Male scent gland issue

Question
QUESTION: Hi there Betty! I've had my male sugarglider named 'Fai' for about a year now. When I first got him he was 7 months old. One thing I noticed from the moment I got him was that the scent gland on his head had a hard patch of matted fur that could be peeled off. He's had it ever since and no matter how often I get it off of him it keeps coming back. Any idea what it may be?

ANSWER: Fran,

Does your glider live alone?  My gliders all live in groups, and they groom each other.  I suspect that the scent gland secretes something that he cannot clean himself. If you would wipe his bald spot with a damp cloth once in a while, I think the "stuff" would not build up, and he would always be a clean, handsome boy.  

I hope this helps,

Betty

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

QUESTION: At the moment he lives alone, yes. I'm looking into getting several more soon (going to check two out tomorrow actually) so it should work out I think.

Alrighty, I'll start cleaning that spot and see if it works out. Thank you very much! Fai would say thank you too, but he's currently on my back, under my shirt.Hee~

Thank you very much! <3

Answer
Fai will be REALLY thankful when he gets a friend or two!  Are you planning to get females?  Two adult males will not get along.  I just thought I'd warn you before you have to write to me about your male gliders fighting with each other.

Let me know if you need information about how to introduce gliders.

Good luck, keep in touch,

Betty