Squirrel Glider - Nswfmpa.org

10 Breeding10.1 Mating SystemSquirrel gliders are polygynous, with a single male mating with more than one female perseason10.2 Ease of BreedingSquirrel gliders generally breed well in captivity and may breed at any time of the year.10.3 Reproductive Condition10.3.1 FemalesThe female squirrel glider has four teats and the pouch opens anteriorly (Lundrigan,B. Givin, M. 2000)• Nulliparous: no extension of teats, pouch muscles tight, few if any guard hairs, usuallyshorter and white in colour; no mammary gland activity.• Non-parous female: teats extended, light pink in colour, but no milk produced; some guardhairs, deep red in colour remain in pouch area; pouch deep and muscles relaxed relative tonulliparous females; mammary glands not active.• Pregnant females: pouch deepening with growth of deep Red Guard hairs, teats enlarged,deep pink in colour; mammary glands enlarged; no pouched young.• Fixed lactation: young attached to teat; Pouch deep, much growth of deep Red Guardhairs.• Free/late lactation: young not permanently attached to teat, deposited in nest while femaleforages.10.3.2 MalesMales have a small scent gland in the middle of the forehead and on the sternum that becomesincreasingly developed with age. The activity of the glands can be measured in the followingscale:• Little or no activity: little or no staining of the surrounding hair; little or no hair loss overthe gland area; no obvious gland product.• Medium level activity: some staining of the surrounding hair; some loss of hair over thegland area; waxy glandular products visible.• High activity: much staining of surrounding hair; total loss over gland area; waxyglandular product prominent.The male’s testes can increase in size during the breeding season.(Millis, A.L. Bradley, A.J. 2001)33