Sugar gliders eating babys.

Question
QUESTION: We just bought three sugar gliders-two females and a male. They were in a
very stressful environment, and did not have a very healthy diet-for example
Fruit loops, trix and oreos.  
The lady said that they had joeys once before and they ate them. Is it possible
for them to raise a joey again? Or will they just continue eating them??
And also how can we tell if they are pregnant??

We are really just trying to help them and get them back on a good diet and a  
good life. All your answers will help thanks.
-Sierra

please email me back . thanks

ANSWER: Hello Sierra,

As long as your new gliders are in a good environment and are fed a nourishing diet, they should be able to raise a happy, healthy family.  

Glider parents do that for a variety of reasons.  It usually happens when gliders are overly stressed, undernourished, or if there is something wrong with the joeys.  You can find my suggestions for a good diet on my website:  nc.sugar.gliders.googlepages.com.  While a glider has joeys in the pouch, be sure they all have enough protein, calcium, and other nutrients.  My gliders eat BML, fresh fruits & veggies, mealworms, and crickets.  I also add a scoop of powdered baby formula when they are expecting and nursing.  

Good luck, please keep in touch.

Betty

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

QUESTION: Ok thanks for the info. i have a few more questions.

How do we know if either one of the girls is going to be expecting? is their
any way?

is it okay for them to be in the same cage ( there is two girls and one boy)

and what is BML?


Answer
Sierra,

To tell if there are babies in the pouch, you can VERY GENTLY touch the female's abdomen on either side.  If you feel a little lump, that is a joey.  There could be one or two, on either side of her tummy.  Be extremely careful, because if a joey slips away from the nipple, it will not survive.  

The gliders should be fine together.  My families are in trios.  They work as a team to take care of the joeys.

BML is a formula diet that I make and freeze for the gliders.  Here's the recipe I use:


The Basic BML Mixture

1/2 cup Honey, do not use honeycomb, raw or unfiltered honey. Most store bought Honey is the one to use, unless it uses one of the three words above.

1 Egg, boiled or scrambled (I Microwave Mine)
The shell is OPTIONAL, if your blender does NOT break the shell down into miniscule pieces do not use it. I break the egg down before putting it into the blender

1/4 cup of Apple Juice, just the good ole apple juice that you and I would drink, Not frozen, not baby juice, just regular bottle apple juice. (I vary the kind of juice)

1 4oz bottle PREMIXED Gerber juice with yogurt (Mixed Fruit or Banana)
both have yogurt mixed in, the fluid is creamy colored. For those that can not find this, you may substitute 2 oz of plain yogurt and 2 oz of mixed fruit juice (I use Nouriche smoothie)

Blend well, Turn off blender, add the next group of ingredients.
1 Teaspoon of Rep-Cal HERPTIVITE vitamin supplement.
Blue label on a white plastic container, DO NOT SUBSTITUTE this supplement.
(from pet store, or online)

2 teaspoons Rep-Cal Calcium Supplement non-phosphorus with Vit. D3. Pink label on a white plastic container (from pet store, or online)

2  2 1/2 oz jar of baby food chicken  
The chicken will say either Chicken with Chicken Gravy or Chicken with Chicken Broth.

Blend well again, Turn off Blender, add next group of ingredients.
Note:  If you are doubling the recipe, pour blended mixture into large bowl and stir in the next group of ingredients.   

1/4 cup Wheat Germ

1/2 cup dry baby cereal. (Mixed or Oatmeal)

Optional:  about 1/4 cup fresh or dried fruit, vegetables, and nuts (trail mix)

Blend well , turn off blender, pour into freezer container, or ice cube trays and FREEZE, 1 cube in ice cube tray is approx. 2 tablespoons (I pour into small paper or plastic disposable cups). It will freeze to the consistency of ice cream.