what is wrong, we'll just have to be patient and try lots of things.  

Here's another idea:  find a pouch or purse with two compartments, at least one of which has a zipper.  I find lots of suitable cloth or fleece purses at thrift shops.  During the day, while they are sleeping, put them in the separate compartments and keep them with you.  They will be able to smell each other, but not have physical contact.  If they fuss at each other, cup them in your hands for comfort.  After a few days of this, maybe they will get used to each other again.  

The odd behaviors you describe sound like what a male glider does to claim his territory.  Females do have scent glands, but I didn't know they marked territory in that way.  It also sounds like male mating behavior.  They bite onto the back of the female's neck.  Uh...she IS female, right?

You have been doing a great job with your gliders.  It takes a lot of patience to deal with issues like this.  I hope my new suggestion helps.  Please let me know.  You could also check out "glider introduction" on my website: nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com.

Good luck, keep in touch,

Betty




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

QUESTION: Here's a followup:
We took Kiko to the vet to check her health and she (yes, Kiko is a she) is healthy. After knowing that, we've been slowly bringing them together by putting their zipped pouches together during the daytime so they can feel/smell each other but can't touch each other. It's been a very slow process and we haven't physically brought them together yet because the few times they have seen each other up close, one or the other would freak out and start to squabble.

The vet told us that it was a problem with dominance. I accept that answer because of her behavior, but what I don't understand is why she will do her biting/male movements on our backs when the other glider is nowhere to be seen. Is she trying to be dominant/territorial with us? The last thing I want to do is bring the 2 gliders together again while she's still acting like this. Any suggestions?

Answer
Mackay,

You certainly do have an interesting situation!  Your Kiko is a difficult creature to get along with.  Just like people, gliders each have their own personalities.  Kiko is an aggressive individual, and, unfortunately, is taking it out of her pouchmate.  I don't know why she does her dominance thing with humans.  

Can you find anything that sets her off?  Does the larger one do anything that annoys Kiko?  If you observe them carefully, you may be able to determine what the problem is.  What is their behavior like when you put in their food?  You may need to feed them separately.

I worry about your larger one.  She may not be getting hurt physically, but she is living in fear.  Please give her extra attention.  Do you have a separate pouch that she can sleep in when Kiko kicks her out?  All this reminds me of a married couple who can't get along.  It's the old "can't live with them, can't live without them" thing.  I am toying with the idea of introducing a third glider, but I'm not sure.  It is possible that a third personality could do the trick for calming the situation and taking the pressure of your larger glider.  What are your thoughts on this?

I wish there were more I could do to help you.  All I can say is to be patient and diligent.  Keep up the strategies I suggested in my "introductions" article on my website (nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com).  

Good luck, please keep me informed.

Betty