Glider Baby Just Left Home

Question
QUESTION: Good evening,

I have just given away one of my gliders joey's yesterday (OOP on May 1st 2009), the person I gave it to is worried it is not eating much and did not stay out of the pouch long.  She we be worried or is it just because this was its 1st night away from home?

ANSWER: Peter,

How old is the joey?  If it is at least eight weeks OOP, then it is just lonely for its parents.  You'll notice that the parents have been acting strangely, too.  They will spend the first few nights looking for the baby.  It is all so sad, but they will adjust.  Will the joey be getting a glider companion?  Gliders do not do well when they are alone.  

If the joey is less than eight weeks OOP, then it is probably too young to be away from its parents.  The joey must be eating solid foods and be able to eliminate (pee and poo) on its own.  Joeys also learn how to be a Sugar Glider from their parents.  It is not good to take them from the parents too soon.

I hope this answers your question.  Please keep in touch.

Good luck,

Betty

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

QUESTION: Yes the Joey is about 9 weeks OOP and can eat solids and eliminate on its own.

Mom and Dad wont hardly leave there cage usually in the evenings they love to come out and run and clime around the room, it is set up with Ropes, Ladders, Bamboo plants and Eucalyptus branches and leaves.

How long does it usually take them to get back to normal? I also am keeping the joys sister at what age do I need to separate into separate cages.

Also any idea how a sugar glider may or may not take to a squirrel?  

Answer
Peter,

It sounds like your gliders have a lot of fun!  

It should take the parents three or four days to realize that the joey is not coming back. The joey, on the other hand, will have a more difficult time.  This is his first time without his family, and he will need extra love and attention.  Please recommend that the new owners get the baby a companion.

The young female may stay with her family until she is about five or six months old.  She will become sexually mature soon after that.

As for a squirrel and a Sugar Glider: not a good idea!  Gliders are predators and squirrels are prey.  Even though they may look similar, rodents and marsupials are nothing alike.  I suppose it is possible to train them to get along, I've heard of cats and mice living together....

Please keep in touch,

Betty