Odd Man Out

The second attempt at introduction on July 4 went a little better than earlier in the week. Sprite  finally overcame her apprehension with Foehn which was good to see. Unfortunately CB and Sprite were not getting along. They avoided each other while I had them in the in the bathroom and there was only one minor tussle. We decided to put them all in the large cage in hopes that this was a "pecking order" issue and that they would get worked it out. The first night was very active (we had a bavy monitor set up) and we could hear the chasing and crabbing. In the morning CB was sitting in a small toy at the bottom of the cage instead of a pouch. We are using a set of three open pouches in the cage instead of the typical pocket-type pouch. These allow the gliders to see their environment and keeps them from getting defensive about their sleeping area. However, apparently CB didn't feel secure in any of them. Foehn, Rossby, and Sprite were together in one of the pouches. CB looked pretty forlorn, and he certainly wasn't sleeping.  M decided that he needed some security and carried him around in a pouch all day so he could sleep without worrying.

The second night was a little better, but CB didn't settle down until after 8:00 a.m., again in a pouch by himself. As soon as he heard me come out into the room he was up and on the side of the cage. I took him out for a few minutes and then put him back in his pouch. Yesterday was cage cleaning day, and when the cage is cleaned we usually hang their pouch in the bathroom with the door closed. Yesterday we had CB join Foehn and Rossby in one pouch and kept Sprite in a separate one, so CB was able to relax and get some much needed sleep.

Last night were had them all in the office for play time, and CB made it a point to avoid Sprite. Unfortunately she was making it a point to look for him. There was chasing and some balling up, a lot of crabbing, but no damage. He spent a lot of time in M's shirt, one of his favorite napping spots. Once she went to bed, however, he was out in the room with the rest of them. He would climb to the top of the climbing tree to keep a lookout. If he saw her coming he would jump to my shoulder. Eventually they all settled down and I put them back in the cage. It was actually quiet as they all headed for their respective pouches, CB by himself again. That's where I found him this morning, sort of sleeping with one eye open. So, I took Foehn out of the pouch with Sprite and Rossby and placed her in the pouch with CB. He immediately jumped out. I picked him up and held him near Foehn, and as soon as he realized it was his sister they both snuggled down and slept soundly the rest of the day.

We are not quite use what to do at this point, and we are seeking some advice from more experienced glider owners we know.