Diet and training

Question
My husband and I were given 2 gliders about 3 or 4 months ago.  I have been looking on line and giving them only fresh fruit and I tried plain sugarless no additive yogurt.  They don't like it much, but they eat it anyway.  Same with the eggs.  I am just wondering if I am doing the right thing.

The other problem is the were already about 2 years old when given to us so it is very hard to gain their trust.  Can you help?

Thank you

Answer
Hello Sarah,

Are you feeding your gliders BML?  It provides most of the nutrients that Sugar Gliders need.  If they are eating this regularly, then you don't need to worry so much about their finicky eating habits.

Gliders tend to like one fruit, then another.  The same is true with veggies.  I would suggest that you try different things until you find one they like.  Mine like cherries, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, grapes, zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, spinach, and other stuff.  Keep offering them a variety of foods.  

As for bonding, you use the same strategies that you would use for a joey.  Here's my article:

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.    


Good Luck!  Please keep in touch,

Betty