Sugar Glider University

To really understand when the correct time to fully wean a sugar glider joey from its parents, we'll have to look at some basics on joey development.

Marsupial reproduction (koalas, kangaroos, sugar gliders, et cetera) is very different from what we're used to, which is placental reproduction (dogs, cats, humans, et cetera).

For example, when sugar glider joeys are born, the following characteristics need to be considered:

~The lungs are only partially developed
~The separation of the ventricles of the heart is incomplete
~Some cranial nerves are lacking
~There are no eye pigments or lids
~Cannot hear
~Jaws are not fully developed

When a joey is "born" it is extremely underdeveloped! The joeys make a journey (using their fore limbs as the hind limbs are not yet developed) to the mother's pouch, and permanently attach to a nipple for about 60-70 days. It is very important that the joeys stay attached--if they become detached during this time, the joeys will die. Many people will say a sugar glider female is "pregnant" when what they really mean is that the sugar glider has a joey "in pouch." Unless the breeder or caregiver is keeping track of estrous cycles, there is no way to visibly tell when a sugar glider is pregnant.

At 60-70 days after being born, the joeys will begin to emerge from the pouch. They are still fully dependent on their mother's milk, as it contains everything they need things that cannot be replaced, such as immunoglobulins, which help the joeys develop their immune systems.

Here, you can see how thin the fur is on the body, one of the more noticeable parts being the tail.

Once the sugar gliders fully emerge from the pouch (about 70 days after birth), the mother and father sugar glider may leave the joeys in the pouch for about 20 to 30 minutes while they go and eat. Usually, however, one of the parents or an older sibling will stay with the joeys.

In the event that they are left alone, it has been observed that the parents will cover the joeys with a "blankie" or something of that nature to keep them warm. If the joeys do cry out and the parents ignore them for several minutes, that DOES NOT indicate bad parenting or sign of rejection. It merely indicates that the parents want a little time to themselves. The joeys may be left for about 20-30 minutes, sometimes even a few minutes longer.

Many new glider caregivers, having been misinformed, may have a tendency to panic when they see the joey left alone and attempt to "rescue" it. It is important to remember that the joeys need the mother sugar glider's milk to get the very important immunoglobulins that cannot be reproduced in a supplemental milk or nutritional supplement. It is best to leave the situation alone, and let the glider parents do their job the way they want to do it.

Until the gliders have opened their eyes (about 7-10 days out of pouch), it is best for the caregiver to simply observe the miracle of life, rather than interfere with the joey. Joeys do not need to be handled at this time. Also, joeys this young are still unable to urinate and defecate on their own, but are stimulated to do so by the mother.

At 7-10 days out of pouch, the eyes will open and fur will begin to develop on the belly. The joeys may now be handled. The following guidelines should be followed:

1. It is best that one person be chosen to consistently handle the gliders until they are more mature.

2. Joeys should only be handled for 5 minutes at a time, building up as time progresses.

3. Joeys should be handled in a quiet, warm, dark place free from drafts.

4. It is best that the joeys be handled with mother present.

In the next two weeks (14-28 days out of pouch), joeys will open their eyes, develop their sense of hearing, and may even try to jump. They will mimic parents and try what they see their parents do. It is vital that both sugar glider parents be with the joeys at this time, as the father's role is extremely important in the care and teaching of the joeys. Here, a father looks on as his three week old joey tries to jump:

At 28-42 days out of pouch, the markings are becoming more prominent now, and they are beginning to become even more adventurous and confident. At this time the joeys will also begin sampling some of their parents' food. There is no need to provide any special food for the captive joey, as mother's milk provides all the nutrition the joey needs. Thus, it is vital that the joey be with his mother at this time! When the timing is right, the joey will begin to eat foods along with his parents and older siblings.

At 42-70 days out of pouch, the joey's tail will "fluff out", and the joeys will learn to urinate and defecate on their own. The joeys will become independent, and will eat solid foods along with their parents.

FOLLOWING THIS GUIDELINE, NO JOEY SHOULD BE PULLED AWAY FROM HIS OR HER MOTHER UNTIL HE OR SHE IS AT LEAST 8 WEEKS OUT OF POUCH!!! OR APPROXIMATELY 18 WEEKS AFTER BIRTH.

If you have a joey that looks like any of the following pictures:

your joey is too young to be away from its parents. In fact, the result of joeys being pulled too young is a shorter life span (some don't even live to be three years old), increased health problems, and overall smaller size.

Yes, they sure are cute when they’re little. They’re so calm, still…cuddly, even. This is also known as being lethargic.

If you are in a situation in which you have a sugar glider that lives through this (which very often can happen--sugar gliders are among to most resilient of animals, they are very tough, and can, amazingly, overcome most illnesses/sicknesses), do NOT breed him or her. This is irresponsible and leads to sickly lines of unhealthy sugar gliders.

There have been several instances in which a 'breeder' will sell sugar glider joeys just a few days or weeks out of pouch, saying: "Well, in all reality, they were born months ago, so really, they're fine." We all know this isn't true. Persons who sell joeys this young are irresponsible and unethical.

It is very sad indeed that there are people who would sell sugar gliders when they are too young, when they know very well that it is wrong.

It's up to the individual person to say, 'No, I'm not going to contribute to the problem, I'm going to help fix it by only supporting people who do not pull joeys too early.'

To learn more about the subject of Joey Development, enroll in Glider University’s Glider Colonization 202 course.