Before you decide to breed take into mind the following

Recessive Genes
By Jennifer Bender
The leucistic, albino, and creamino color variations are a simple recessive gene. In order for the
colors to be visible, the sugar glider must inherit the specific color recessive trait (a) from both
parents. If one parent passes the recessive trait (a) and the other passes the dominate wild type
trait (A), the offspring will be normal coloration, but is considered a het since the sugar glider does
have the gene. In some pairings, it is possible for both parents to pass the dominate wild type trait
(A), resulting in gray gliders that will not have the color gene. Below are sample pairings using a
punnet square. Punnet squares are used to calculate the genetic possibilities of the offspring.
A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
A
A
A
AA AA
A
AA AA
This is a pairing of 2 standard sugar gliders. You will not see a colored sugar glider from this
pairing, nor will you have a het produced.
A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
A
a
A
AA Aa
A
AA Aa
This paring is a het for a specific coloration (Aa), and a wild type, or standard color sugar glider
(AA). Again, you will not see a colored glider from this pairing. However, 50% of the time you will
produce hets for the specific color. 50% of the time, the offspring will be normal in color and not
have the color gene. These parings are often done to outbreed the color lines. Out breeding helps
to stabilize the lines and prevent genetic problems, such as sterility or genetic deformities, either
emotional or physical.
A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
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a
a
A
Aa Aa
A
Aa Aa
This paring is for a colored sugar glider (aa) and a wild type, or standard color sugar glider (AA).
Again, you will not see a color sugar glider from this pairing. However, 100% of the time you will
produce leucistic hets. This is usually another pairing done to outbreed the color lines.
A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
A
a
A
AA Aa
a
Aa aa
This paring is for 2 hets for a specific coloration (Aa). In this pairing you will see color 25% of the
time, 50% of the time you will produce a het, and 25% of the time you will produce a normal
colored sugar glider without the color gene. Often times this is where you will see sugar gliders
sold as 66% possible hets. This means that the sugar glider has a 66% chance at carrying the
gene. One sugar glider out of 4 will show color. If the sugar glider is not of color, we know that
one of the 4 potential outcomes can be eliminated. This leaves 3 other options. Looking at the
square, you can see that 2 of the 3 options are a het for the color, while one is just a normal color
joey. Averaging the new odds, the sugar glider has a 66% chance at having the color gene, and a
33% chance at being a standard color glider without the gene.
A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
a
a
A
Aa Aa
a
aa aa
This paring is for a colored sugar glider (aa), and a het for the specific coloration (Aa) This pairing
you will see color 50% of the time, 50% of the time you will produce a het. Standard colored
gliders are sold as 100% hets. Since one of the parents displays color, we know all offspring have
the color gene.
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A= Dominate Standard Gene
a= Recessive Color Gene
a
a
a
a
a
aa
a
a
a
aa
This paring is for 2 colored sugar gliders. These pairings will see color 100% of the time. Often
times these pairings are not recommended. We do not know if there is a fatal white gene in sugar
gliders at this time. In addition, the color recessive lines are tightly bred. It is important for
responsible breeders to continue to outbreed the lines to ensure the lines genetic health.
Quick Guide
Standard to Standard= Standard 100% of the time
Color to Standard= Hets 100% of the time
Color to Het= 50% Color/50% Hets
Het to Het= 50% Hets/25% Standard/25% Color (often times sugar gliders that do not have color
are sold as 66% possible hets. This is because of the 4 possibilities, 1 sugar glider will show
color, therefore only leaving 3 possibilities if the sugar glider does not have color.)
Color to Color= 100% Color
Note: Percentages are based on the probability of having a 100% het. A glider is either a 100%
het or a standard. In other words, when buying a 50% possible het, you have a 50% chance the
sugar glider is a 100% het, and a 50% chance it is a standard color without the gene.
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