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Environmental Enrichment: Sounds #83910
02/19/06 04:04 AM
02/19/06 04:04 AM

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Okay, well...some may have thought that I've completely lost it...but if you know me...you know that I am an advocate for lots of Environmental Enrichment for captive animals.

I have a glider/flyer room complete with vines, ropes, trees, toys, foraging units, and the like...and for about a year I'd wanted to buy a small boombox for the critter room so that I could play nature sounds for them. Sure, they're captive bred animals, but surely it would be nice for them to hear "the wild".

About 4 months ago I finally added some sound enrichment to the room. Having both sugar gliders and southern flying squirrels housed in the same room, I naturally had to cater to both species. The gliders have a Rainforest cd and a waterfall cd (both have Rainforest noises...birds, insects and water). I bought an American Wilds CD for the flyers...it has coyotes, crickets, owls, etc. I rotate the CDs.

I can't tell if it really makes a huge difference or not, but I just feel like it completes the room.

I think it would be interesting to hear what other people do for environmental enrichment and if they also play "music" for their fur kids.

I know BMXGirl says that she plays classical music for her gliders...and that TMarie did a study on how her gliders reacted to different types of music...so what else do you do?

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83911
02/19/06 05:30 AM
02/19/06 05:30 AM

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I personaly would be afraid that the OWL sounds would terrify the gliders as owls are natural predators of the little furbuts

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83912
02/19/06 05:49 AM
02/19/06 05:49 AM
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Kentucky
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I would think the bird and owl sounds would scare the weebie jeebies outta them also....how are they acting?

Of course, the crickets..that's another story..they are probably getting together to figure out how to break outta the cage to go on a "hunt"! LOL

Ours like soft music and country ...and oldies. LOL


Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83913
02/19/06 09:24 AM
02/19/06 09:24 AM

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I play music in my glider room when I'm in there. A lot of my gliders have musical preferances and when I play certain songs, they will come out of their pouch and kind of play around to the music.

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83914
02/19/06 09:49 AM
02/19/06 09:49 AM

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I've always played classical music for my gliders. Now sometimes, they get some classic rock, but I deliberately put the classical music on before I check in for the night.

muses: I wonder if "Moonlight Sonata" is responsible for all of my joeys in the past six months?

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83915
02/19/06 11:07 AM
02/19/06 11:07 AM
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Williamsburg, VA & Whg, WV
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Katedid, I would pay good money to see your glider/squirrel room. You must just be a wonderful person. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" />
Hats off to you Honey!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> I'm so impressed with the way you care. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

I want to try music for my 4 too but what kind should I try? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> The "rainforest" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/question.gif" alt="" /> I see that birds and insects are a definite NO! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />

I hope we get some answers to this question. I want to do the right thing for my guys.


Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming
WOOOO HOOOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!


Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83916
02/19/06 11:21 AM
02/19/06 11:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,089
Central Connecticut
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I know when I played the sounds gliders make while holding my little guy he got all crazy in his pouch and even made the noises back at the computer!
Brenda


Have a Good Day
Brenda &
Mr. Magoo

Friendly Reminder please have an e-collar ready before you need it......
Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83917
02/19/06 12:05 PM
02/19/06 12:05 PM

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I have a small water fountain set up next to Layla's house. It seems to help here calm and makes here more comfortable in her new home.

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83918
02/19/06 05:39 PM
02/19/06 05:39 PM

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Hey...WOW! I'm excited to get so many responses!

Paula...you're making me blush...thanks for the compliment...most people just think I'm crazy...LOL! I actually have pictures of my glider/flyer room in the cage gallery on GC, but the gallery hasn't been working for sometime now. I think I might load some pictures up to my Photobucket account. If I do, I will send you the link. Also, for the CD...it's really up to you. I got the Rainforest/Waterfall CD at Target and ordered the American Wilds CD online for like $1.00 through Half.com. Classical music is an option too...like lots have mentioned that they do already. I might actually pick up a "best of" CD for the glider/flyer room.

I like the water fountain idea next to the cage...that's a neat idea! As long as they wouldn't be tempted to chew on the cords or drink the water. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As far as the different sounds go...I've read several articles (written by biologists and animal behaviorists (with PhDs)) indicating that providing the sounds (or even shapes) of predators is healthy for the animal. It causes eustress in the animal. Eustress is a healthy form of stress for animals when experienced in small amounts. Here's a good explanation: Eustress vs. Distress. Granted, they should not hear/see these things non-stop...but I play the CDs on repeat...and the owls are only a small portion (a few "hoos") of the CD.

Quite frankly, I haven't noticed that any of them seemed afraid...even the flyers...who have far many more predators than the sugar gliders do. The bird and insect sounds are very pleasant and the gliders and flyers run around and play as usual. Now, if I could just get a misting system installed...ha ha ha! Just kidding...only if I win the lotto!

Here is an excellent article on Environmental Enrichment with a substantial list of Environmental Enrichment Techniques. Of course not all of them pertain to sugar gliders, but a lot of them do...or a variation of the method can be used.

Managing Animal Behavior Through Environmental Enrichment

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83919
02/19/06 07:34 PM
02/19/06 07:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,640
Mims, Florida, USA
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Katiedid, what an incredible article. I think the Eustress that you are talkin about is what I have heard called a mild stress factor. The owl on the recording is a great mild stress as long as it is not on all the time. When they hear it all the time they become used to it and it no longer gives the effect that you are looking for. Some of the things I do is switch pouches and toys of rival colonies. Place food where they will have to work for it. Also you can turn crickets loose in a reptarium for them to catch. A cat or a dog walking by the cage might cause a mild stress. But if the Cat or dog walks by all the time the gliders get used to it and it no longer works. I think the thing is, to do something different all the time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for sharing that article. I will absorb every word.

Last edited by hushpuppy; 02/19/06 07:40 PM.

Anita Rae
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Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83920
02/19/06 07:53 PM
02/19/06 07:53 PM

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That's really cool! I think I'm going to install a stereo system in my glider room when I have enough money! I could have speakers on each corner of the room or something.

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83921
02/19/06 08:08 PM
02/19/06 08:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,640
Mims, Florida, USA
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hmmm, a few more. allow them to have a whole walnut. If they get discouraged with it, put a small hole in it.


Toss a live bug in front of them and watch them pounce on it. June bugs are great for this.

If you live in an area where no sprays are used. Catch some moths and release them in a reptarium for a hunt.

In warm weather, freeze some bugs or treats in a popcycle and hang it in the cage. Yep you gotta put a plate or a towle under it to catch the dripping,

OK, I will shut up now. hehe, Enrichment is just a subject that I can't seem to get enough of.


Anita Rae
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Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83922
02/19/06 11:39 PM
02/19/06 11:39 PM

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Anita...I just love your ideas...they're so great!!!

One idea that I thought was really cool in the article was to drill holes in a large dowel and put acacia gum in the holes...so it would be kinda like it was in the wild. I mixed up some acacia gum the other night...Pepper and Abby ate it...Aesop didn't touch it...we'll see. I'll have to try the dowel thing! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83923
02/22/06 12:51 AM
02/22/06 12:51 AM

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My mom asked me about putting a cd in my room for luna to enjoy and i said the same thing to her about the predator sounds and everything, but if its good for them then heck yes ill go for it. I was also thinking about the whole bonding situation and how you should talk to your animals, why not make your own cd of your voice to soothe the gliders? I know talking to luna makes things a lot easier when trying to do something a little difficult like trimming nails and such, but as i start to talk to her she falls right asleep. Just a thought , but im glad that someone asked about this, i would have felt silly asking about it too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> guess i was wrong

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83924
02/22/06 03:54 AM
02/22/06 03:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 571
Jacksonville, FL
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Jacksonville, FL
Ah, I actually asked about this topic not that long ago and didn't get many responces!!! I was wondering about classical music and gliders. Glad to see this thread because now my questions are pretty much answered!


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Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83925
02/22/06 12:06 PM
02/22/06 12:06 PM
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Posts: 3,008
Williamsburg, VA & Whg, WV
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Here's my question on this topic.

How do gliders know to be afraid of the owl or bird sound if they weren't taught to be?
Who here has a glider that came from the wild and knows about predators?


Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming
WOOOO HOOOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!


Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83926
02/22/06 03:39 PM
02/22/06 03:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,800
St. Johns, Florida
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St. Johns, Florida
They know to be afraid by pure instinct. There are some things all living creatures just know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />


Peggy
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If you want to know what a person is like, watch how he treats others.

You'll never know what the outcome is if you don't step up and try.

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83927
02/22/06 04:38 PM
02/22/06 04:38 PM

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>.> <.< Mine get Celtic music by Loreena McKinnet...Her vocal and instrumental music is beautiful and they seem to like ti.

Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83928
02/25/06 02:45 AM
02/25/06 02:45 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 570
Peoria, Illinois
uhoh Offline
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Peoria, Illinois
question about the walnut.. it sounds like a great idea but is it safe for gliders? I know that tree branches from walnut trees are no no's.
Something interesting about the natural instict thing. At the Illinios gathering Gliderz5 had some finger puppets in our goodie bags. One was a little snowman. My glider is scared of it and runs and hides but peek a boo's it. The other one is a *huge* lady bug.. this he jumps on and swats with his hand and bites. This was all in the same evening and I thought it was just so interesting that he had the killer instinct towards the bug even though he's never had a bug to eat before.


Becci

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83929
02/25/06 11:30 AM
02/25/06 11:30 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297
Quincy, IL
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Quincy, IL
Becci, I'm glad he's enjoying his "bug" I don't know about the walnuts. I've never given them to my guys.... We've got a black walnut tree in our backyard & I know from personal experience that the shells on those puppies are hard as rocks & my poor kids have enough trouble with their teeth as it is (well at least Nickers does)


Chris
Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy
AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties

:rbridge: My Angels: You are always in my heart.

You've flown to the rainbow
and wait there for me
Someday I will join you
together to be


Re: Environmental Enrichment: Sounds [Re: ] #83930
02/28/06 12:01 PM
02/28/06 12:01 PM

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I did do a study on music... you can view an overview here:

http://www.glidersanonymous.com/musiceffects.html

since others had done experiements with classical I chose other music types.... results are different than i expected..

I haven't done this recently with my other gliders... but have been debating it once i have more time... doing it in my glider room now that they are all in one location.


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