GliderCENTRAL

Step dads'

Posted By: Claralice

Step dads' - 06/14/19 11:58 PM

If a bred female is placed in a cage with two neutered males, would they help with off spring? I am curious as to whether they would help or kill the babies?
Posted By: Feather

Re: Step dads' - 06/15/19 03:31 AM

Honestly I wouldn't do it. It can go either way. It is heart breaking enough to loose joeys to cannibalism this would just be inviting it in my book.
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: Step dads' - 06/15/19 06:30 AM

I agree with Feather. The mom is under stress in a new bonding situation too.

Is the mom new to you? Are you a new home for her? Or did her mate pass?
Posted By: Claralice

Re: Step dads' - 06/15/19 03:59 PM

There is a possibly bred glider being given away and I thought about taking it. I knew being with the girls (my other cage) would not work as they might steal it, so I wondered if she would be okay with the boys. Now you all have confirmed what I thought.
Posted By: Claralice

Re: Step dads' - 07/06/19 12:37 AM

FYI-I did not get the pregnant glider and still have my four-the two neutered boys in a cage and in another cage my two girls. I was tempted but glad I did not jump in and get the little girl!
Posted By: the_eidolon

Re: Step dads' - 09/13/19 05:35 AM

In my experience, yes. Story time!

2009... 1-year-old rescue, Nand, raised joey Xor as his own son. Both intact. 2015... Nand then had Xor raise the neutered rescue, Gordo, as his own son (despite Gordo being a year old and larger than either male). Xor has passed away, Gordo is big brother to Xor's five biological children and did a LOT of the work with first joey, Xnand (9/23/18), and less but still loads with the second joeys, Qubit and Toffoli (4/1/19).

Nor just had her last joeys with Xor (born 9/9/19 - yay!), a boy, Ising, and a girl, Ancilla. Younger siblings are able to help so Gordo has even less work to do, but he still helps and does a lot of Xor's daddy work (which Xor trained him to do). Gordo went from being a carefree, daredevil goofball to being a highly domesticated, responsible individual who spends the night in rather than partying. He has turned into his dad lol

Xor did not allow Nor to take joeys out, so once she had any trouble keeping them in her pouch, they would be left in the nest (the two fought about this, and Xor won - it is still done this way now that he is gone). Xnand did not learn to climb until she was 5 weeks old, and then she had an escort all the time. There is always at least one babysitter with the joeys. The entire colony helps with the babies until they are about 4-6 months OOP, and then they are ready to be big brothers and sisters themselves.

BUT! This is not a normal arrangement. Every glider and every colony is unique; gliders have their own personalities and colonies have their own cultures. What has worked for me may not work for you. Most people are horrified at the idea I gave a joey to an adult male (much less an intact one), but Nand loved Xor as his own.
Posted By: Claralice

Re: Step dads' - 09/16/19 03:09 AM

Wow! @the_eidolon that is an amazing tale! I am too unsure with my own group! It sounds like your colony has a somewhat unique attitude! That is awesome!
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