nippy

[CookieMonster]

one of my girls is a bit nippy, i dont think its in an agressive way but it still hurts a bit, how do i stop her from doin it??

[Rhianna]

is it a slow action bite? could be just tasting your fingers. My new male is a nightmare for this. he even "plays" with my fingers trying to nip them. doesnt hurt, just abit of a shock.

Perseverance is the best way. Rewarding him when he doesnt nip, dont put him away when he does nip though. that will only encourage him to misbehave to get his own way.

[CookieMonster]

yeah it is slow but after she does it once, she carries on? doing more slow ones. and its not just when i offer my hand, like if i have them crawling on my body, she'l be walking on my shirt fine but then if she reaches a bit of skin on my arms or something, then she'l nip???

I was trying to get her to stop tonight, like i was putting my hand near her but cos it hurts a bit i didnt actually manage to let her bite me even though i think thats what i should do

[Rhianna]

hmmm, sounds like she may be smelling or tasting something on you that 1-she is unsure of and feels she needs to bite to get the answer *rolls eyes* or she has found a smell or a taste on you that smells nice and wants to learn more.

In the wild, gliders would drink sap from trees by licking it, but then when the sap is all licked up, they will bite at where the sap is coming from to get more out. Thats why if you let them lick yogurt off for finger always try and pull away before they lick it all up, otherwise a sharp nip is followed shortly after. this is more to do with trying to get more of the nice taste/smell more then aggression.

Something you could try is not handling them after a bath or if you have been wearing perfume or body lotion. sounds like its something to do with your skin, and either she is not used to the smell of your skin yet, or there is something you are using that smells quite irresistible to her. you could also put a used bit of clothing (not a sock) like an old tshirt you have been wearing for a couple of days, so it has your scent on it, and pop it in the cage with them. then they are getting used to your smell, making you smell less weird to them....

i wouldnt let her bite you. it will achieve nothing, except for a bite. And then you are showing her that she can bite you.

[CookieMonster]

right ok, well iv had them for maybe half a year now, and since i first got them, they have been sleeping in a sweaty top (mmm nice) and i take them out alot and have them in my jumpers etc so it cant be because they don't know my smell?

so is there no way of stopping her from biting? or am i just too yummy for her lol

[Rhianna]

how old are they aswell? some youngsters can be a little nippy but grow out of it. Although saying that, i do have a 5 year old who occasionally nips but not often. he just a bad egg.

i would still go for your smell. do you wear body lotions or anything?

[CookieMonster]

i got them at a year old and nah i dont wear any lotions or potions lol, i wear perfume and deodrant but not on my hands only on my upper body? and she doesnt bite my armpits or upper body, just when she finds a bit of skin?