Introducing 2 Gliders
The ideas from this page have been sent in by many, many
people,
it is a collaberated page where info is shared and stored
by and for glider owners of every caliber.
To introduce 2 gliders
for whatever reasons require just as much, if not more patience sometimes
than earning trust and bonding. The most successful methods, are listed
below, but keep in mind, that sometimes it just doesn't work out.. Introductions
may take some time, do NOT try to rush this. This is NOT for colony breeding
purposes.
Below are some worse case scenarios that we have read
about, experienced, the risks are high..
1. A glider may die from fighting with a newly introduced
glider.
2. A glider may get seriously injured and require medical
treatment.
3. A young female glider will get raped by a sexually
mature male
4. A bonded glider doesn't always teach the other to
bond, The bonded glider may dump you for it's new mate.
5. A separate cage will be needed, and sometimes separate
rooms to insure safety.
6. They may never get along, some gliders love being
the only one. Your glider may be set in their ways and resent an intruder.
7. When introducing gliders, keep this thought
in mind - You picked their friend for them, how would you react if your
parents did that for you, and you didn't like the person?
What is first???
First try to allow them to play together in a neutral room,
one where neither has marked, and that neither has claimed to be theirs.
Be prepared to separate if fighting does break out. While you try to separate
them you will most likely get bitten, and it may be a vicious bite or series
of bites. If this happens, you MUST separate them. If you must separate
them then you will need to follow some or all of the below methods. If
they seem to get along, go to the section called PLACEMENT...
Some things you DON'T want to do..
1. Do not just throw them into an existing cage and hope
they get along, be sure you have kept them quarantined for 2 weeks prior
to any new introductions, or have a though exam done by a vet, including
feces.
2. Do NOT allow them to fight it out.
3. Never place a baby in with an adult
4. Never place an immature female with a sexually mature
male.
5. Do not think getting another glider will calm an aggressive
glider.
6. Never place an un neutered adult male in with another
adult male.
There are things you can try, but none come with guarantees..
You already know they will fight, don't try putting them
together till you see some signs of them at least tolerating each
other, 1 may KILL the other..It is not worth the life of a glider to find
out these things can and MAY happen.
Methods
a. place their cages near each other, a foot apart.
b. swap out their beds each night.
c. swap their toys and food bowls as well.
d. place a sheet over both cages so they are locked with each
others scent.
e. putting some vanilla or peppermint extract on each glider before letting
them out to play, that way, they smell the same..
f. place their cages in a neutral room, where neither has been.
g. swap their cages, see how they react to that..
when you hear them clicking to each other, then you know they
are talking..LOL much like a old married couple in therapy..LOL
Placement
I would highly suggest when placing the two in the same cage
for the first time, to put them into a neutral cage, one that neither has
"claimed" as theirs. Place 2 new pouches or nest boxes, 2 water containers,
and 2 food bowls at different heights, and opposite sides of the cages,
so they can sleep , eat and drink separate in case there is one that is
more dominate and won't allow the other to eat, drink or sleep. Do not
add toys or clutter the cage so if need be, you can get to them easier
and they have room to avoid each other. Simply washing the items WILL NOT
remove all the scents. A faint smell of the glider that used it will remain
even after washing. You don't want either glider to feel superior, they
both must feel they are actually invading the others territory.. As time
goes on, you can slowly start add toys. ONLY after you KNOW they
have accepted each other. Even after the introduction has taken place,
please monitor their weight as well as being absolutely postive that one
glider is not stopping the other from eating or drinking. If you see one
force the other out of the bowl, chase them off, or one gain more weight
than the other. PLEASE add a second feeding station on opposite sides of
the cage.
