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Boys and Girls
Tell me a little about the males.: Males have scent glands located
on their neck, chest, anus, and forehead, used to mark their territory.
The smell is faint and hardly noticeable when the glider is in a clean
habitat, on a good diet, and in good health. Intact adult males can be
identified by the presence of a bald spot, on it's forehead, and the
chest gland can also be seen. Males neutered before puberty, do not
develop the scent glands responsible for the bald spots. Adult males
will loose their bald spots upon neutering, as their scent glands will
become inactive. The male sugar glider has a bifurcated penis which
means it is divided in two. The penis is thin, long, and pink. Often
times new owners will mistake their penis for a worm, or intestine.
Males can be identified by the presence of a scrotum that has the
appearance of a wart where you would expect a belly button to be. Males
will reach sexual mature between 4 to 12 months of age depending on
genetics, diet, and care. The development of the bald spots caused by
active scent glands is a sign the male has reached sexual maturity.
Tell me a little about the females.: Females can be identified by
the pouch opening on her abdomen. The pouch opening is viewed as a
vertical slit where you would expect to see a belly button. Females will
mature between 6 to 18 months of age, depending on her conditions,
genetics, and diet. The younger the female, the higher risk of neglected
babies. Female sugar gliders have 2 separate vaginae and cervixes and a
divided uterus Female sugar gliders cycle about once every 29 days.
Pregnancy for a female lasts between 15-17 days. Upon giving birth, the
babies move up into the pouch where they will remain the next 60-70
days. Females will usually breed until they are between 5-8 years of
age. Some may breed longer. Females normally have 1 to 2 babies at a
time. It is possible for a female to have up to 4 joeys in the pouch at
a time. A female’s milk changes often during the developmental stages of
the baby in the pouch. Female sugar gliders are able to maintain babies
of different developmental stages. Each milk gland works individually
and is able to change and support each baby at their stage of
development.
What sex makes a better pet?: Overall there are no relation to
sex and temperament in sugar gliders. Males and females can be equally
calm, loving, and bonded. Just like people, each sugar glider has a
different personality. It is recommended when looking for a pet, to meet
them in person before adoption. This will ensure that the sugar glider’s
personality fits yours.
Other things to consider when choosing the sex of your sugar glider.
Males: Intact males do have a musky order do to active scent
glands on the head, chest, and anus. Pairing intact males together is
usually not recommended. Intact males that are living together may not
always get along after
reaching maturity. Pairings that involve one or more neutered males
usually will work out after hormone levels drop proceeding the neutering procedure.
Pairing in intact male and female together will most likely result in
breeding and offspring.
Females: Females tend to smell less than males, due to less
active scent glands. Usually two or more females will get along great
provided they are introduced properly. Introducing females at a young
age increases your chances of the females getting along. Pairing a
female with an intact male will most likely result in breeding and
offspring. Due to the complex reproductive system, females are never
recommended to be altered. The surgery to spay a marsupial female is
invasive, stressful, and very complex. In order to prevent unwanted
offspring, keep the female with a neutered the male, or house the female
with another female.
Neutered Males: Males are usually neutered to prevent
breeding/inbreeding, but there are many more social and health benefits.
Testosterone is a male hormone that is produced by the males testies.
Since the testies are removed during a neuter, the testosterone levels
are significantly decreased. By lowering the testosterone levels, the
scent glands become less active and therefore the sugar glider has less
odor. Neutered males also tend to be more docile, and loving towards
their human companions, as well as their cage mates. Intact males living
together may result in territorial and dominance fighting. Sometimes
these fights may leave one or more sugar gliders severally injured or
even dead. Neutering one or all males in a colony will often allow them
to be housed together happily.
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