Hi everyone. One week ago I got a 15 wk old female glider. I am sooo excited and I love her so much! But, being new to gliders, I've looked to the internet for tips. One piece of advice I saw a lot of is never to get just one. So I felt awful, I've been stay up all night talking to Zoey, she has a safe wheel, toys, hammocks, etc. I haven't put my hand in her cage, but have given her fruit and veg thru the bars and put my scent on lots of stuff in there.
Second mistake I think I made is putting a winter sock in there, I put it on the inside of a plastic hamster igloo, and she chose that as her nest. I've tried to get her out to put her in a bonding bag unsuccessfully, she crabbed the whole time. Now I've been told to get rid of the sock, since I have many other options for a nest, including the pouch that was in the box that we drove her home in. They told me she will always go to the sock bc it's the darkest place, and it'll hinder bonding. Please HELP! Any advice appreciated. Is a single glider ok when I'm there 24/7? Get rid of the sock/place she chose to sleep????
HELP!

I copied everything from you "new post to here. Sorry we haven't responded before now, but our forum has been a little slow.


So a sock isn't safe. Their nails can get trapped in the loose threads on the inside of the sock and can be very dangerous.

I would use the sleeping pouch she came with .

It is very important for her to have a friend. They are colony animals. Another female or neutered male about her age would be best. We recommend a quarantine time of 30 days if you find one from a different source. Both should have a well check and fecals now and again after 30 days.

As far as bonding with her, it's important to spend time with her. You can interact with her with a natural feather (not dyed, could be toxic) or a straw. kind of a tug of war type of play.

The internet has a lot of misinformation. Most of it is outdated. I'll need to ask a few questions:

What diet did you choose?

Is her pouch made of doubled fleece with stitches tight and no thread showing?

Do you have a glider safe wheel made specifically for sugar gliders? (It shouldn't have a center axle). Many places will advertise that they have safe wheels. At this point there are only 2 sources that have designed and built wheels specifically for gliders:


https://www.myfreerunner.com/

https://www.mygliderwheelsandmore.com/

Both are pricey, but they will last a very long time (Did you know glider lifespan is 10 - 15+ years?)

I'm going to stop there and let you catch up and give you a chance to answer and ask more questions.


Again, so glad you're here!

Yes, the wheel was very expensive and has no center axle, it was made for gliders it's very big I was surprised she could push it lol. I will look into a friend for her now. Thank you. My concern now is the sock it is fleece. No stitches she can snag on I made sure when setting up before getting her. But now I'm being told get rid of it bc she can't peek out. Her diet is pretty pets glider food, plus so far apple banana and carrot offered mango but she didn't want any. I'm open to any suggestions about anything from diet to bonding?

Back to the sock for a sec tho? It's made of fleece not a sock you'd wear with shoes or anything more like a slipper. I looked at the sock that goes with it and surprisingly there don't appear to be any stitches on the inside where she goes or anything she could snag on. It looks like it'd be a great pouch if that were it's purpose. I was told the main issue with the sock is that it's so dark in there and that'll always be her first choice for that reason. I just feel bad taking away something that she sleeps in every day, but it's also hard for me to get her out of it. I tried once, and she was crabbing a lot so I gave up. Could this end up doubling as her bonding pouch? I can take the whole thing out with her in it. But I am open to getting rid of it if that is what's best.
She never crabs at all, she plays with me a lot, and she has her first appointment with vet Monday. We are looking for a friend now.

Thank u in advance for any more advice