Sugar Gliders bonding

Question
I had two adult male sugar gliders, and one passed away.  I felt it was best to get Wyatt a friend. So we purchased a 10 week OOP baby.  The ride home in the bonding pouch went very well. The baby only crabbed a few seconds and they settled down.  Once I got home, I was told it was ok to put them in the same cage.  Once I did the adult non neuterd male (Wyatt) started to attack the baby (Virgil).  I seperated them, into two seperate cages about 6" apart. During the day they are in the same bonding pouch on me with no problems at all.  It is when I get home and put them in the seperate cages that the problem starts. Wyatt the adult climbs on Virgil's cage with aggression as if he would attack him if he could get to him.  I should mention that I've only had the baby for three days, he is now allowing me to take him out of the pouches without crabbing and accepting treats from me.  He will allow me to hold him but I try to do this for short periods only.  I have tried to put both gliders in a neutral room for about 15 minutes, but Wyatt seems to want to get to the baby quickly with aggression.  I will start to change out their sleeping pouches tonight for several nights.  When would you recommend that I try to let both in the same cage again?  I don't understand that they are in the bonding pouch all day together with not one problem.  Do I just need to give this more time?  Should I continue to have them out of the pouch in a neutral room more often?  Help any suggestions would be helpful!!!! Thank you, Cherie

Answer
Hello Cherie,

Okay, I'm afraid you have a very difficult situation.  Sugar Gliders are territorial, and usually there is only one dominant male in the colony.  Generally, the only way two males can live happily together is if they are brothers or have grown up in the same pouch.  

Your best chance of success is to continue with the pouch bonding.  Go VERY slowly, and do not leave them together without supervision.  I would continue to keep them with you in the same pouch during sleeping time.  Do not let the older one chase the little one around.  He is establishing dominance, and could easily harm a joey so small.  Hopefully the baby will start displaying submissive behaviors.  If he does, the older male won't feel the need to dominate so much.  Continue switching pouches, too.  It sounds like you are on the right track.  You just need to be very patient.  You might find some other ideas on my website: nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com.  Check out the article on introductions.

If you are not seeing improvement in their relationship in a couple of months, you may need to get one or both of them neutered.  Please keep in touch, and let me know if you have any more questions.  Good Luck!

Betty