BREEDING GLIDERS

Question
Hi, I just got to twin gliders, they are brother and sister. Well they are only 6 months old. I had to go on a trip and when I got back my sister said she had babies, I looked her over and there are two lumps on ither side of her pouch!

Im completely agenst in-breeding and im very upset with this! The previous owners said that they shouldent breed for another 4 months so I was looking for another male glider to trade with mine so that the female could have an unrelated mate. She forsure had two joeys!

I would be happy but im really worried, I have herd alot of stories about the babies coming out deformed or braindead! can that really happen?
I know that she is very young and she could canabalixe her babies but if they make it will there be something wrong with the babies?

Answer
Stephanie,

Yikes!

This is a tricky question to answer.  Sugar Gliders reach maturity at about 6-8 months out of pouch.  As you know, inbreeding is discouraged.  You are justified in worrying about the babies.  What's done is done, and there's nothing you can do at this point.  The babies will probably be okay, but they could, indeed, be unhealthy.  Just wait and see what happens.  Sugar Gliders, like most animals, have their own way of dealing with such issues.  If the babies are fine, the parents will care for them lovingly and you have nothing to worry about.  If not, you won't even know what happened.  

Basically, what I am saying is that there is nothing for you to do about this.  Just wait and hope for the best.  I hope this helps.

Betty