separation issues

Question
QUESTION: I adopted a neutered male pair of gliders about 8 months
ago. I absolutely love them, though they are not exactly
hand tame, they were never bonded. But we are getting
there.. My problem arises when I rescued 4 gliders from
another lady. There are three females, mother and daughters,
and a male (not neutered). One of the females is blind. The
oldest female with joeys in pouch. The male became extremely
aggressive and injured the mother. I took her out long
enough to allow her wounds to heal and treat her. I tried to
reintroduce her, but the blind female began attacking her. I
took her back out for her safety, but I am worried. She
spends all day with me. Will not eat unless I hand feed. I'm
afraid she will eat her young. Any thoughts or suggestions?

ANSWER: Wow.. this is quite the situation you find yourself in..
Hmm.. I have never delt with these particular problems in the past..that being said please do seek additional advice from another source.. usually taking the proper steps towards introduction works without fail.. please do feel free to read some of my past articles regarding introduction procedures..

It is odd that she won't eat on her own.. and I am not sure if it's because you are spoiling her or she is depressed.. either way she should be eating on her own..

Is there a possibility you can get another glider to bond with her..?? That can be either an existing one or perhaps you may give adoption another thought..?? If you can get another glider for her as a companion then she will surely be happier.. if all else fails you also have the option of finding her an appropriate home where she can live bully free.. What is best for the glider is the main concern..

There is another possibility that the blind glider is defensive of her "man" .. and neutering him may help ease that situation as well.. but these are all just random thoughts and suggestions off the top of my head.. I have had to rehome one of my females after she became very possessive of the male in the cage before..once she was housed with just females her attitude changed dramatically.. It may be worth a try..!!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have accomplished getting mommy to eat on her own. I do think it was a bit of spoiling her :) I just wanted her to have someone to bond with while being away from her cagemates. With this said, my little joeys are about five days OOP. I have the two nuetered males, but I am afraid to try and put them together in fear they will injure the joeys. I spend a lot of time with her during the day, just resting in a blanket tucked in my shirt, and then playtime at night. I'm a bit of an insomniac so she's perfect for me. I just want her to have the happiness of having her own kind.

So my new question is... Can I try and place her safely with the neutered pair? Or if her babies are females, just allow them a cage of their own?

If they are males I will seperate immediately, as I am not prepared at this point for any more joeys.

I have tried to use the introduction techniques but the blind female is extremely timid and I feel it is too much stress. Ideally I wish they could all live together. As only one male is in tact. I think that living in colonies in the wild, they would enjoy the company of the others. I love them all dearly and want to do what is safe first, but I want their happiness as well.. Thanks so much for your help. :)

Answer
I would be against exposing the little ones to a strange male neutered or not.. there is no telling what he may do to them..

I would keep momma & babies separate until you can complete formal introductions and/or have found homes for the little ones..