sugar gliders being together

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just got this really old sugar glider (shes 12) the reson why her owner gave her up is because her cage mate died 2 weeks ago, the old sugg (witch I call grandma) got really depressed so she gave grandma to me (because I have 6 sugar gliders)

well the problem is I need to place grandma in a cage, I have two seproate colonies, one consists of a mother/father and there babies, the other is just a brother/sister pair.

well my question is how should I go in intergrating her into a new cage? shes really old and I dont want her getting hurt :(

ANSWER: Hello Stephanie,

I am so glad you have Grandma.  I think she will get along best with the brother and sister.  Here is my advice on introductions:
Glider introductions can be simple or difficult, depending on the individual gliders.  Generally, the younger the better.  Two young females will bond easily, as will a young male and female. The only way to successfully bond two males is if they are siblings and have grown up together.  Introducing older gliders can be tricky, as their personalities and preferences are already set.  

Begin by putting the cages together and letting the gliders smell each other for several days.  Switch bonding pouches every day so their scents will blend together.  

When you are ready to see if they can get along, take both pouches into the bathroom.  Glider-proof the room and hang up some towels, pouches, etc. to provide extra hiding places.  Have a hand towel ready to toss over them in case they start to fight.

Put some vanilla extract on the back of their necks (like perfume).  Put both pouches in the bathtub or sink, with the openings facing each other.   At this point one or all of them will come out to see what's going on.  Just leave them alone, unless they make a fighting furball, in which case you'll need to separate them with the towel and try again another time.  They will sniff at each other, fuss, crab, and probably chase one another. Be patient.  Hopefully they will settle down together. If not, then you'll have to repeat the previous steps.  It takes a lot of time and patience, but, hopefully, it can be done.  

Good luck.  Let me know how it goes.

Betty

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

QUESTION: hi, im scared that they will hurt eachother though... shes just so old and her age is really showing through.

I put the cages side-by-side and the male started to mark and go nuts, he was trying to chew through the bars of the cage and he was crabbing! he was sereously going nuts, he looked so scary and mean :(

dose this usually happen? the female dosent like her ither, she crabs and freaks out also.
Will they get over there differences, she dosent do anything she just sits there and watches them. I just dont want to give her a heart attack :(

I was thinking about putting my female joey in with her when she is weaned (witch would be in 2 weeks) would this work better?

Answer
Hello,

That's a possibility.  Sugar Gliders each have their own personalities, so I can't predict what will happen with any certainty.  This match-up sounds like a good idea.  Please be sure the joey is at least eight weeks OOP, and follow the introduction advice I wrote about last time.  Good luck; keep me informed.

Betty