I'm really quite frightened of him!!

[Gopher]

I know it's totally pathetic but I'm frightened of Plop!!

I've not had him long so it's possibly just a case of letting him settle in and get used to each others smells and noises but any tips would be hugely appreciated.

I don't disturb him when he's asleep because I finally found out what "crabbing" is and I'm convinced he'd bite me if I tried to pick him up when he's asleep!! But when he's out and about he's happy to come to the front of the cage and talk to me but if I open the door he backs away.

I tried to give him a yoghurt drop last night but I lost my nerve first and dropped it on the floor of the cage  do you think he'll bite me? He smelt the drop then tried to sniff me and I panicked 

Any tips??

Will he bite me do you think??

I don't (really) want to pick him up and cuddle him I'd just like to interact with him a little more...............

[Amalthea]

They do have quite an impressive bite, but if you are nervous, take it slow. Keep trying to give him treats by hand.  Yes, he will sniff you, but that's how he gets to know you.  Licky treats are a great way to bond.  Dip your finger in yogurt or something like that and let him lick it off and just watch for when it's nearly gone, he may start to nibble, so add more yogurt

[Marie]

TBH, if you're worried about biting I wouldn't bother with the licky treats - I'm a bit undecided about them anyway because I sometimes wonder if it encourages them to bite?  It is a highly recommended method of bonding in the US, but I've had suggies grab hold of my finger, so if they've got me how can I take my finger away without struggling? 

Crabbing isn't always a war cry, they do it when they're startled or afraid also.  So if you've startled him by waking him up then it's because he's startled.   

Until you have built your confidence up a little, try giving him larger items such as a piece of fruit so it keeps your fingers away from the bitey end. 

And just for the record ... crabbing STILL makes me jump now!!!!   

[Rhianna]

i know what you mean Marie! i hate it when they lick my fingers when ive had something on incase when the taste is all gone, they bite thinking more will come out! lol

Myn dont crab no more, more like, grumble! lol They're too lazy for a full blown crab. Takes too much energy for them! haha x

[Gopher]

okay that's all very reassuring thank you - I didn't think the crabbing was aimed directly AT me just a general disturbed noise!! I've been walking round with him in his pouch this afternoon and he's quite happy for me to pet him through the material which is a start.

I've read (on your site Marie) to put something tasty on the back of my hand, I've done this with "vicious" ratties before and it usually works without blood being drawn so I might give that a go.

I've glider-proofed the room his cage is in so tonight I'm going to leave his cage door open and see if he comes to me 

Thanks for all your help, I have to admit in all the years I've had animals I've never met anything quite like a sugar glider!

Oh and what is loud hooting?? He was doing this for a short while last night and then I found the rabbit opposite him was thumping in her cage and he was "hooting" so it sounded like they'd upset each other 

[Amalthea]

The "hoot" is their bark It can mean a few different things, but if the rabbit was thumping, as well, it's probably a startled noise Just make sure you don't start coming to him everytime he does it, cuz they can get us trained very quickly to come running with tasties to shut them up Mine bark quite a bit around the full moon, as well.

[roxyandboys]

they are lovely little critters, and yes, they can have a nasty bite on them, if you're worried about him nipping at your fingers when holding out a treat you could pop the treat on the palm of your hand, hold your hand out flat and you'll find he might start to rest his paws on you, eventually sitting on your hand.  Other methods are to have out of cage time with him, although i'd start off in a confined small place, he'll start you using you as a climbing post, getting used to you all the time, as you are already doing, carrying him around in his pouch will soon get him comfortable with you.  Sounds like you are as unsure of him as he is of you, try not to startle him to much as any animal will lash out if they feel threatened or scared, i think most animals can sense fear in us humans and react accordingly, sometimes a confident but gentle hand can work wonders.

[Gopher]

well I can only say one thing......"too late" lol Plop now barks at me every night 8.15pm almost on the dot - I wish I'd seen this sooner!!

The problem was it's almost impossible NOT to go running when they do something that (to us) sounds like sheer panic.

I'm still not able to touch Plop but he comes really close and isn't at all worried about me doing things in his cage while he's in there - I think both of us are growing in confidence YEY!!

[jungleflockmom]

You might prolong the carrying around in the pouch since it seems to be working. If you let him out, you might do so in a small children's tent or a very small space so that he will be easy to get into the cage. Offering treats through the cage bars just identifies you as a great source of delicious things.

I agree that taking things slowly is a good way of avoiding bites.

[Beki]

There is an excellent piece on bonding and getting to know your glider on the Shropshire Exotics site. Very informative. Hope this helps!