In Reply to: Breeding, babies, USDA and such....... posted by Jill on December 29, 1999 at 17:37:58:

: I want to get a male friend for my female Sugar Glider, Gizmo. Even though I haven't found her a "friend" yet. She's about 9 months old, so how old she her mate be?

Younger than her works for us. Our males are usually younger than our females.

: If he's younger like 2 or 3 months OOP then should I wait until he's older to put them both in the same cage? Or should I get a male thats around her same age?

Closer to her age will get you joeys quicker. Otherwise I don't think it makes a difference.

: Babies. Ok if they had babies (which I'm sure they would because I wouldn't get the male neutered) how old do they need to be weaned at?

Let the parents wean them themselves. This is a period when hte joey learns what to eat, how to behave, etc.

: I've heard so many different ages at when they should be weaned I'm getting confused! And how long after their/it (is) weaned should they/it be moved into a separate cage?

Joeys are fully weaned at 8 weeks OOP.

: If its the first time the female has babies is it more likely she'll have one joey?

No necessarily. Most of our females have twins for their first litter.

: Then if I decided to keep the baby/babies could I keep them all in the same cage if I got the males neutered? (I'm pretty sure ya can, but I want to know for sure).

Yes, only if you nuetered the males. Ohterwise the mama would breed with sons, and Dad would breed with daughters.

:And say if the female had one baby male then if I kept him and got him neutered and kept him in the same cage as the parents could the mom and dad still breed?

Yes.

:Or would their he kill the babies they would be having?

Our experiance is that the males will become caregivers.

: How many gliders would be able to live in a 4x3x2 size cage, so they have enough room?

If you mean 4' tall x 3' wide x 2' deep I would not have more than three gliders as permanent residents.

: Then if I sold the babies I need to know about USDA licenses. Do you have to be a certain age? (I'm 14)

Yes, you must be 18 minimum.

:How much does it cost? Where and how do I get one??
$70 the first year and $40 each year after that plus the cost of vet inspcetions.

: I know now your probably thinking she shouldn't be breeding SGs she's only 14, she's not responsible enough!

Actually you are not. The busiest part of your life is here, your teens. Soon boys will take up more and more of your time. How will a date take it when you say, "sorry, I have to go home and care for my animals"? What are you going to do with joeys that do not sell? Sometimes you have joeys but have no buyers. They become permanent residents.

BTW you cann not even give away gliders with out a USDA license. If you get caught you risk losing all your gliders. Have you thought of that?

But trust me I am responsible. Sorry so long, but I want to know as much as I can before I get Gizmo a mate.

Gliders are not a good pet for kids. You are still basically a kid. Don't saddle yourself with responcibilities you are not old enough for. Take some time to enjoy what is left of your childhood.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Breeding, babies, USDA and such....... Jill 18:50:48 1/03/100 (0)
• Re: Breeding, babies, USDA and such....... Jill 18:48:59 1/03/100 (0)