Orphaned Opossum

[Skyesrocket]

One study of possum's stomachs in the wild showed 27% mammals, 11% leaf litter, 10%fruit seeds, bulbs, 10% gastropods, 9% garbage, 9% earthworms, 9% pet food, 8% grass, green leaves, 3% insects, 3% birds, 1% misc animal tissue.
Another study was done in a different area of the country that showed lizards and frogs and carrion with 18% fruit and 6.6% grasses.
I have been feeding mine a diet based on that information. Because he is young I have increased calcium levels with yogurt and goats milk and hardboiled eggs with shells on, but broken open, and he gets the carcass of chicken breasts and he eats the rib bones along with the meat. He also gets insects and I let him out in the yard in hopes that he will eat grass or find whatever his diet is lacking on his own. I hesitate to mention, because I don't want to upset people, but mine also gets pinky rats. My husband breeds rats for his snakes. He likes over ripened fruit and gets a lot of that. And good quality catfood. He gets a buffet of the above and some days he is in the mood for fruit and other days he wants meat. His favorites are grasshoppers, pinkies, applesauce and yogurt.
I'm interested in what others are feeding theirs.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

I am amazed at how many chicken people have pet possums!
I raised and released one myself, some years back and have several times advocated their virtues to people who despise them based on their appearance (admittedly not the cutest things in the world). I can't add anything helpful, really, just say kudos to all who can respect and care for all critters, even if their wild kin might want to eat our pets!
I also have an affinity for raccoons. My dad raised an orphaned pair and still had the female when I was a little kid. I think they are adorable and that they get a bad rap for doing what nature tells them to! I HAVE had raccoon attacks here but the fool hen who sleeps outside the coop everyday is just inviting that. My dog keeps saving her (partially for her sake and partially cuz he keeps trying to befriend the bandit!) so I haven't lost any yet, but still, I respect all things. Maybe I am a bit too softhearted.... it took a few months of rats IN MY HOUSE before I could work up to using snap traps. I don't think things should be killed unless A. you intend to eat them or B. they are a serious threat.
Sorry for the rambling, I just think ya'll are cool for showing compassion to potential predators.

 

[Frankiesgrl]

I have 3 baby possums that showed up after a flood', We live in the country so they are pretty safe under my house so far. I have been feeding them cat food, watermelon. Oranges, left covers and so on, my husband laughs cause they are waiting by our front door at 530 am for breakfast, exactly how much do they eat and there is one that is half the size of the other 2. The bowl they are eating out of is a Gatorade container top-

 

[Starlings and dogs]

One night when got home we found a dead mommy opossum and maybe around 8 babies the next morning we put the babies and dead mom in the woods its been around 2 years and we always see opossums

I think the mom was killed by are dog

 

[Starlings and dogs]

I took in a litter of orphans. (Mom was shot.)

The only advice I would add is to make sure it can not escape what you have it in.

This little cutie managed to escape the cage that held it's siblings.

It took a day to find it in my house!

Sooooo cute