
Never take sugar glider reproduction for granted because these tiny marsupials can be extremely weak when they’re young. This exotic animal has very specific requirements, and raising the joeys into healthy adults requires a committed breeder. Although they can live much longer in captivity, gliders can live up to 9 years in the wild.
What time of year is ideal for breeding?
Wild breeding typically results in a crop every year. However, domesticated gliders produce more often because their owners give them ideal conditions. Therefore, breeding is possible all year long with a litter size of four to six young.
Sugar gliders have a very brief gestation period of only about 16 days, during which they reach their sexual peak. However, babies do not emerge from their mother’s womb until after three months, so during this time the mother would be in charge of feeding and caring for the child.
Breeders may only lightly handle puppies once they are allowed to leave the pouch and begin eating solid food. The newborns should already be covered in fur, have opened eyes, and have a body mass that is only a few pounds lower than that of an adult. Before they are old enough, joeys should not be attempted to be separated from their mother because they are unable to reattach to the nipple. Males typically remain with the mother throughout the pregnancy and are very supportive Best Sugar Glider Food.
How do you begin breeding sugar gliders?
Naturally, breeders wouldn’t allow gliders to reach sexual maturity. There are essentially two ways to promote breeding: one involves setting up a colony, and the other involves allowing only a pair to live in the cage. Breeders should, ideally, choose the latter approach because it guarantees that the parents will take good care of the young. Many times when colonies breed, some of the offspring are lost or die. Some breeders choose to raise three puppies—two females and one male—in a trio.
How should recently weaned joeys be cared for?
Glider reproduction continues to the point where the young separate from the mother. Until the tiny marsupial is old enough to feed itself, it is the owner’s responsibility to feed it solid food. Babies prefer semi-hard, nutrient-rich foods like baby food or low-fat yoghurt with fruit flavours.
It’s critical for the breeder of these animals to keep a close eye on the young once they are weaned from the mother. Infants who are able to eat solid foods should ideally not be kept with their parents because the mother frequently bites her young. The forced separation could be depressing for both the mother and the child, but with the right approach, this could be easily overcome.
Keep in mind that because sugar gliders are exotic animals, they are subject to specific laws and regulations. A licence is now required for breeding if you have more than three breeding females. Owners are not required to abide by the licence policy if the amount is less.