Tell me a little about the males.: Males have scent glands located on their neck, chest, anus, and forehead, used to mark their territory. The smell is faint and hardly noticeable when the glider is in a clean habitat, on a good diet, and in good health. Intact adult males can be identified by the presence of a bald spot, on it's forehead, and the chest gland can also be seen. Males neutered before puberty, do not develop the scent glands responsible for the bald spots. Adult males will loose their bald spots upon neutering, as their scent glands will become inactive. The male sugar glider has a bifurcated penis which means it is divided in two. The penis is thin, long, and pink. Often times new owners will mistake their penis for a worm, or intestine. Males can be identified by the presence of a scrotum that has the appearance of a wart where you would expect a belly button to be. Males will reach sexual mature between 4 to 12 months of age depending on genetics, diet, and care. The development of the bald spots caused by active scent glands is a sign the male has reached sexual maturity.

Tell me a little about the females.: Females can be identified by the pouch opening on her abdomen. The pouch opening is viewed as a vertical slit where you would expect to see a belly button. Females will mature between 6 to 18 months of age, depending on her conditions, genetics, and diet. The younger the female, the higher risk of neglected babies. Female sugar gliders have 2 separate vaginae and cervixes and a divided uterus Female sugar gliders cycle about once every 29 days. Pregnancy for a female lasts between 15-17 days. Upon giving birth, the babies move up into the pouch where they will remain the next 60-70 days. Females will usually breed until they are between 5-8 years of age. Some may breed longer. Females normally have 1 to 2 babies at a time. It is possible for a female to have up to 4 joeys in the pouch at a time. A female’s milk changes often during the developmental stages of the baby in the pouch. Female sugar gliders are able to maintain babies of different developmental stages. Each milk gland works individually and is able to change and support each baby at their stage of development.

What sex makes a better pet?: Overall there are no relation to sex and temperament in sugar gliders. Males and females can be equally calm, loving, and bonded. Just like people, each sugar glider has a different personality. It is recommended when looking for a pet, to meet them in person before adoption. This will ensure that the sugar glider’s personality fits yours.

Males: Intact males do have a musky order do to active scent glands on the head, chest, and anus. Pairing intact males together is usually not recommended. Intact males that are living together may not always get along after reaching maturity. Pairings that involve one or more neutered males usually will work out after hormone levels drop proceeding the neutering procedure. Pairing in intact male and female together will most likely result in breeding and offspring.

Females: Females tend to smell less than males, due to less active scent glands. Usually two or more females will get along great provided they are introduced properly. Introducing females at a young age increases your chances of the females getting along. Pairing a female with an intact male will most likely result in breeding and offspring. Due to the complex reproductive system, females are never recommended to be altered. The surgery to spay a marsupial female is invasive, stressful, and very complex. In order to prevent unwanted offspring, keep the female with a neutered the male, or house the female with another female.

Neutered Males: Males are usually neutered to prevent breeding/inbreeding, but there are many more social and health benefits. Testosterone is a male hormone that is produced by the males testies. Since the testies are removed during a neuter, the testosterone levels are significantly decreased. By lowering the testosterone levels, the scent glands become less active and therefore the sugar glider has less odor. Neutered males also tend to be more docile, and loving towards their human companions, as well as their cage mates. Intact males living together may result in territorial and dominance fighting. Sometimes these fights may leave one or more sugar gliders severally injured or even dead. Neutering one or all males in a colony will often allow them to be housed together happily.