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Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?!

Posted By: shelicourtney

Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/14/15 07:13 PM

We have a pair of sugar gliders that we bought for my daughter for her birthday in April. Since we got them, they have had two "successful" twin pregnancies (successful as in she carries them until they are out of the pouch), but when the babies come out of the pouch, for some reason, the momma sugar eats them. The first time she did it, we found tiny bones and skeletal remains from both babies. I thought it may have been because there was something wrong with them and they weren't healthy, but after her 2nd pregnancy and she did the same thing, I am wondering if there is something else that may be the issue. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted By: BYK_Chainsaw

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 01:58 PM

I would suggest finding a vet locally that can handle gliders. Maybe see if a breeder is around your area and would be willing to talk to you. Sounds like something is going on with mommy, something is making her overly stressed?
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 03:21 PM

Do you know her age?

What diet plan do you have her on?

How does the male act toward the joeys? Does he help at all once they are out of pouch?
Posted By: shelicourtney

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 06:15 PM

Thank you. I have called around and there are no vets in the area that handles sugar gliders...we live in a very rural area, so exotics are not easily dealt with...if it was my cow, that would be a different story!! Thanks for the advise, I will see if I can find a breeder in this area.
Posted By: shelicourtney

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 06:27 PM

I do not know the exact age. My niece bought them from an individual and I believe they said they were about a year old at that time, which was in April. I feed Kit & Kat the leadbeater's diet plan. My male, Kit, seemed fine with the babies. When I say they were out of pouch, we never saw them completely out of the pouch. Their bodies would be out, but their heads were always still in the pouch. With the last set, when I witnessed Kat eating one of the babies, Kit was in the other "house"...we have two different hanging houses, that they usually are both together in one or the other, but that particular day, he was in the other house, like he didn't want to witness or be a part of it, maybe?!?!? I am at a loss....maybe she isn't meant to be a momma?!?!?
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 07:51 PM

It is entirely possible she is not meant to be a mom for whatever reason. Some gliders just aren't, and you will never know the reason she does this.

But you do know she has with two consecutive sets of joeys who appeared to be healthy.

For that reason, I strongly urge you to have Kit neutered as soon as possible to avoid another pregnancy, although it is highly possible she is already carrying another set of joeys which may very well suffer the same fate.

Posted By: Feather

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 12/15/15 08:20 PM

Karen is right, some gliders don't want to be parents. I suggest getting the male neutered and enjoying your gliders.

If you click on the word vet, it will take you to the database and you will hopefully be able to find a vet to take care of your sugar gliders.
Posted By: Aqua

Re: Why is my momma sugar glider eating her babies?!?!?! - 01/18/16 03:32 AM

My female seems to "kick out" her mate for short periods around the time babies are OOP. Mine did cannibalize one of their first babies, but it seems more that after a couple weeks OOP they got left alone too long and got chilled and hungry. Are they stressed for any reason? After two failed pregnancies, I agree it may be best to neuter,
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