thelionsof
09-04-06, 01:13 PM 09-04-06
I just joined the boards, but by no means am I new to keeping animals, let alone gliders. A few years ago, I had a fostering train going around between me and several friends. It was in the middle of the big pocket pet hype a few years ago when you could find agitated sugar gliders at every pet store and everyone bought them without knowing a thing about their care. So, I ended up with a lot of animals that didn't want you to handle them, were fed seed mix, and were expected to be awake during the day...it was a lot of hard work, after I placed the seventh one in a good home I called it quits.
Now, here I am being the adoptee. A few months ago I acquired a gorgeous five-year-old female glider, Banshee. I was worried that she would need even more time bonding than the average glider, because of her age, having two prior owners, etc. Well, I showed up at her old owner's home and we immediately hit it off. She came out to sniff my "smell cloth" and was taking treats from my hand within the first twenty minutes. No crabbing, nothing. The old owner couldn't handle her, and the prior owners were a family with small children, so they basically just threw seed mix in the cage and left her be.
So, I brought Banshee home. Her cage had this terribly musky smell, that smelled of bad nutrition and cedar chips. I cleaned out the cage and mixed up my own modified leadbeaters. She came out and sat on my lap as I fed her by the spoon and finger to help the bond. By the time we got around to the mealworm/yogurt parfait (a yummy desert I make for my rats, as well) she was leaning back on me like a lounge chair licking her paws clean. The next day, she was pouched around the house, then that night she had her first explore of the room...and of me. She now automatically jumps in the pouch if I place if in front of her, the smell has gone, she shows no fear of me and curls up in my hand to nap. To this day, I have not heard her crabbing, at all. She barked the second night, but that's it. She even visited my rats cage and they sniffed each other between the bars...I've since put my mice and rats in the bathroom when Banshee has explore time...just to be on the safe side for all parties involved.
This is extremely long, sorry. :) So, me in a nutshell. I'm 26 years old, a single mom to a six-year-old girl, and engaged to a wonderful guy. I'm working on my Masters degree. We're moving to Nashville in a few months, so hopefully I'll be finishing my degree at Vanderbilt Uni. I have three pet rats (Penelope, Fable, and Starwish), a Yorkshire terrier (Tucker), and of course, Banshee the glider. I also keep saltwater reef tanks, and I'm fostering some fancy mice at the moment.
I keep myself busy with my family, pets, and school...but I find time for my sewing, photography, indie rock band, and to design my first clothing line. I also like painting, fishing, and hiking. I like to keep pretty busy...and my household is oddly harmonious because of it. :)
I'll be looking for another female glider in the near future because I'd like to give Banshee a companion. I was going to wait until we had bonded proper before looking for another glider that I had to work with, but that bonding time went fairly quick. She deserves a playpal and cuddle pal. :)
Here are a few pictures of her as brownie points for anyone that actually read all of that...hahah
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7717.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7681copy.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7684copy.jpg
(Note: Banshee does NOT like the *beep beep beeeep* sound my camera makes heh)
Glad to be here,
Kimber
Now, here I am being the adoptee. A few months ago I acquired a gorgeous five-year-old female glider, Banshee. I was worried that she would need even more time bonding than the average glider, because of her age, having two prior owners, etc. Well, I showed up at her old owner's home and we immediately hit it off. She came out to sniff my "smell cloth" and was taking treats from my hand within the first twenty minutes. No crabbing, nothing. The old owner couldn't handle her, and the prior owners were a family with small children, so they basically just threw seed mix in the cage and left her be.
So, I brought Banshee home. Her cage had this terribly musky smell, that smelled of bad nutrition and cedar chips. I cleaned out the cage and mixed up my own modified leadbeaters. She came out and sat on my lap as I fed her by the spoon and finger to help the bond. By the time we got around to the mealworm/yogurt parfait (a yummy desert I make for my rats, as well) she was leaning back on me like a lounge chair licking her paws clean. The next day, she was pouched around the house, then that night she had her first explore of the room...and of me. She now automatically jumps in the pouch if I place if in front of her, the smell has gone, she shows no fear of me and curls up in my hand to nap. To this day, I have not heard her crabbing, at all. She barked the second night, but that's it. She even visited my rats cage and they sniffed each other between the bars...I've since put my mice and rats in the bathroom when Banshee has explore time...just to be on the safe side for all parties involved.
This is extremely long, sorry. :) So, me in a nutshell. I'm 26 years old, a single mom to a six-year-old girl, and engaged to a wonderful guy. I'm working on my Masters degree. We're moving to Nashville in a few months, so hopefully I'll be finishing my degree at Vanderbilt Uni. I have three pet rats (Penelope, Fable, and Starwish), a Yorkshire terrier (Tucker), and of course, Banshee the glider. I also keep saltwater reef tanks, and I'm fostering some fancy mice at the moment.
I keep myself busy with my family, pets, and school...but I find time for my sewing, photography, indie rock band, and to design my first clothing line. I also like painting, fishing, and hiking. I like to keep pretty busy...and my household is oddly harmonious because of it. :)
I'll be looking for another female glider in the near future because I'd like to give Banshee a companion. I was going to wait until we had bonded proper before looking for another glider that I had to work with, but that bonding time went fairly quick. She deserves a playpal and cuddle pal. :)
Here are a few pictures of her as brownie points for anyone that actually read all of that...hahah
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7717.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7681copy.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/twostellablu/glider/DSCN7684copy.jpg
(Note: Banshee does NOT like the *beep beep beeeep* sound my camera makes heh)
Glad to be here,
Kimber