behavior

Question
Hello!
My husband and I just bought a pair of 9 week old gliders (one male-not neut. one female) They have never met before until the day we bought them and when we got them home and in the cage the female was all full of energy and the male was just sitting in the corner. I tried to watch his breathing but I can not tell what is normal or abnormal. He is eating (apples and glider chow) and I have not yet seen him drink. My question to you is- is the behavior of the male, just being still and sleeping normal? even early in the morning when I first look in the cage, the female is up and about, and the male is still sleeping in the corner. Just seems to me he is sluggish and not energetic comparative. I have never owned gliders before so I do not know what so compare it to beside the female in the cage!

He makes the noise because he does not know us yet. Maybe I am just over thinking this a little much. I just want to make sure my lil glider is heathy and thought I would seek your opinion before taking him in. As of today we have only had the pair for about 48 hours.

I too bought my glider from Pocket Pets, so I hope there is nothing wrong with him!!

I appreciate your time with this and it is great to know there are people who care so much about gliders to help new owners like myself! So thanks again :)

Answer
Dear Jami:

Sorry this took till the end of the day, but I work full time.

I suggest you get him to a vet right away for an exam.  It is always a good idea for a new glider and for this little boy, it could make a difference.  It could be that he's just a little stressed, but a baby that young needs to be eating, drinking and active.  He should not be sleeping in a corner, but should be in his pouch.  It is not entirely abnormal for him to be less active, more quiet, but it disturbs me that he is just sleeping in a corner.  If he becomes lethargic, you will need to take him to an emergency vet.  I am also concerned that you have not seen him drink.  I would push fluids.  Use an eye dropper and give him some diluted 1/2 water 1/2 gatorade and start him on a good diet.  Apples and glider chow is not a proper diet for a glider.  Your breeder has not given you the best information on diets for your babies.  I recommend you research and go with an approved glider diet like BML, Suncoast, or Priscilla's (The Pet Glider) diet.  I will provide some links below to help you out.  If you send me your e-mail privately, I will e-mail you back some attachments.  Email me at lauriegall @ cox . net with the spaces taken out.  In the meantime, you want to watch for lethargy, dehydration (gently pinch the skin behind his neck and see if it tents for more than a couple of seconds), vomiting, diarrhea, watery eyes and nose.  

It sounds to me like you were just not properly instructed on all in information you needed before they sent you home with these babies.  There is so much to learn and much research you should do.  

Check out these sites:

http://worldwidesugarglidernetwork.com/board/index.php

http://www.sugarglider.net/

http://www.thepetglider.com/index/content/view/13/27/