In Reply to: Breeding problems posted by Howie on May 22, 2000 at 15:58:13:

Hello Howie,
A lot of people seem to tell you that you do everything wrong. Don't take it personally.
I am quite new at all this but let me suggest a few things, according to what I have read.
1. Diet: They do need protein. try adding crickets, mealworms (not too many: they are fattening), boiled chicken breast, boiled egg, tofu, etc. to their diet. If the live insects gross you out too much, you may want to try freeze-dried crickets that are gut-loaded with calcium.
Seeds and nuts (raw, unsalted) should be used as occasionnal treats, not everyday, because they are foo fattening. Too much fat in the diet can lead to many problems, among which, blindness in the babies.
2. The closet is a bad idea. The sugar gliders need light (though not direct sunlight), to metabolise vitamin D. They also need a fairly regular alternating of day and night. Once bonded, you will find that they like company. So, place their large cage where they will have company (and yes, you are right to be concerned with the level of the noise, they would not appreciate really loud sudden noises, etc.).
3. About the eating of the babies, every account I have read of this behavior seems to have been caused by an imbalance between protein and fruit/vegetables.
4. If you breed them, it's doubly important that you do the research on the net so you can instruct the new owners, so the sugar gliders will be happy ones. The net is great for this. The more you will read, the more you will be able to know which articles are really reliable and which aren't.
5. Even if the gliders can breed 3 to 4 times a year, it is very hard on the mom's system. It is much preferable to limit the breeding to two litters a year to let her rebuild her strength between litters. Otherwise, even if the babies survive, the mom may not, expecially if she doesn't get enough calcium (find out about Repcal). But definitely fix their diet before breeding.
- About bonding, please go to: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/bonding.aspl
- About Bourbon's Leadbeater Diet, please see: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/leadbeat.aspl
- About diet in general, see: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/diet/index.aspl
- In general, see: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/
You can also try looking up other links from that page, and links from these links, etc.
I hope this will help.
I am sure this extra homework will pay off in the end, not to mention saving you a lot of money in vet bills.
Good luck.

Follow Ups: