Anatomy 101

So often I hear people in a panic because they just don't know what is normal or abnormal in glider anatomy. I hear about 'deformed toes" and worms sticking out of anus and gliders balding and so on so often.

So, I am asking for our members to share photos and information regarding NORMAL glider anatomy for others to see and learn from.

The BACK FEET
A sugar glider's back feet include a "big toe" that does not have a nail and two toes that are fused together and used for grooming. This leaves only two nails on each back foot that have to be clipped.






The PENIS

The sugar glider's penis is bifricated and, when extended, will look like two red worms sticking out.

I'm having trouble accessing my Photobucket account at the moment so I can't put up the picture that I want. But I can't tell you how many times I've had people contact me and in the course of conversation, will tell me that their gliders teeth were just incredibly long and they have been afraid that their bottom teeth will poke into the roof of their mouths. This will not happen. A gliders teeth do not continue to grow and should never be filed or "floated" and if a tooth is lost, another does not grow back in its place.

Good one!
Here are some glider teeth shots:




And here are normal bald spots on intact male gliders:

Somewhere I have pictures of joeys going INTO pouch. Not really anatomy, but, still a good thing to reference, and pretty cool to see. I'll dig them and my photobucket up.