Sugar glider fighting

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have one nuterted male sugar glidr (about 7) named leon I've had him his whole life he's only been nuterted for about three months, I also have a female who is 9months named sophie and a non nuterted male who is 7 months (riley) , I just got my seven month old last month and all introductions went along great!! Especially between the boys, Now my two youngest have mated and I'm pretty sure her joeys are about 1-2 weeks in pouch and she is now fighting alot with her new mate.... I'm not sure what to do, He is making the mating noises and I'm not sure if thats why she gets mad or what...I know that it is not a problem with there diets I am extremely carfull about those and give them all the proper food and there cage is over five feet tall and they have plenty of different sleeping areas and places to hide and play...Is there anything else I can do? They also seem really on edge especially leon who I've had the longest... I have recentely got a new pet who I'm sure they can smell, but are always kept away from each other..but it seems that since sophie has gotten pregnante They have been super on edge!!! Please help It breaks my heart not knowing what to do!!!

ANSWER: Hope,

Congratulations with the coming of your little ones.  

Your two males are probably competing over the female.  Leon was neutered just recently, so he still has the male tendencies.  It takes a while for all that to go away.  The male bald spot will eventually disappear, and then he will start forgetting that he is male.  

Riley is a bit young to mate, and Sophie is young to be a mother. They don't have any experience with parenting, and most likely don't know what is happening.  Has Leon had any parenting experience?  Your gliders are going through a stressful time now, with the new glider and the change in family dynamics.  

Please describe the fighting.  Are they just fussing?  Is Sophie just trying to avoid Riley's advances?  Are they getting into the dreaded "fighting furball?"  Are they harming each other?  Does Leon get involved?  

It is not natural to have two males and one female living together.  This condition usually leads to a lot of fighting and stress.  Since Leon is neutered, however, it will get better.  As long as they are not harming each other, I suggest that you wait and see what happens.

Give them extra protein at this time.  Add chicken, eggs, yogurt, meal worms, and other protein sources. The mother needs it for the joeys, and it will make the males less competitive.  Be sure they are all getting plenty of your attention.  

If you provide more information, I might be able to give you better advice on your unique situation.

Good luck,

Betty

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your help!!
I know they are two young to mate, when I had gotten Riley they told me he was much younger then he actually was (he was very small for his age)!!
Yes it's mostly just fussing and little nipps, but it does sometime progress into all three crabbing and hissing loudly for a few seconds, until usually one (sometimes two) will separate, its  not all the time, but it worry's me! Leon does not get involved usually and he has had no previous parenting experience, I just didn't want him and Sophie to mate since he's almost 8, I wanted there to be someone closer to her age.
I'm thinking that she is just trying to avoid his advances like you said, but is that normal?
Would it be harmful to the joeys to get Riley neutered while they are young? I know you have to separate the male from the female after being neutered so when would be an appropriate time to get him neutered?
Thank you!!!!


Answer
Hope,

It is normal for gliders to fuss at each other once in a while, especially if the male is trying to mate.  

I wouldn't get Riley neutered just yet, if you want Sophie to have babies.  The first litter doesn't always survive, especially when the parents are very young.  When you have joeys about four to six weeks OOP, you will know they have been accepted, and can go ahead and have the male neutered.  

I worry about having two males and one female with new babies.  It is impossible to know how the joeys will be treated in this situation.  Have you ever watched Meercat Manor on television?  Sugar Gliders have a very similar social structure in which the dominant glider decides who gets to mate and have young.

It seems that Riley is taking on the dominant role.  Is that so?  If he is, then it might be okay, since they are his babies.  I would watch them very carefully for the next few weeks to see how they are getting along.  If it appears that there is a lot of jealousy, then you may need to separate them for the sake of the joeys.  Only do this if it is necessary, because Sophie needs her mate to help care for the babies.

Keep in touch with me, so I can offer advice when needed.  Good luck to you, I hope all goes well.

Betty