Tom and Jerry are about 8 wks oop now. Jerry is smaller, and we think maybe younger, but not by much. He never rides around on mom or dad's back, just pretty much stays in the nesting pouch still. Tom, on the other hand, rides on their backs, and also comes out of the nesting pouch on his own to eat and drink. Sometimes when he is on Gidget's back, she throws her body to the side and he slides right off her back. He tries so hard to hang on - all four "hands" plus his little teeth diggin into her back, but eventually, he gets thrown off. He never seems to get hurt, but just sits there for a few minutes, tries to get back on, and the same thing happens. Is this normal behavior for mom letting him know it's time to be on his own? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

yes. my female does it all the time. She wants to play and have time to herself. Its her way of making him stand on his own. She makes a terrible noise at the same time...a warning I guess.."Get off me kid! Give me some space." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kaz

Thanks Kaz. Any ideas about Jerry? I kind of worry about him never coming out of the nesting pouch. If I take him out, he will lick grapes and apples, but will not eat anything. He weighs about 2 grams less than Tom, so I think he's eating okay. Is it just his personality?

To help Jerry and his brother out... place him at the food dishes a couple of times during the evening.

sounds like the babies are just starting to wean but not quite sure how to do so without their mother. In another week... they will be close to being somewhat independent.

Babies when they try to hang onto a parent... acturally bite the hair at the between the parent's shoulder blades and in doing so... often they grip the skin which pinches the parent. Also, the nails are sharp so it is not comfortable for the parent to be carrying around a joey that is not so tiny. Thus a parent will rub themself on the cage wire to try to encourage the joey to get off. Parents sometimes will hang upside down from the cage top or ramp...to dislodge a baby.