clipping nails..

Question
Ive read about clipping my gligers nails and how to do it with keeping them in the pouch and just pulling the limbs out and doing it. I can manage to get my females nails clipped after a period of time but my male is a stubborn / stong one and will pull his arms and legs away..i dont want to hold to tightly because i dont want to break his tiny legs as he forcefully pulls and twists away!  Ive tried the sand paper wodent wheel (does not work with his thick nails) and sugar gliders are newly legalized in my state so there are not alot of vets around who have experience with these small critters.... any advice would be appreciated greatly!
I dont want my glider to get injured because of his nails and i dont like the injurys to myself as he clings to me, but i dont want to injure him by forcing his leg still!

Answer
Hello Lindsey,

I understand your predicament.  Sugar Gliders are not as fragile as you think.  If you are holding the body securely, you should be able to hold his hand long enough to trim a nail or two at a time.  Here's the method that works for me:

Get some small nail clippers.  Wrap the glider up in a small towel or other cloth.  Hold him in your left hand.  With your right hand, pull one foot out and give it to the thumb and forefinger of your left hand.  The rest of the fingers of your left hand are still holding the glider tightly.  With your right hand, clip only the sharp tip of the nail.  Their nails have blood vessels, just like a dog or cat, so be careful to trim only the white tip.  They have five nails to clip on their hands, but only two on the feet.  On their feet, you will notice that the fused toes and one other toe have soft nails.  The gliders use these for grooming.  Do not clip these.  The two that need to be clipped are much harder than the others.  Of course, if you are left handed, reverse the hands.

After a nail clipping, gliders can't "stick" to things like they did before, so might fall off things for a while.  That's okay, but just be careful.

I hope my directions are clear enough.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Good Luck!