Sugar gliders are small marsupials that from the outset look like tiny chipmunks and they only grow to be between eleven (11) to twelve (12) inches long. These furry creatures are in the same family as kangaroos in that the mother keeps her young in a pouch. If you are interested in becoming a breeder there are some things that you need to know before you take on this undertaking.
First of all, you need to make sure that it is even legal to own sugar gliders as pets. Different jurisdictions in the country have different laws, so contact the local office of your county officials to determine if you are permitted to own one. Also, it is important to note that if you do plan on having more than four breeding females that you have to obtain a USDA Class A Breeder's license (for more information, you can contact the local USDA office). Male gliders reach maturity between four (4) - twelve (12) months old while, female gliders mature between eight (8) to twelve (12) months and females have the ability to breed a small litter (1-2) of joeys (baby gliders) up to three times a year.
There is certain breeding equipment and breeding accessories you will need prior to putting your male and female together so that 'nature can take it's course'. First you will need a large enough cage to house the male and female; again take into consideration the maturity levels for the each glider before you put them together. It would also be a good idea to either buy or build a small nesting box so that the father and mother have somewhere to sleep and so the mother has somewhere to nest when she becomes pregnant.
The gestation period only lasts about sixteen (16) days but the joeys will remain in her pouch for an additional two (2) -three (3) months. While the joeys are in the pouch make sure the mother has adequate protein or a milk supplement to make sure that her own milk supply does not run out. After the joeys leave the pouch and have started the weaning process (up to five weeks old) they can start eating semi-solid foods like low-fat fruit yogurts and/or baby foods. Then when they are about three (3) months old can you then transition to solid foods.
A key piece of breeding equipment that you should have is some type of scale (a jeweler's scale should work nicely) as this will ensure that the joey(s) are consistently gaining weight. In order to get the joey to socialize, it is important to start handling or hand-raising it immediately. There are certain breeding accessories like exercise toys, sleeping pouches, and bonding (pouches that you can wear on you person that simulates the mother's pouch and can help to get the joey acclimated to human touch) that are also a great way to socialize your pet for its new home.
To hand raise a joey you will need to make a temporary cage area for them to sleep when not with you. This can be a plastic bucket with holes drilled in it and a reptile heat pad wrapped around the bucket. Keep the internal temp around 85F. Add some bedding material and your done.
My name is Allan Stewart and I have several websites dedicated to health and well being for people and pets.
Want to learn more about sugar gliders: sugar gliding breeding Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders.
Also see my other articles on Kyocera Ceramics:
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Showing posts with label sugar glider breeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar glider breeding. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2011
Breeding Your Sugar Glider
A sugar glider is a marsupial native to Australia and has become wildly popular as a pet in the United States. Because sugar gliders have become popular pets throughout the world, many people have begun breeding them. The breeding process takes a lot of time, attention, and care. Before deciding to make the commitment to breeding sugar gliders, it is essential to understand the process and the proper way to care for the mother and her litter.
Before beginning the process of breeding, it is imperative that the breeder has adequate housing for the gliders. The minimum size cage to house a sugar glider should be 30”x18”x36”. The bigger the cage, the better, but the main focus is that the glider has enough room to jump and glide. Because sugar gliders are made to glide, it is important to note that when choosing a cage, height is more important than width. Sugar gliders are naturally playful animals, so their cages should be equipped with a variety of toys and climbing apparatuses. The cage should also include a nesting box where the gliders can sleep, reproduce, and nest. Gliders may mark the outside of their nesting boxes with urine, so the nesting box will need to be replaced multiple times throughout the gliders life. If this option is not desirable, a common solution is to place the nesting box at the top of the cage, prohibiting the glider from going on top of it. Regardless, the nesting box is extremely important because it facilitates the breeding process.
In the wild, male and female sugar gliders tend to mate only one or two times a year. However, in captivity, they can mate and reproduce multiple times. The litter usually consists of one or two babies, which like other marsupials, are called “joeys.” The gestation periods lasts around 15 to 17 days, and when the babies are born, they are hairless and blind. Because they are not fully developed when they first emerge, the joeys must make their way into their mothers’ pouch where they will continue to grow. In the pouch, the baby sugar gliders will attach themselves to their mothers’ nipple and remain there for around 60 to 70 days. During this time, it is crucial that the breeder supply the mother with an abundance of protein to ensure the optimum growth of the joeys. It is also important for the breeder to provide a stress-free environment so that the mother and her babies can develop in a calm, peaceful setting.
After the period in which the joeys develop in the mothers’ pouch, they begin to emerge. At first, the young sugar gliders stay very close to both their mother and their father. This is because their eyes don’t fully open until about 12 to 14 days after the original emergence from the mother’s pouch. If the mother and father allow it, it is beneficial for the breeder to expose the babies to human contact. This will familiarize them with humans and make them better pets in the long run. When the babies start to mature, they begin to wean off their mother. At four months, they are completely matured and ready for life on their own.
My name is Allan Stewart and I have several websites dedicated to health and well being for people and pets. Want to learn more about sugar gliders: sugar glider breeding Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles for Nail Fungus: Nail Fungus aka Onychomycosis
Before beginning the process of breeding, it is imperative that the breeder has adequate housing for the gliders. The minimum size cage to house a sugar glider should be 30”x18”x36”. The bigger the cage, the better, but the main focus is that the glider has enough room to jump and glide. Because sugar gliders are made to glide, it is important to note that when choosing a cage, height is more important than width. Sugar gliders are naturally playful animals, so their cages should be equipped with a variety of toys and climbing apparatuses. The cage should also include a nesting box where the gliders can sleep, reproduce, and nest. Gliders may mark the outside of their nesting boxes with urine, so the nesting box will need to be replaced multiple times throughout the gliders life. If this option is not desirable, a common solution is to place the nesting box at the top of the cage, prohibiting the glider from going on top of it. Regardless, the nesting box is extremely important because it facilitates the breeding process.
In the wild, male and female sugar gliders tend to mate only one or two times a year. However, in captivity, they can mate and reproduce multiple times. The litter usually consists of one or two babies, which like other marsupials, are called “joeys.” The gestation periods lasts around 15 to 17 days, and when the babies are born, they are hairless and blind. Because they are not fully developed when they first emerge, the joeys must make their way into their mothers’ pouch where they will continue to grow. In the pouch, the baby sugar gliders will attach themselves to their mothers’ nipple and remain there for around 60 to 70 days. During this time, it is crucial that the breeder supply the mother with an abundance of protein to ensure the optimum growth of the joeys. It is also important for the breeder to provide a stress-free environment so that the mother and her babies can develop in a calm, peaceful setting.
After the period in which the joeys develop in the mothers’ pouch, they begin to emerge. At first, the young sugar gliders stay very close to both their mother and their father. This is because their eyes don’t fully open until about 12 to 14 days after the original emergence from the mother’s pouch. If the mother and father allow it, it is beneficial for the breeder to expose the babies to human contact. This will familiarize them with humans and make them better pets in the long run. When the babies start to mature, they begin to wean off their mother. At four months, they are completely matured and ready for life on their own.
My name is Allan Stewart and I have several websites dedicated to health and well being for people and pets. Want to learn more about sugar gliders: sugar glider breeding Or visit my website at Sugar Glider Care for more facts about sugar gliders. Also see my other articles for Nail Fungus: Nail Fungus aka Onychomycosis
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