So it seems that my gliders never really got over the instinct to stimulate their baby to go to the bathroom even though she's fully weaned now. Lately my gliders (especially the male) will lick the others cloacas and eat whatever comes out...which is usually poop! It's extremely disgusting and I keep shoving treats at him to make him eat something else but he hasn't stopped. Is this normal behavior? "Cleaning" up their pouch or something? Just confused that baby doesn't need their help anymore? Hungry for something that they aren't getting in their diet? Please let me know if you've experienced this because it's really grossing me out!

With my girls, I have noticed if one of them poops in the sleeping pouch - they will eat it. That behavior is normal as they like to keep their sleeping area clean.

Some dogs eat poop. In fact, I have one that does and have tried everything to break her of this horrible, nasty habit. As disgusting as it is, I guess some animals eat it because they actually like it.

It is possible the behavior is diet related. But it makes you wonder, if he is eating the same thing the others are???

This might not be helpful but ill give it a shot...

Why do dogs (and other animals) eat poop?
Many animals eat poop on a regular basis. These include rabbits, rodents, gorillas, many insects such as dung beetles and flies, and yes, dogs. (Keep that in mind the next time a dog wants to lick you!) Herbivores such as rabbits and rodents eat their own poop because their diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently, and they have to make two passes at it to get everything out of the meal. This is equivalent to a cow chewing its cud, only cows are able to re-eat their food without having to poop it out first. Another reason why animals eat poop is that poop contains vitamins produced by their intestinal bacteria. The animal is unable to absorb the vitamins through the intestinal wall, but can get at them by eating the poop. Another reason that animals such as dogs and flies eat poop is that poop contains a certain amount of protein. Dogs are particularly fond of cat poop because cat poop is high in protein. I had a friend with a dog and a cat, and he never had to clean the kitty litter. The dog took care of it.

......Okward.....>.>

Very disgusting!!!

All possums eat poo to some extent. Here in Australia when injured and sick possums are hand raised they are often given poo shakes. This is an healthy adult possums poo ground down and mixed with possum formular. This helps the gut fauna to adjust so they can digest food. Many Marsupials need to eat there mothers poo to start off the right bacteria in there gut to digest adult food instead of there mothers milk. It is not gross at all to them and shouldn't be discouraged.

The term for this behavior is called cecotrophy.

Jett is completely correct mothers that feed thier young her own poo is known as papping.
I have made many a poo tea before it is not the most pleasant but it is very necessary to help the joey obtain the correct gut bacteria