In Reply to: glider mating--should they be controlled posted by vienna on May 01, 1999 at 09:11:03:

The question as to whether they should be controlled or whether you CAN control them are 2 different issues. I have been talking with several breeders regarding this issue, the common concensus seems to be that they should be however controlling it is another matter. As in dog breeders , they do try to give them some breaks and only allow them to breed so many times. Yes it does shorten their life span. It is very taxing on the reproductive system of a glider that in the wild they are only breeding once a year. Speeding up that process is much like turning a machine on that is designed to only work a few hours a day, and leaving it on all day long every day. It wears the system out. Now how to control it effectively with out causing any undue stress seems to be the problem. Seeing that gliders bond not only with their owners but also to their mate, it may cause sever mental anguish to separate the two. I have tried to interrupt them in the process only to get bit. Short of sepaaration there doesn't seem to be a humane way to do this.They don't per sae go through cycles. when the joeys make the trip to the pouch, the male will try from that point on..but the males are needed to help raise the joeys.. What I do is in the winter I lower the temps about 10 degrees, it somehow simulates the change of seasons, I am only getting about a litter a year.. more experimentation will tell more. Good luck with your research regarding this and keep us posted as to what you find out.

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