Breeding Sugar Gliders

Question
QUESTION: 1.) Please explain why it is necessary to have both parents present when raising a joey, I understand the mother's role but not the father's.

2.) Once the mother gets pregnant when is the next possible time she can get pregnant again?

ANSWER: Dear Jeanette:

The father plays an important role.  He grooms babysits the joeys so the mother can leave to eat and play, he will also carry them on his back just like the mother.  He will keep them clean and warm.  If he's a good father he will do everything except feed them.  

It's possible for her to get pregnant the very next time she comes into estrus or into season.  This can be while there are joeys in pouch.  It is possible to have one litter come out of pouch while another litter is in pouch, but this is rare.  Normally if conditions are right, they will have 3-4 litters a year.  

For conditions to be right they have to be healthy, proper diet (with lots of extra protein for the female while pregnant, joeys in pouch as well as when then come out of pouch and she is nursing.  Their area should be proper temperature (72-80 degrees) and with no stress.  Proper  sized cage (at the very least 2' x 2' x 3' larger if possible) positioned away from air conditioning vents.  Keep children and pets away and a nice, quiet, dimly-lit area.  

Laurie

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

QUESTION: What if I do not want the father to reproduce anymore, how can I separate them without interrupting the care for the joey's?

She has a 7 week OOP male and two lumps in her pouch right now. I would like to put the father in a separate cage for rehabilitation since he is very aggressively protective of the family and no more babies should be born when already so many need homes. I rescued them from a breeder but I do not know how to stop the breeding.

Answer
Dear Jeanette:

You should have the male neutered.  That is the only sure way.  Separating them will put stress on both gliders.

If you can detect joeys "in pouch" then they are technically "born" (after about 2 weeks gestation and have been born and have traveled to the pouch similar to a kangaroo) she could get technically "pregnant" as soon as she comes into heat or season again (which can be any time).  I have no way to tell when that will be.  Pulling the male is not a good idea.  Neither is breeding rescues if you can help it.  The best way to stop the breeding is to get the male neutered.  He will still be viable for about 6 weeks.  Since she already has joeys, I would not separate them.  

Best of luck with this pair,

Laurie