Two abandoned possums have babies in pouches

The sugar gliders were assessed by a vet

Two of the six sugar glider possums found dumped in a box outside a Lidl supermarket have babies in their pouches, health checks have revealed.

Sugar gliders - which have a thin membrane of skin creating "wings" allowing them to glide through tree tops - are native to Australia.

The four females and two males are now being cared for at the Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder in West Lothian.

The zoo said that while it is still too early to assess the condition of the young, being exposed to the cold and stress of abandonment posed serious risks to both the offspring and their parents.

Two sugar gliders were found to have babies in their pouches

The sugar gliders have now had a comprehensive health check by the zoo's expert wildlife vet, Dr Romain Pizzi.

This included sexing, microchipping, and evaluating their overall condition.

A spokeswoman for the zoo said: "As the sugar gliders approach the end of their 30-day quarantine, our team continues to provide the specialised care they need to ensure a smooth transition into their new home."

The zoo previously said the animals were likely to be exotic pets that someone could no longer care for.

Sugar gliders have a thin membrane of skin creating "wings" allowing them to glide through tree tops

Over the years, the zoo has provided a home for rescued animals, including bears and lions saved from traveling circuses, roadside restaurants, and warzones.

A number of exotic or unusual animals have been on the loose in Scotland in recent months.

Earlier this year, four lynx were captured after being on the loose in the Highlands and a number of feral pigs were caught and killed after being spotted about five miles from the area where the lynx were found.

And last year a Japanese macaque monkey escaped from the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore, and was found by a woman in her garden.