Sugar Glider Birthing Process

Most Sugar Gliders will begin breeding soon after reaching a year old. They will mate year round, provided they have a proper diet and the correct environmental conditions. Gliders generally have 1-2 babies at a time, and mate 1-3 times per year. Gliders can actually have 4 joeys at a time, but it is extremely rare that have more than 2 joeys per birth. The gestation period is 16 days. Once born (the size of a grain of rice) the blind joeys make the instinctive journey up to mom’s pouch. If the trip is successful, they will spend the next 2.5 to 3 months of their life inside the pouch. The male remains with the female throughout the entire birthing process.

As time progresses and the joeys grow, the female will get slightly larger, start to walk funny, and small peanut shaped lumps will be evident on her underbelly. As the joeys grow it is not uncommon to see a tail or leg hanging outside mom’s pouch, especially as they near the age when they are ready to exit.

When the joeys are out of pouch (oop), covered with fur, and have their eyes open they can be gently handled on a daily basis. Begin by handling them at 5 minute intervals daily and increase this handling time as they grow. When they have been eating solid food for 3-4 weeks they are ¾ grown, independent, and ready to wean. The time after they open their eyes and before they are weaned is critical if they are to become a good pet that is comfortable around humans and other animals. If joeys are handled daily and frequently during this time, bonding will usually go fairly easy. If they are rarely handled the bonding time will usually be extended. However, just like children, it is important to note all joeys have different personalities and temperaments. This bonding information is just a guideline, not a golden rule.

One of the interesting things that we have noticed as breeders is gliders generally have 2 joeys each birth. 99.9% of the time one joey will be a chill, easy going, “just hold me” kind of glider, while the other joey will be an adventurous, inquisitive, love to explore type of glider. We cannot explain this. We can only tell you that is almost always the way it is when a pair is born together, regardless of sex.

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