It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...

Occasional flashes of lightning and muffled rumbles of thunder filled the room as I brought all four gliders into the tent for their first "tent time" together.  I was a little apprehensive about how this would work out. I would have to keep track of four gliders climbing the walls of the tent, the artificial tree, and me to make sure there were no nasty encounters. Although they were all in the pouch together, they were sleeping,  and I wasn't sure how things were going to go when they were essentially up for their "day" and active. They were already stirring before we got into the tent, and they crawled out of the pouch without too much coaxing.  So far so good. This was a new experience for them, and they spent a few minutes checking things out. However, it wasn't long before the first dust-up occurred. Virga was sniffing Foehn, Foehn took exception and I had to break them up. Someone chomped down on my finger, and it hurt! No broken skin, though. There were a few more encounters, and on observation it was mostly Foehn who was taking exception to Virga (she gets along fine with Cirrus). Virga was actually jumping to my lap and arm when these happened, obviously a little scared.  I was now a little more than concerned about how the night would go. M had made a large pouch for them during the afternoon and I had washed the big cage, moved a second wheel into it, and we had set it up with the expectation all four would be living in it. Now I wasn't so sure that this was a good idea right off the bat.  As tent time wore on things calmed down some more and we decided that we'd go ahead with the cage arrangements. We also decided that we would stay up as long as we could to watch them and make sure things were under control.

There were a few more hisses and crabs between Virga and Foehn in the cage. Virga tended to stay off by herself and avoid Foehn and the others. Cirrus and CB would occasionally come over and check her out, but they were spending a lot of time on the wheels. In fact, I think Cirrus spent the first two hours almost continuously on the wheel. We thought they would all be exhausted after the serial introductions during the morning and afternoon, but apparently not. About 2:00 a.m. we decided to grab some sleep. M had put a blanket down on the family room floor, near the cage, and we went to sleep. We were close enough to intervene if needed.

M was awakened about 3:00 a.m. when she felt something on her face. It turned out it was little pieces watermelon. One of the gliders was apparently flinging their fruit outside of the cage on to her face about three feet away. I was unscathed. At that point things were quiet and decided to head for the comfort of our bed. When we woke up this morning all four of the gliders were in the large pouch. There was some hissing and crabbing at times as one of the gliders probably put a foot in the face of another as they squirmed to get comfortable, but otherwise everyone seemed to be getting along.

A Major Development

We made two previous attempts to introduce Virga and Cirrus to CB and Foehn. These attempts were made after many days of swapping pouches and blankets, and moving their cages near each other at night. Those first two attempts did not go well, with much defensiveness, crabbing, and one or two ball-ups. After that, M suggested that we try introducing them one at a time when we felt they were more acclimated to each other. Today was that day.

First up this morning were Cirrus and CB.  We introduced them in the bathroom tub since that is a neutral spot.  They tentatively approached each other and sniffed and neither seemed bothered. Cirrus complained once when CB was sniffing her, but within a few minutes they were fine and off running around the bathroom, climbing the shower curtain and gliding off.  Eventually we put a pouch on the floor and CB immediately climbed in (he wasn't too thrilled with having his sleep time disturbed), and not long after Cirrus followed.  There was some squirming around as they got comfortable, but they eventually settled in and went to sleep. Two down, two to go. 

After about an hour we roused Foehn from her pouch into the bathtub. We then turned Cirrus and CB into the tub along with Foehn. There was a little tension as they noticed each other. Cirrus cautiously approached Foehn and started sniffing, but Foehn, a little skittish, went after her and they ended up in a ball for a few seconds until I broke them up. Cirrus managed to chomp on my finger pretty good, but otherwise no harm was done. After they calmed down a bit I put my hands over both of them as they started sniffing each other out. They all are pretty familiar with my handling them from tent time, so having something familiar and secure seemed to help calm them down. After a couple of minutes of sniffing each other with one under each hand, Cirrus and Foehn jumped out of the tub and ran around the bathroom, both of them getting few glides from the shower rod, while CB crawled under the rug to get some rest. When they started to slow down we laid the pouch down again, and CB and Cirrus crawled in. Foehn followed, but then came out, not quite sure what to make of everything. After a few more minutes of running around she crawled in the pouch. Three down, one to go.

Foehn, CB, and Cirrus were hiding under the rug.

We waited several hours before introducing Virga, following the same routine as before. Last time we tried to introduce her she immediately assumed the defensive "ninja" position and that ended that. Today was better, Cirrus came out and went to her, with Foehn and CB close behind. Before they got to close to each other I placed my hand over Virga and Foehn to keep them calm, and it seemed to help. There was one brief tussle but it was pretty minor. All four of them were anxious to get out of the tub and play in the bathroom. Foehn and Virga had another encounter on the shower rod, but M was able to keep that from escalating. When it was time to wind things up, we put the pouch on the floor. CB, Cirrus, and Foehn crawled in. Virga tentatively followed. They were quiet for a minute or two, but then there was crabbing and hissing and I reached in to fish them all out. About five minutes later we tried again and they all crawled in the pouch. There was a lot of squirming, an occasional crab and hiss. As long as I kept my hand in the pouch things were calm - a security blanket, of sorts?  Right now all are all sound asleep in a large bonding pouch. The next step is tent time tonight. although after all of today's activity I don't think they will have much energy.

Back At It

I was gone all of last week so the gliders missed out on their tent time. M had them out in the afternoon for the "snack", but their brief time out isn't quite the same. Besides, they are still a little groggy then - it's about the middle of their sleep time. All four gliders have been happy to be back on schedule. Tonight was the ladies turn. Cirrus was especially active, running and climbing on the tent, the tree, and me. Virga in general isn't as active - maybe it's her age - but she was having a good time tonight.  She likes to climb on the back of my hand and "groom" my wrist. I'm not quite sure what that is all about. It's not like Cirrus, who licks me. Virga uses her teeth to "scrape" my skin, and occasionally she gets a little too much between her teeth and she pinches - hard. She seemed to have a particularly good time doing that tonight! They were still going strong after 90 minutes, but I decided to end it after Cirrus gave me a face hug and managed to get her back toe in my left nostril.

The Summer Doldrums

While sitting in the tent tonight waiting for Foehn and CB to become more active (they never did), I realized that it's been almost two weeks since I posted anything about the gliders. Too much going on with summer, work, and the long holiday weekend. I should have brought the laptop in the tent with me, but then this would have been a night where the "kids" would have been running and jumping all over the tent and me. It's interesting how they almost seem to alternate nights. One night they won't do much of anything, and the next time they are running all over the place and you don't want to end their fun. Tonight was not one of those nights. They spent most of their time either under the sheet that we put on the tent floor, or hanging out on their tree. I called it quits just short of an hour. They are back in their cage and someone (Foehn, probably) has been running in the wheel ever since. Go figure.

Virga and Cirrus don't seem to have this same cycle as Foehn and CB.  They are usually both active every night, with Cirrus the most energetic one. Last night was their turn in the tent, and Virga was getting discouraged because she wasn't able to climb the side of the tent as easily as she did before. Yesterday afternoon both the ladies had their nails trimmed, so Virga was not able to grab the fine mesh of the tent as surely as she did prior to her manicure. Her nails were getting pretty long, and when they get long enough they start to curl and easily can get snagged. I have a sheet of 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper attached to their wheel to help keep their nails under control. However, we don't think Virga uses the wheel nearly as much as Cirrus, and when she does, she often is just along for the ride - Cirrus is the one running. So, last night Virga finally resigned herself to the fact that she was not going to get in her ambitious climbs. On the other hand, she hung out on me more than usual, seemingly appreciative that I rescued her from a precarious situation or two where she jumped and couldn't quite get her grip on landing. Virga should be back in her old climbing form in another day or two.

Playing Around

Both pairs of gliders enjoy their time in the tent at night, more on some days than others. M has picked up a few things at garage sales for them to play on in the tent. A favorite is a cloth covered ark that we hang from the roof of the tent. This is a child's toy about 15 inches long and 12 inches high. They can climb on and in it. CB and Foehn prefer to crawl inside the ark and then poke their heads out the windows. CB especially likes the fact he can get into the ark and groom himself without Foehn hassling him. Cirrus and Virga like to climb on the outside of the ark but rarely crawl inside.

Foehn looks out from the inside of the ark

Cirrus has become the more active one when the ladies are in the tent. She loves to run around the tent, climb up the sides, jump on to my shoulder, and then run down again. One of her favorite things to do is run along the floor on the side of the tent, then stop about every foot or two and get up on her rear legs to look out.  I'm not sure what she is looking for, but it is fun to watch her curiosity at work.

Cirrus checks out the action on the other side of the screen

The Weather Thing Only Goes So Far

This was a stormy week, with thunderstorms just about every day. They were particularly strong on Tuesday afternoon. Apparently giving the gliders weather related names doesn't mean they are fond of all the noise that accompanies thunderstorms around here.  On Tuesday afternoon Virga and Cirrus did not like having their sleep disturbed by the thunder and began crabbing in their pouch. That's the first time any of them have been bothered by the thunder, but these storms may have been the worst we have experienced this year.

Over the last two weeks we have seen some big changes in Cirrus' and Virga's behavior.  M has been able to pet both of them in the pouch without them crabbing. It wasn't two weeks ago when they would crab (and occasionally bite) if you bothered them while they were sleeping. They also have been more comfortable with me in the tent. Cirrus, in particular, has taken to grooming me each time. She will sit and lick my arm or my hand for a minute or two at a time. Virga has joined her a time or two, however she tends to let her teeth get into it a little more than I prefer. They really seemed to have changed their "attitude" in the last two weeks, and we think it may be to the point where we can try introductions to CB and Foehn again.

Bonding Progress

I just finished some time in the tent with Virga and Cirrus, and the "kids" are still sleeping.  Since they were in for the day by the time I came in at 6:15 this morning and only up for a brief time this afternoon for their snack, they have been sleeping for, oh, about 15 hours. Not only have they been turning in earlier because of the early sunrise, but they seem to have been sleeping longer as well.

Bonding has been progressing well with Virga and Cirrus. They have no qualms about climbing on us or jumping onto my arm or shoulders in the tent. They had a good time this afternoon climbing on M and exploring.  They both are starting to enjoy (or getting used to) being petted. The only time they seem to be holding back is when they are in their pouches (either sleeping or bonding). Virga, in particular, seems to have the biggest issues. Tonight they ended up in separate pouches after their afternoon snack, M took Cirrus, and I had Virga. M had her hand in the pouch with Cirrus who had no complaints.  I had Virga in her pouch on my lap and she started crabbing over the slightest disturbance. I opened the pouch to check on her and she turned up the volume while also assuming the "ninja" pose. So,  left her alone and she eventually calmed down. What's interesting is that she has no problems when we are in the tent or when we are feeding her snacks. There is no crabbing, no biting, no running away, and in fact she is rather laid back. It seems be only when she is in either the sleeping or bonding pouch. This is giving me some misgivings about the success of eventual introductions to CB & Foehn. While they may get along fine when they are out and about. I am worried that when it comes to potential pouch sharing that there could be issues. It's possible that each pair will sleep in separate pouches by choice which is no problem. We just have to be sure there are going to be no territorial squabbles

Well, CB and Foehn are now up and around, and the ladies have turned in for a nap after eating a little of their dinner. Time for me to turn in as well.