Lost babies?

Question
QUESTION: I have a pair of gliders and I was sure she had babies in her pouch...two distinct lumps and all of a sudden the lumps are gone and no sign of babies anywhere in the cage or around it.

ANSWER: Joe,

Is this your gliders' first experience with joeys?  It is not uncommon for first-time parents to "lose" the first litter.  In any case, there is nothing to be done.  Be patient. I'm sure the next time will be more successful.  I know your disappointment, I'm sorry.  Nature is that way sometimes. Good luck to you and your gliders.

Betty


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

QUESTION: This is not her first litter but her second.  The first one she had only one joey and everything was fine, in fact we still have her.  What happens to the babies that were obviously there and now not does she eat them?

Answer
Joe,

No one really knows why things happen in nature.  Perhaps there was something wrong with the joeys.  Do you provide enough protein for the gliders?  They need extra protein for the development of healthy babies.  I'm afraid you are probably correct about what happened to them.  This does not mean that it will happen to future joeys.

Betty