Bonding

It is important to socialize with pet sugar gliders.  Sugar gliders are naturally very social creatures, so the more you interact with them, the more they will accept you into their "colony".  An important aspect of humans socializing with sugar gliders is referred to as "bonding".  Although bonding occurs whenever you are in contact with the sugar glider, their is a special technique that I learned about.  This technique involves holding the sugar glider in one hand and having them wrap all four of their feet around your thumb.

Here's Tinki bonding with me.

Another way to bond with sugar gliders is to put them in one of their pouches and tuck the pouch into your shirt.  By doing this you keep the sugar gliders warm and also they are near you so they will be inhaling your scent which helps then recognize you.

Here are Tinki and Telly snuggled into their bonding pouch.

Snuggle Buddies

One of my favorite things about Tinki and Telly is their love of snuggling.  Sugar gliders are nocturnal, so when I take Tinki and Telly out of their cage during the day, there is nothing they like better than to curl up in a ball and nap on me.  Since they are so tiny, they have found some very interesting, but snuggly places to curl up in.

For instance in my shirt!

Telly waving for the camera. 

Sugar gliders are marsupials, so they naturally love places that remind them of their mother's pouch. Baby sugar gliders only spend about two and half weeks in utero, so it is essential that they live in their mother's pouch until they are developed enough to make it on their own.  To promote bonding between pet sugar gliders and their owners, Pocket Pets sells pouches that simulate this close relationship, where sugar gliders can take a nap while they pouch hangs around their owner's neck. Tinki and Telly each have their own pouches, but prefer to snuggle in the same pouch.

The Pocket Pet pouches.

Telly in his pouch.

Tinki being camera shy in Telly's pouch.