RIP little Topaz. :(

[Nivrocco]

I released one that I had raised this spring..same scenario, mom and siblings were all dead on the road.I tried not to handle him too much as I knew we wanted to release him. We named him Opie as in O.P. as in Opossum..

 

[CaGoatLady]

Poor little guy. If we had opossums here more often, I'm sure I'd end up taking some in. When you keep some and tame them, do they stay near you when they're out and about? What do you keep them in?

 

[tampitt]

possums are one of my favorite animals.

 

[AHappychick]

wow what a cutie. so if tamed would they eat your chooks if given the chance, are they like dogs? was it kept in a cage? would it come when called? please tell me more

And if a possum is found recently dead there is a chance that there are babies in her pouch? are they like Kangaroos and not really developed? or are they born developed and just hang out in pouch?

I will never pass by a dead possum the same way again.

 

[verity]

'Possums are wonderful creatures --

-- I just love them!

Good for you and your family for loving these amazing animals --

I'm sorry about little Topaz' death -- he was loved and would have had absolutely NO chance to live if it hadn't been for you --

Thank you for sharing these super pictures --

(I know! I know! They DO eat chickens -- but so do people!)

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Awww, sorry.

We kill oppossums here alot but a couple years ago a moma got trapped in the feed bin and when my DH went to whack her I saw babies and screamed NOOOOOOO!!! LOL I saved her and her babies and relocated them. Now, I find myself always checking to make sure it isn't a moma!

 

[babylady4]

What a fantastic environment for your kids to grow up in!

I am so sorry about your little 'possum, he was cute. At least he did live a very easy safe life at your hands.

 

[sred98]

So sorry about Topaz.

I've raised possums in the past, also. My favorite was Penelope. All the others were turned loose, but she preferred to stay.

Her favorite foods were chocolate filled donuts (she got in the box!) and her own poop!

But, that's a possum for you!

I never had any problems with her trying to eat chickens or turtles, or any other pets like that. She used to love going for a ride on the cat. She'd wait til he was asleep, and climb on!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Sounds like maybe he had something going on from birth. Glad you rescued him and gave him a nice life.

How is Diamond doing without her brother? She needs some extra attention!

Shelly

 

[luvmychicknkids]

That's funny, sred, my very first "hands on" experience with opossums was when I was about 12 or so. We had two alone babies, just old enough to eat on their own, show up in our yard. I named them Percival and Penelope.

They never were terribly tame, but did get used to me and even let me treat them for fleas.

Diamond seems sad, a bit lost, alone. I know she will. Poor girl. She has never known a time without him.

Thanks for asking all the questions, guys. I will try to make sure I answer all of them.

I LOVE sharing about them.....it helps people see that they aren't just nasty, chicken killing monsters with a mouth full of teeth.

First, when they are born they are helpless and crawl to the pouch where they stay until they have fur and their eyes open. They then explore but go back to the pouch for milk, safety, warmth. Yes, there can be babies inside the pouch. Topaz was in his mom's pouch nursing. The other babies were scattered all over the road. If I see a dead opossum I stop, see if it is female, and if so I check the pouch. Which can be GROSS inside so you can't say you weren't forewarned!!! LOL Rubber gloves come in VERY handy!!!

I don't know if they would eat the chickens if they were released back to the wild (I am sure they would) but these guys wouldn't dream of it. Food comes on a plate, you know.

My mother has a handicapped chicken (a TINY handicapped chicken) that lives with her opossum and she doesn't pay any attention to her......she would rather go talk to the bunny so she just ignores her.

These all live/d in the house. Not caged. They are paper and outdoor potty trained. They won't come when called but tend to stay VERY close by. They eat almost anything and need a good variety of vegetables, meat, grains.

They are extremely clean animals. They hate to be dirty and try to stay as clean as they can. All these are really good about baths....seem to love them in fact. Oh, and they are SOFT!!!! I love to snuggle their hair. Their ears are so sweet, almost feel like little thin pieces of rubber or plastic. Their little hands are nothing short of perfect....oh, and they not only have a prehensile tail, they have an opposable thumb!!! (on their back foot) Now how cool is THAT?????

I am sure I am forgetting some of the important stuff......but maybe, it will help someone look at one different.

Oh, and as for husbands killing their wives......LOL my poor hubby learned a long time ago stressing over animals was totally pointless unless he is stressing over how to help them!!! Thankfully he loves them as much as I do.

He had no clue what he was getting into when he married me!!!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Hijacking here but what happend with the scorpions?? How many babies did she end up having?