Expert: Betty - 10/27/2009

Question
hello there. my female sugarglider just recently had her babies coming out of her pouch a few days ago. i was shocked to see my male suggie trying effortlessly to mate with her again already. it's quite disturbing seeing her trying to carry her babies around while the male continues to climb on her back and she crabs a lot so it seems like she doesn't like it. is this normal? why so soon? should i seperate them?

Answer
Min,

It is not at all unusual for the male to mate soon after joeys are OOP.  In fact, Sugar Gliders are capable of having three sets of babies going at once.  They can have a set nursing, a set in the pouch, and another not yet born.  If the female is doing a lot of crabbing, you could take the male out for a while (an hour or so) to give her a break.  Do not remove him for a long time, though, because he will babysit so the female can leave the babies to eat, exercise, etc.

I hope this helps.  Good luck,

Betty