Glider Proofing a Room
So you want to Glider Proof a room for your fluffy friends
A few simple pieces of information I have learnt since having my gliders in their own rooms
1) Gliders do not have bladder control like you and me, so will go where ever they feel the need. I advise lino for flooring it’s easy to keep clean and prevents the nasty smells that could appear on the carpets in a warm room.
2) They like to throw their food, mine take great pleasure in throwing it at me when they are trying to tell me not to give them that specific food item again, the walls will need to be cleaned quite regularly to stop bacteria and other nasties from the food items, I find paint is the best thing for your walls its easy to clean down. Our gliders also loved trying to glide and jump on wallpaper and peel it off.
3) most rooms have radiators these get very very hot so either turn them off or get a protective cover to stop your gliders getting behind or directly on top of (make sure this cover has small holes its amazing how small a hole gliders can squeeze into), this will prevent burns, the cover will also allow you to use the radiator and keep the room at a nice temperature for your gliders.
4) Lots of rope, branches, logs and toys, if you live near a port have a friendly chat to some of the workmen see if they have any old fishing nets (the huge rope style nets) and some rope its brilliant for the gliders to run and glide from and the net is a brilliant safety net to prevent the glider from falling too far.
5) Ceiling light: we had a real issue with our glider room at first, the light shade was getting shredded and we couldn’t work out how they were getting on it, if you think there’s a change the gliders will get to the ceiling light I recommend a nice light fitting that is flush with the ceiling or at least does not hang to stop the gliders from jumping on it and possibly smashing the bulb or burning themselves.
6) Pouches pouches everywhere, well maybe not pouches but lots of places for them to sleep, a room will have a bigger temperature gradient than a cage and some areas you think are adequate for your glider pouch or nest box will not suit them, give them an option and let them decide where they want to sleep.
7) Curtains: they will be climbed on poo'd on and peed on, they will get grubby very very quickly but you need something to keep the cool air out and stop the glider from thinking the window is freedom, roller blinds are a good alternative, or two sets of curtains so you can clean one set while the other set is up.
Cool Plug sockets, this is very important and I would highly recommend it’s followed to some extent. Get some child proof plug socket covers as you may be one of the unlucky few that have a very nosey glider that decides to stick a tongue or foot in the socket, its better to be safe than sorry!
9) Electrical wires, as you have your gliders in this room all the time it’s a very good idea to turn off anything electrical in that room except while you are there, remove everything it’s safer for you and the glider, not all gliders chew but some might give it a try!
9A) Just to extend on the electricals a little bit, remember there is always a chance a glider could get out of their rooms, so make sure all equipment as much as possible is turned off while you are out, this includes things easily forgotten like our paper shredders, bed side lamps, food blenders and anything that could potentially cause your gliders harm, I get into the habit of keeping all doors in my house closed while I am away and the rooms connected to my glider room (hallway) is completely bare and all sockets are covered with child safety cover.
10) Human furniture: if you have chairs beds sofas or anything else in your room which is either padded or fluffy they may well get inside, its and ideal nesting or sleeping area, whatever you do, do not panic wait until that night and then remove the item once your gliders are awake, that way you will not cause harm to your glider by accident. Ideally do not put any padded furniture in the room unless you are there.
11) Over head fans: these fans are not something I would recommend putting on in the glider room. Lethal little blades or moving landing stations, they could cause your glider terrible harm. If you do have one in the room but do not intend to use it see if you can remove the blades to stop the gliders from using it as a gliding station. Check the area around it thoroughly, check for holes anywhere on it you do not want your glider getting in the ceiling or inside the motor.
12) Heaters and or air conditioning units: if you have these in the room screen around the unit to stop the gliders getting too close or inside. If its attached to the house your glider could even get outside through a tiny hole,
13) Feeding station: you want a couple of these one higher one lower, if you have joeys they spend a lot of time on the floor especially when they are learning to glide so a lower food station is easier for them, a higher one is great for your adults as most adults do not really go on the floor very much. Change and adapt the food stations to your own gliders.
14) Last of all Have Fun! Having a room just for them is great they bond so well to you, you can spend hours in their room without worrying about them getting places they shouldn’t be and I love it!
© Southwest Exotics 2007
