My male glider seems to have an odd growth on his lower abdomen (where the pouch would usually be) that I have not seen before. I noticed last night there was a bit of separation in his fur in that region and then tonight I saw the pinkish fleshy bit. I managed to snap one picture, that I have attached, and was wondering if anyone perhaps recognizes it or knows what the possible cause could be? I tried touching it, but he shied away. I'm not quite sure though if this is because it's sore or if it's just because of the general "don't touch my belly" rule (he never allows it). I'm hoping I'm just overreacting or missed a vital piece of suggie research and that this is something totally normal.

The picture is not visible. The only way I've been able to show pictures here is to upload them to photobucket or a similar site and post a direct link.

I'm assuming you have a male joey, in which case it may just be his testicles growing. For ours, that happened around 3 months, though you can see the little bump from birth. It just gets covered with fur. Hopefully that's all it is, but the picture would help.

s1341.photobucket.com/user/suggiebug2/media/WP_20150807_20_17_02_Pro_zpsixelhpzy.jpg.html

Okay I'm hoping I did that right and that you can see the pic with the link? He's about a year old now though.

Are you sure that's a boy? That looks like a pouch to me.
Does he have a pom ? Has he ever had a pom?

That is what I thought too! When I got him his breeder said it was a male and I phoned her after a few months because I had never seen a pom on him. She said he was never neutered and she only had male joeys. But I have wondered. But why would it only be visible now? Nothing has been visible (pom or pouch) for the months that I've had him (/her). So I'm concerned that even if it is a pouch then, that it may be infected and swelling or something? I tend to go into panic mode pretty easy with them though, but I wanted to find out from the more experienced glider community.

Yeah I think that's a girl. I looked again at the picture and although you said you never noticed the pouch before I still think it looks fine. It's not dark pink/red, it looks pretty much the same as my female gliders' pouches. I'm no expert, of course. I do know that the pom is very obvious on boys. Have you taken her to the vet? The vet would check her pouch to make sure it looks healthy. But really it looks fine to me. What's her name (new name for a girl?)?

Oh yeah, and is there a bald spot on his head? If not, then most definitely a girl!

From the photo - he is definitely NOT an intact male glider.

It looks to me like a scar from a Pom-Off neuter. If it is a female the pouch would have more of a "U" shaped opening.

these joey photos may help:

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=joey_sexing

@Kferg - No, I haven't. He/she had a full vet check before I got him, but I'm planning on taking him for a yearly checkup, which is soon. He doesn't have a bald spot, no - which is another reason I suspected he was either neutered or a girl. But then the breeder said she had not neutered him, so I though maybe he was a late bloomer. It's all been a bit of a mystery. I think I'll make an appointment with the vet and have him clear everything up once and for all. Oh and his/her name is Skittles - luckily it can go either way gender-wise :)

@Candy - thank you for the pictures - they are nice and clear and easy to compare, especially with there being no fur to cover it up yet. I see what you mean - it looks different to both of those.

Thanks SO much to everyone for their help! Relieved to hear it's a gender issue rather than a health one. I appreciate all the glider community help :)

I can't wait to find out what the vet says! Please keep us updated!

I can't wait to find out what the vet says! Please keep us updated!