In captivity gliders will often mate 3 times a year and possibly more. Litter size is usually 1, sometimes 2 and rarely 3 babies. Just as with other marsupials, baby gliders are called joeys. Sugarglider offspring have a 16 day gestation period at which time they are born and emerge from the mother completely blind and helpless, and must find their own way into the mothers pouch to finish development. The joey finds one of four nipples that will swell in its mouth and keep it firmly attached for up to 40 days. The joey will spend approximately 10 weeks living and growing inside the mother's pouch. Towards the end it will emerge often and cling tightly to the mother's back as it starts to explore the world. After about 16 weeks joeys should be completely weened and independent of their mother. Females usually mature by 8-10 months while males take a little longer. Males are usually larger than females and can be easily identified by their testicles high up on their tummies. 
Female 
Male A strange feature of the male is the bifuricated penis which consists of two shafts instead of one and resembles a forked tongue of a snake. Mating is often hard to witness because it will happen in the very late hours of the night. The male will mount the female and hang on very tight with his legs and arms and will bite onto the neck to help subdue her. Some glider owners have the notion that male sugar gliders have a strong odor. Adult male sugar gliders do have three scent glands. However, most of the odor they produce is associated with mating. Even then it is slight when compared to a ferret for example. Male sugar gliders, if not kept with female gliders, produce little or no detectable odor. Once weened from the mother, a young glider will be a welcomed addition to the group and could go on to live a happy life of up to fifteen years.
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