š¬ The Marsh Trio Arrives | The Start of the Mallow Line
Not long after the Sharq Siblings joined the Grove, the Keepers heard about another small family of gliders in need of a homeāa well-bonded trio that had been part of a small breeding program. Their names? Papa, Mama, and Marsha Mallow. Naturally, we called them The Marsh Trio.
We hoped this trio might become the start of a new colony for Benji. With his past attempts at bonding falling through, we were open to the idea that perhaps a colony dynamicāwith multiple glidersāmight suit him better. But more than anything, we wanted to give this little family a safe, quiet home in the Grove.
One-third of the Marsh Trio - Marsha Mallow, part of the trio that helped start it all.
š” Settling In... and an Unexpected Illness
Shortly after their arrival, things took an unexpected turn.
Mama developed an infection in her cheek, and the vet recommended surgery to help her heal. After the procedure, we had to separate her from the others to allow her wound to recover properly. As much as sugar gliders are social animals, they also have a natural instinct to groom each otherāand in some cases, that grooming can become a little too enthusiastic. We worried that Marsha or Papa might over-groom Mamaās stitches, so she was moved to a separate recovery cage right beside her family.
While she healed, we visited her constantlyābringing treats, keeping her warm, and speaking softly to her so she wouldnāt feel alone.
Mama in her bonding pouch having some one on one time
𤯠A Surprise (x2!)
As Mama began to improve, we noticed something... both Mama and Marsha Mallow were carrying joeys in pouch!
We were overjoyedāand just a little nervous. These would be the first joeys ever born in the Grove.
But with that joy came a decision we didnāt take lightly. Because Mama had been separated for so long during her healing, reintroducing her to the others could be risky. Female gliders, especially in trios with a male, can sometimes grow territorial or competitive during pouch time. In rare cases, gliders may even attempt to remove or harm each other's joeys, especially if they feel their place in the social hierarchy has been threatened.
While some trios do work beautifully together to raise joeys, it takes careful monitoring, experience, and trust. We made the hard choice to keep Mama separated for the remainder of her pregnancyāand for the safety of her joey.
š¼ Learning as We Go
At the time, we were still fairly new to breeding and colony dynamics, and every glider taught us something new. Weāve since learned that even well-bonded trios can become complicated once joeys are in the picture. Some parents co-parent smoothlyāothers struggle with jealousy, insecurity, or shifting bonds.
What we do know for certain is this: the love we have for each of them, and the joy of watching these little lives grow, is always worth the learning curve.
Coming soon: the first joeys born in the Groveāand the start of the Mallow legacy.