Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A few weeks ago, I adopted a breeding pair of Sugar Gliders. The male is 8 months old and the female is 9 months old. At the moment, they have a little joey who just opened his eyes.
The other morning, a went down into the basement where they are and realized that the door was open! The male wasn't in the cage at all! I searched all day. Finally, at night, I went down and sat in the dark with a flashlight in my hand. Eventually the baby started to cry. I shined the flashlight at the cage and the male was on top of the cage! I slowly crept over and he started walking away. He was heading to a hole in the ground, where a pipe leads, so I dove at him and got him. But he was mad! He cried, bit and scratched me pretty good. I put him back in the cage. The problem was that one of the bars near the door was bent in a way that didn't catch the locks. I took care of it.
Here's the thing: these two were never friendly to me. They always yelled and bit when my hand entered the cage. I want to tame them, but will the male remember this incident and hold a grudge against me? Is there any hope of taming these two?

All I can say is GOOD LUCK!
I dont think he will hold a grudge on you for that incodent. But if they are that ill tempered and already of breeding age, then cahnces are they will not bond to you. Especially since they have already bonded to one another. IF you separated them and worked with them separately, then there MIGHT be a chance after months and months...maybe even taking a you a year of daily bondings, you might then be able to get somewhere. But as long as thier together forget it. However, separating them, could make them depressed too. You will be working with one while the other is sitting in its cage all alone. And probably be crying out for its mate. It is a hard juggle.
If you want to do it with them both in the same cage, about the closest youll ever get to bonding is maybe having them eat out of your hand. And nipping you a good many times too. lol
I personally would keep the baby, bond with it good, and when its old enopugh separate it and form a tight bond with it. Then if you want, you can neuter your male (assuming the baby is female, otherwise neuter them both!) and you can put the baby back in with the parents once you have that tight bond, and hopefully when they see the baby loving you and not being hurt by you each day they will warm up to you and get curious. OR if neutering is not an option in your mind, you can even place the baby in a cage right next to the parents so they can still see everything that is going on and keep the little one company while you are sleeping.
Just a few ideas. hope they help.

Wow! Those're great ideas!
I suppose I'll just let them stay together. Their happiness and contentment is more important than my wanting to play with them.
Thanks for all the help!

No prob. Glad to help.
Just remember, if you do let them stay together you will need the male(s) fixed to prevent inbreeding. Inbreeding in gliders...as with any animal I suppose leads to all kinds of nasty problems.