Differences for “ birth ”

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Female sugar gliders are able to conceive young at about 7 to 10 months. After
about 16 days in the mother, the baby is born, blind, weak, under-developed and
with a weight of only 0.2 grams. It must then find its way to the mother's pouch
where it will finish its development attached to one of four nipples for about
70 days.  Eighty one percent of all litters will consist of two joeys.  Joeys
are weaned 110 to 120 days after emerging from the pouch, which is about 16 to
17 weeks (Kahn, 1656).
  
For many years it has been generally accepted that baby sugar gliders are
weaned and ready to be pulled from mom at the age of 8 weeks. Although most
joeys can survive when removed at this age, especially with human help, this is
NOT a good age to separate them from their family. Mom will continue to feed
them for weeks and they will wean themselves eventually on their own. During
this time the joeys will learn to eat real foods from their family and they will
learn skills needed to survive in their world through their continuing
interactions with their family.
  
I have found that joeys removed at an early age will often go through a biting
phase as they begin to test the world around them much like a teenager would.
When the animal is alone, this biting can escalate and cause all sorts of
problems for both the owner and the single animal.  When left with family, the
adults tend to teach their kids how to interact with things and biting is much
less of a problem.
  
My suggestion is to leave joeys with the family unit for a minimum of 12
weeks, and forever if possible.  A colony cage is the best way to keep sugar
gliders.
  
  
[YouTube:vDJB3Ia8EMA]
  
http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/Photos/3673/100_1243.jpg
http://www.sugarglider.com/glidergossip/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=10695&whichpage=1
  
  
  
  
  
= References =
Kahn, Cynthia M., ed. __The Merck Veterinary Manual__. 9th ed. Whitehouse 
Station: Merck, 2005.
  
  
  
  
= Links =
[http://www.babylovegliders.com/TheBirth.html Some photos of a sugar glider 
birth]
  
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