Day 4: Insert Added; Pouch Training Done For Tank & Mocha
Well, today was a very eventful day for the sugar gliders. Not only did we add the 'insert' to their cage (a second level so they have more room to run and jump), but Mocha and Tank also had great advancements in the bonding/training process.
Mocha has decided that she no longer wants to be handled inside her pouch. She was very unhappy with Troy when he put her in it today - fighting him all the while and crabbing like crazy. Then, when he put his hand in with her, she got even more excited, trying to get out. At first, we figured she was just in a mood, but every time we`ve tried it since, she has reacted the same way. And yet, once outside the pouch - she perfectly happy to be handled and played with. Today marks the last time we will use the pouch for bonding/training Mocha.
Tank had rather impressive accomplishments as well.
He climbed onto my hand while I was attempting to put him in his bonding pouch this afternoon, then nestled into the crook of my arm, eventually falling asleep. He seemed perfectly content with being outside of his cage and away from the comfort of a pouch. For all intensive purposes, Tank may also be done with his pouch training as well.
After bonding for roughly an hour, we put the babies back in their cage where they took a brief nap until later that evening; coming out to explore the new heights their insert provided. Mocha really seemed to enjoy herself. She was playing pretty hard, as you can see from the video. What a little cutie!
Video...
Tomorrow, we plan to work more with Tank and Mocha outside of their cage and continue on with the imprinting process. See you then!
