How Do I Get My Sugar Glider to Stop Biting?

Sugar gliders, small marsupials from Australia and popular pets, forage for food in nature and often explore with their noses and mouths. As a result, they may nip you at times when they are your pets. They also go through a ̶0;teenage stage̶1; in which they like to bite and taste things, which could easily be your finger or an earlobe. While these bites don̵7;t usually hurt, they can take you by surprise. If your sugar glider tends to bite, there are ways to train him to refrain from biting.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take time to bond with your sugar glider every day for the best results. This is the most important step to working with your glider on any level. Bonding with him will build trust. Talking to him while you hold him will also allow him to learn your voice. When you develop a good relationship with him, he will be more apt to respond to reinforcement.

    • 2

      Recognize that some "bites" are normal behavior. When your glider becomes accustomed to you, he will probably start to groom you with his mouth as an expression of affection. These bites will not hurt and are usually accompanied with licking. This is a normal, healthy reaction and you shouldn̵7;t discipline your glider for this.

    • 3

      Feed your glider regularly with a variety of fruits, vegetables and proteins and make sure the glider has plenty of toys because sugar gliders may bite if they are bored or hungry. A plastic running ball made for hamsters will keep your glider occupied and safe. Some toys made for birds keep gliders entertained for hours.

    • 4

      Reward your glider̵7;s good behavior with treats; this will teach him the difference between good and bad behavior.

    • 5

      Teach your glider with negative reinforcement. When your glider bites, return him to his cage immediately. Leave him alone for a few minutes and return to normal activities. The next times he bites, return him to the cage again and repeat this every time he bites. Eventually, he will associate the biting with the negative reinforcement and learn not to bite because it causes him to be alone.