Glider Bonding

Question
QUESTION: I just adopted a 1 yr old glider last week and I was curious as to how I'll know when he's bonded to me.

I know it usually takes a while...but as soon as I brought him in to my room, I let him out of his cage and he jumped right on my shoulder. Eventually he jumps down and runs around, but he randomly comes back and jumps on my leg and runs back up my shoulder.

So....with this behavior...has he already accepted me as a friend? Or will there be another sign? I mean, he doesn't let me hold him, but I've read they normally don't like that anyways...
Thanks

~Craig

ANSWER: Hi Craig,

It sounds like you have a hand-tamed glider.  Well-socialized gliders will let anyone handle them.  Will he let you hold him when he's sleepy(during the day)?  Gliders are like toddlers, they like being held, but struggle to get away when they want to play.  Your glider is bonded when he will come to you if you have a goody for him, and will let you pet him when he is eating.  You should be able to hold him in your hand indefinitely when he is sleeping.  He should never bite or crab, unless he is being handled roughly.  Does that help?

Betty

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

QUESTION: It does help, and surprisingly he does let me pet him now (less than a week) while he's eating.

My next question is this....

He seems to go to his pouch....A LOT.
He sleeps in there during the day which I understand is very normal and expected....but tonight for instance, I took him out around 12am and fed him, he ran around and jumped on me, etc.
But after about 30 minutes he went back and went in his pouch and stayed there.....I think he's sleeping.
Should they sleep that much, or is he hiding?

Thanks

~Craig

ANSWER: Hi Craig,

I'm glad the bonding is going well.  Gliders do go in and out of the pouch all night, but should spend a lot of time playing in the cage.  If your glider lives alone, he could well be experiencing depression and/or boredom.  Gliders are very social creatures, and do not do well living alone.  Please get him a companion.  Two males do not get along, so (unfortunately) you'll have to get him a female.  He'll have to be neutered if you don't want babies.  

If you can't get him a companion, you'll have to spend much more time with him. You'll need to be his playmate, companion, and cuddlebug.  Keep him with you during the day, so you can hold him while he sleeps (to provide warmth and security).  Change out the toys in his cage to keep him intellectually stimulated. Play with him in the evening to keep him company.

Believe me, it is better for you both to just get him a companion!

Please keep in touch.

Betty

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

QUESTION: Well, with this advice there may not be anything to keep in touch about....
I have time, but not time each day during the day as my sched is shift work....and I can't afford to adopt and feed a 2nd glider.

It's looking like I'll have to contact a glider rescue (I've see a couple postings).

I appreciate you helping, I'd rather give him up and have him happy than keep him and not have him live the way he should.

Answer
Craig,

Sorry I didn't answer you earlier.  I really didn't know what to say.  I didn't mean to discourage you, or suggest that you give away your sugar glider!  You can get gliders inexpensively online.  Do a search for "sugar glider classifieds."  I advertise my gliders on hoobly.com.  Please let me know what is happening with you and your glider.  Thanks!

Betty