My two boys were OOP on 05-04-06, which would make them nearly 7 weeks OOP. However, I think they might actually be about a week older than that. I can't tell, but I don't think they're quite weaned yet. I do see them eating BML, but I'm not sure if they're still nursing.

I plan to keep both boys, and to keep the entire family together (dad is neutered...these babies are an "oops"!). But, my vet will not neuter until 6 months OOP. So I'd planned to keep them in separate cages once the boys reached sexual maturity, still swapping pouches and allowing supervised playtime, until the boys can be neutered. But, both boys are developing bald spots already!

I can't tell if their testicles have dropped yet, but they're definitely developing their bald spots. I have NO clue what to do in this situation, because they're not old enough to be separated from their parents yet, BUT I don't want them to mate with mom!

Any advice? I'm clueless on this one.

Several of the joeys from my pair were sexually mature around that age (8 wks-10wks) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />, all were by 12 wks. I had to be really careful. Some lines breed earlier than others (their mom bred @ 12 wks and their grandmother, I was told was early as well). So it would probably be best to separate and let them have 'supervised visits' (like you are planning). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />

I would not remove them from their parents for another couple of weeks. You do want to make sure they are weened. Then have the supervised play time etc with them. There is no guarentee that you will be successful in putting them back with their parents though so be prepared to keep two cages.

alot of males do start to mature young, but I wouldn't say they are sexually mature that age. The youngest I have heard of was 4 months oop a joey fathered a joey. You will know for sure that they are sexually mature when their pom poms drop. Bald spot alone is not a indication of a mature male. Look at their underbelly. If their poms are still tight against their body then they are not mature. If they are loose or danglin' like dads, then yes they are sexually mature.

All gliders do mature and grow at different rates.

I'll check their poms when I get the chance. And I won't separate them from their parents until they're weaned, but I'd like to keep them together as long as possible...and separate them for as short a time as possible... to increase the possibility of putting them back together.

I am not sure what I'll do if I have to keep two cages. I have the cages, but I don't have the time to clean and play with two separate groups of gliders. That's why I got Alistair neutered...although I am EXTREMELY glad that we had these joeys. I was hoping for little girls. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the advice!