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Any two gliders should be carefully
introduced to each other because first impressions are lasting; even
with gliders. There are a number of ways to go about doing this
properly, but there are two methods that I favor. One takes about
a week or less and the other takes two to three weeks to implement.
Although gliders under normal
circumstance don't injure each other caution should be used when
introducing gliders because it is impossible to reliably predict how
they will respond to each other. For two gliders that don't have any
obvious antagonism toward each other the shorter method will probably
work just fine, but for two gliders that are openly antagonistic to each
other I would definitely recommend the longer method.
Also, as a point of information:
under no circumstances should an adult glider be housed with a joey that
is unknown to it. Adult gliders, both male and female, have been known
to antagonize joeys to the point of sending them into shock and that
often leads to death. If you have situation like this get used to the
idea that it will be necessary to house them separately, to ensure the
safety of the joey, until the joey is old enough to fend off this kind
of behavior. That means that joey will need to be at least six to seven
months old before it is safe. You should allow the glider and the joey
to spend supervised time around each other so that they bond with each
other and you.
Method #1:
If you bring the gliders near each
other and there seems to be no open antagonism, and you see curiosity
rather than aggression, you can try introducing them. You
should find neutral territory to do this so that territorial instinct
does not become an issue. One idea is to sit or stand and put them on
you: say one on a shoulder and the other on an arm. You want them to see
each other but you don't want to put them so close that either feels
threatened. Then you allow them discover, approach, and meet each other.
Watch their reactions as they find each other to see if you see
curiosity or aggression. If that goes well I would continue to allow
them to be around each other but I would not immediately start housing
them together. It is important to remember they will been spending quite
a bit of time together when you are not around to intervene. It is
always better to error on the side of caution.
You should still house the gliders
in separate cages, but put the cages near enough to each other that they
can see and smell each other, but too far for them to be able to reach
each other. That distance should be no less than 12 inches; gliders see
and smell very well. Believe me, if there is another glider anywhere in
your home your glider will likely know it. Leave them situated that way
for at least a few days if not a week to be sure that they
have accepted each other's presence and are on the road to bonding.
Method #2:
If you bring the gliders near each
other and there seems to be open antagonism then I would use this method
to try to get them to accept each other.
Note: For purposes of this method
of introduction it is better that the gliders are living in pouches in
their separate cages.
First, I would house them in
separate cages, but put the cages near enough to each other that they
can see and smell each other, but too far for them to be able to reach
each other. That distance should be no less than 12 inches; gliders see
and smell very well. I would leave them like that for a period of one
week or more.
Then I would switch
their pouches
so that each is living in the other's pouch. I would leave them in this
condition for another week or more.
Then I would try the above method
of introducing them while paying very close attention to their
reactions. If they respond to each other well I would spend a week
another week letting them spend time around each other outside the
cages, and I would leave their living arrangements as they are for the
additional week.
If all has been going well I would
wash one pouch and one cage and attempt to house them together. By this
time that have come to know each other and there shouldn't be a problem.
But in either case you want to
continue monitoring the new relationship for at least another two weeks
before you claim success. You may want to watch them eat to make sure
neither is being denied food. If necessary put two food bowls in the
cage on different levels or as far away from each other as you can get
them until things settles out.
Remember, it can take a couple of
days or a couple of weeks to do it right. Usually it's no big deal and
it happens without a lot of problems. But, you do want to be cautious
because getting it right the first time usually ensures that there are
no problems later.
I believe that in the end all
gliders tend to welcome the company so that odds are on your side that
it won’t be difficult to make the introductions.
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