Orphaned Opossum

[Mother Goosey]

Once he gets older and a little more active, assuming I get approved for a permit to keep him, I'll probably build a 10' x 10' x 10' indoor enclosure with branches, toys, and other enrichment opportunities. If I get to keep him his name will be Ozzy. <3 I think it would be awesome to also use him as an educational tool. A lot of people are so misguided when it comes to these curious little creatures of the night. I personally find them adorable.~

Right now he spends majority of the day snuggled up in a bonding pouch(used to have sugargliders) in my bosom(trying to be polite, lol) to keep him warm, only taking him out even 2 - 3 hours for potty and food time. Once his eyes open he should be a little more active than sleeping most of day.

 

[jentralala]

Thanks! I thought as juveniles/adults their diets vary from fruits, veggies, insects, small mammals, and amphibians? I do know they're lactose intolerant and it's not generally recommended you allow them to get obese, so intake should be supervised rather than free feeding, and ofcourse they need exercising and enrichment, in the form of toys, attention, and foraging opportunities. I've always secretly wanted a pet opossum. Thinking about getting a permit for ownership. I mean, he's growing up alone, no clue what another opossum looks like.

I know they have natural born instincts but I think a solely human raised possum may have trouble fitting in, maybe?

Edit: He's currently on Esbilac Puppy Milk Replace, 2 parts water, 1 part formula since he's regained hydration. I'll gradually up the formula/water ratio. He has healthy colored stools, a nice brown/tan color and pees almost every 3 hours. Thinking Wombaroo Possum Milk Replacer may be more suitable though.

From what I recall (bear in mind it's been awhile!) many captive opossums are fed too many sugars in the form of fruits, and too little protein/calcium. This can lead to a lot of bone issues. I remember we fed ours cat food, crickets, veggies (leafy greens and things like squash), and had supplements added into the food (what they were...I really can't recall.) They will also consume eggs and young birds in nests, and I think perhaps snakes? Obesity can be a pretty common issue with these guys.

Opossums can have a very hard time acclimating back to the wild, and they're one of the few that can really thrive in captivity (obviously this is NOT advocating for taking them from the wild, but they do better in captivity than most animals (like raccoons, which make TERRIBLE pets) and can really bond with a human.) Have you ever seen a comparison of a captive opossum vs wild? The captive ones have much rounder snouts, it's so odd!

With their very short lifespans, if he bonds with you and seems happy, I think he could do well in captivity. It all depends on how he matures.


I had several teenage opossums I raised until they could be released, they're such fun animals (although STINK to high heaven) and mine always loved to be carried around and cuddled and spoiled. Once they were old enough though, they went outside into cages and got acclimated to nature and were soft-released on site.

 

[Mother Goosey]

Awww! That's sweet.~

Yes, it's called Metabolic Bone Disease. I'm well aware as I do keep reptiles and found it very fascinating these little fellas can suffer from the same thing. I do know they will naturally prey on reptiles, but that's why I have padlocks on all my cages. Keeps them in and curious animals out.

It's really sad they have such short lifespans. I remember when I learned about it, I was so shocked. To think a ferret can live 4 - 6 and is significantly smaller blew my mind! I had ferrets for YEARS. Four of 'em. Three of the four developed cancer and lost the fight. The final one, who was always fat and healthy, passed of depression after losing his sister. I'd say they'd live longer if not for all the genetic flaws of one major breeder supplying most, if not all, of them these days. It's even worse that, supposedly, their brand of ferret food, over prolonged time, moves the cancer along in development. Talk about twisting lives for a quick buck!

PS: If you ever see or consider a ferret and it has a tattoo(two dark parallel dots) on the inner ear, same breeder. They tattoo every single one of their ferrets that way as well as spay and neuter them before sale(probably to make sure no one else tries to compete).

 

[holm25]

He look's like he is about 7 weeks.

 

[jentralala]

So sorry about your ferrets They're such fun, curious animals, and so interactive!

You know, it's interesting you mentioned ferrets! Years ago I received a ferret through the place I volunteered at for wildlife, the owners kept him outside in a wire cage with no cover and only fed him table scraps. He weighed barely a pound when I got him, and was very lethargic and sickly. He was old, too, around 4. He stayed with us for a year, and although he gained weight he was never normal...He passed away due to a blood clot that caused seizures. I was never sure if it was something from genetics, just something that happened, or from his horrible care before I got him. I never knew about the tattoo thing, I really can't recall if he had any. That's interesting information for sure!

I know what you mean! I was so upset when I learned how short their lives are. It's so sad!

 

[Mother Goosey]

Turns out that any orphan has to be released, but you can trap any keep one as a pet with permits. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll trap him later on, instead of one of the other neighborhood possums. One can hope!

 

[Mother Goosey]

Look at who just opened his eyes!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Look at who just opened his eyes!

- lookin' good! Clearly in very good hands.

 

[happyhens1972]

Awwww, he is just adorable!

 

[Mother Goosey]

Thanks! Probably going to keep him in pouch until July 11th(but obviously let him out to climb around when he's out of the 'fragile baby' stage where he just eats, sleeps, and potties), since 10 is when they can kinda thermoregulate themselves with a heat pad. If he has trouble regulating himself I'll probably put him back in pouch for another week and run another 'test'.

In other news I've found out trapping season isn't until November here, so he'll probably be running around in the wild for a month or two before I can legally catch a possum for keeping, and even then I'm not guaranteed it's going to be him. I'm gonna miss him when it's time. Maybe he'll develop some strange marking on his fur that makes him identifiable to me, who knows.