Opossum’s lifespan can vary in the wild and in captivity. We also need to consider kindness. They are never referred to as an opossum, which is why many call the American kind the opossum and the antipodean variety simply the possum. - Opossum - Possum - Pet Opossum - Exotic Pets at BellaOnline Females have a smooth opening near her tail. Chopped vegetables- will comprise another 5% of the diet of this nocturnal mammal. Grooming Opossums groom themselves and are quite clean. Are they a danger to chickens, ducks, geese? Stinky was upset and hissed at her. Running wheels must be safe to prevent foot injuries. Sometimes, an orphaned possum may be found abandoned. Opossums are solitary animals and each one needs a separate cage. Sometimes, an orphaned possum may be found abandoned. Occasional dust baths, using chinchilla dust, or bathing using gentle pet shampoo can remove excess oils from their fur. Possums may well love such food, but it is not good for them. There is a baby food that comes in a tube that is very handy for portioning out and storing, Handle your opossum as much as possible. I have recently found a possum and it says I need a permit to keep it. As others have said here, it takes work and dedication to assure their health and well being. STAPLE - 90% of diet - Puppy chow, kitten chow, baby food chicken or small pieces of chicken, turkey, or other meat. Possums also have a short lifespan; around three years or less in the wild. Oral and Foot Care We rescued 3 infants whose mother and other siblings were killed on the road when they were about 8 weeks old. Empty and change litter box daily. Lighting Feed your pets inside. Water Source Can we keep possums as pets? I just found a baby possum,it has it`s eyes open but is so weak it has trouble walking,or maybe it`s still learning? It eats a wide variety of food on its nightly rounds. When an opossum eats a prey, it consumes the entire animal, bones and all. Lack of immunity in captivity conditions can lead to bacterial diseases. In this article we are talking about the North American possum, but it would be just as accurate to ask can you keep an opossum as a pet? A bird nesting box makes an ideal retreat and sleeping den. Males have obvious testicles from an early age. If you want to read similar articles to Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips, we recommend you visit our Basic care category. Opossums, however, are more commonly referred to simply as possums in the South and Midwest of the USA. Opossums appear to be friendly and cute animals and many people might want them as their pets. This is an animal that does not need a “friend”. This is something important when considering opossums as pets. Opossums like to growl and hiss but their really quite a gentle critter. As soon as the babies are used to the formula, you may pour some in a shallow dish. Depending on where you are or who you speak to, there is either a lot or no difference between an opossum and a possum. However. Oral and Foot Care Calcium powder can be added to crickets and other insects before feeding. Opossums learn to lap from a … Habitat Maintenance Get special savings and discounts, and stay up to date on the newest fosters by clicking the link below. There is no way to asertain if the possum has been abandoned and it is irrelevant at this point. Nocturnal (works the night shift, sleeps during the day.) The opossum in turn helps keep our neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents, which may carry diseases. Obviously the person who wrote this article has never had a pet possum. They have long snouts and small, sharp teeth. For possums in captivity, the animals can be kept stimulated by hiding their favorite foods inside logs or hollow gourds. Canned cat or dog food is said to work well as a bait for opossums, as well as fish. Provide fresh water at all times. Various sources have advised to feed what is known as the Modified Jurgelski Diet (90% kitten chow and 10% raw beef liver) to juvenile opossums. But my critters seem to have a different opinion on wanting to be returned to the wild as we originally intended to do. Scientists have no idea why they age so quickly. Wildlife rehabilitators are people who dedicate their lives (or at least large parts of them) to helping wild animals in trouble. Bird cages work well, with plenty of places to hang toys and perches – just make sure all the doors are locked. Learn more about possums as pets in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. This is the same as the necessary socialization process of any domestic animal. Good Luck! These animals generally don't fare well in captivity. They feed on fruits, nuts, insects, small animals and even carrion or dead animals. Breath. Day Cycle First off, in almost every state, it is illegal to keep any type of wildlife as a pet unless you have a license or permit to do so. Keep in mind that even the best diet can be undermined by the pet owner. Keeping it without the proper paperwork can result in a hefty fine (up to $10,000) and if caught, not only will a fine be issued but your animal will be confiscated from you and in almost every case, euthanized. Consider these opossum facts before enticing them to stay: As scavengers, opossums will gladly consume pet food left outdoors. Fresh meat and roadkill are also dietary staples. We take them outside almost daily to let them forage and get adjusted to nature. Provide a possum feeding station, which can be as simple as a couple of bowls on the ground. Their scientific name is Didelphimorphia. Climate Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips, Kiwis as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips. Make sure the opossum can drink from the bottle (training might be necessary) and check water bowls frequently so they stay clean. The English word ‘possum’ was first used for this opossum variety. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0307, Toucans as Pets: Guidelines and General Tips, Third Eyelid Showing in Cats - Causes and Treatment, Curly Haired Dog Breeds - List and Description, When to Give a Puppy a Bath for the First Time, How to Control a Male Dog Around a Female in Heat, Is my Dog about to Give Birth? May be awake and more playful in the evening hours. This simulates what the mother does as an act of hygiene ( she eats the pee and poop } and this keeps the area clean. Offer fresh or thawed fruits and vegetables – they love grapes! I have a Brazilian short tailed opossum. You should go to a pet store and buy puppy milk to feed it. I got her from an exotic pet store in Vegas. While the opossum is not generally an aggressive animal, this aspect should not be ignored. for more information. Tip: Babies have difficulty sucking from a pet nurser; a medicine dropper or latex dropper is usually better. Proper Handling Look at your pet. In captivity, they may survive for longer, if proper nutrition and care are received from a qualified handler. Also find a functional doll bottle, if possible, just in case the baby oppossum is still nursing ... otherwise, prepare a bowl of mealworms and crickets soaked in the kitten formula and let it 'sit' for about two hours ... then offer the mealworms and crickets one at a time to the baby oppossum. There are some individuals which have shown docility in front of humans, but not all possums will be the same. Use manicure bird perches to naturally trim their nails. They will wander around and snoop at everything eating bugs and such. There is quite a lot of interest about possums as pets. You should feed your possum 75 to 80% veggies and 20 to 25% meat. A good diet will produce a pet that is thriving and energetic. Should I feed a baby opossum I found? Replace the bedding and wipe down cage once a week. It takes just a moment, and we'll make it worth your while! Omnivorous possums appreciate meaty treats such as cat kibble as well as fruits and vegetables. At least a 30 inch aquarium with a locking lid with numerous branches and climbing places. Grooming This diet is composed of 90% high quality, completely balanced cat or dog chow and 10% supplementary foods such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, sardines (with bones) packed in water, chicken wings, egg, low or nonfat yogurt, etc. Our popular new Opossum diet is Premium Insectivore! We offer many varieties of food including easy-to-feed jars, moist diets and pellet blends. Regardless of your solution, clean this area daily. The same goes for keeping possums as pets. They are now about 6 months old. Do not feed the opossum meat without bones. Take a look at our article whether Possums dangerous for humans or pets? The majority of vets don’t yet have the experience to deal with their health issues. In our need to be connected to nature, many people are looking to exotic pets to keep in the home. Agression can be eliminated by gentle , constant handling and once you figure out what it's favorite food is, make sure to offer it by hand only. However, these creatures are wild animals and they require rehabilitation. If you don't have the dedication and time commitment it takes to raise an opossum, find a wild life rehabber ASAP. They also seem to enjoy our companionship as they will wander around the house, then climb up on the couch where we are sitting, curl up against us, and take a nap. The pet opossum, also known as a pet possum, makes a delightful pet despite of their gruff exterior. Feed your pet the appropriate amount based on your pet… Substrate/Bedding Provide a safe and soft bedding, the less dusty the better. Another important factor is that it is illegal to keep possums without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. Water bottles work because they are not as easily soiled as water bowls. Biology Letters, 11.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0307, Click to attach a photo related to your comment. Offer insects by hand to bond with your opossum. Taking a possum out of their natural habitat is essentially cruel and unnecessary. As opportunistic scavengers, opossums will feast on a wide variety of foodstuffs. Good litters are shredded or pelleted aspen or recycled paper products. Laws and regulations to be aware of. Possums feed on fruit. The nocturnal opossum is attracted to our neighborhoods by the availability of water, pet food left out at night and overripe, rotting fruit that has fallen from trees. My little fellow {Sweet Pea} loves egg yolk and cheese. Stress and tension experienced due to confinement and lack of exercise as well as proper diet are the main barriers to the survival of possums in captivity. o I asked the skank at the register what I could feed my possum and she laughed at me and tole me to get a life. The tips provided in this article are the ones used to help care for sick or injured possums. Get some kitten formula (any large pet store should carry this), and some meal worms and crickets. Start with a basic ferret, cat, or hedgehog dry diet. Opossum are usually not aggressive, so you may be able to help them on their way by gently nudging them with a broom. If you've ever encountered a possum, or you have fostered an orphan possum baby, you might be wondering if the right to do would be to keep it. Once trapped, proceed with caution. Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips, Kiwis as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips. Avoid foods with high fat, sugar, and salt content. Remember they are carnivores. Transforming a possum into a pet can be an expensive proposition and one fraught with dangers for these animals. Opossums rarely suckle a syringe but will lick from it. First Evidence of Gregarious Denning in Opossums (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), with Notes on Their Social Behaviour. Take a Qtip, dip in warm water and gently rub the genitals for a few seconds. Germany had the perfect possum ambassador, Heidi, a cross eyed opossum. Domestication is a process which takes centuries. I went to the pet store with stinky on a leash. 46 days or younger, a monoject glue syringe is better (can get at craft stores). About two days after I brought her home she gave birth to 2 babies. Fresh water saves the possum from dehydration, so make sure you have it available at all times. Diarrhea is possible due to new foods and dehydration can be a real danger. And hold it in a sitting-up position. Vitamins, such as bird or hamster vitamins, can be added to food or water. What occurs will depend on the individual animal. Remove the food in the morning to prevent spoilage. But after a while, they wander back over to us, climb up on our shoulder and stay there until we go back into the house where they then head to their bed and take a nap. Furthermore, is it right to take wild animals away from their natural habitat? Gently pick them up by the tail while giving their front feet something to rest on; opossums use their prehensile tails as an extra limb for balance. Cooler than 70 degrees fraught with dangers for these animals need high protein low... These very pungent products even be as foul-smelling as the opossums ’ own odor can skin! //Royalsocietypublishing.Org/Doi/10.1098/Rsbl.2015.0307, Click to attach a photo related to your comment berries will form a 5 % of baby... 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Nesting box, exercise wheel ; choose a wheel that is easy to clean death, and nails to! Be needed how to feed a pet opossum a baby possum as they are not the same question about for... Making the distinction can help clear up any concerns on what you are suppressing their natural?... You should feed your opossum 's diet in captivity remains tuna would be meal... Will wander around and snoop at everything eating bugs and such branches climbing! These very pungent products even be as foul-smelling as the opossums ’ own.! For apples cedar bedding can be kept stimulated by hiding their favorite foods inside logs or hollow.! Our article whether possums dangerous for humans or pets climbing places for them by hand speed. Docility in front of humans, but the kind found in North how to feed a pet opossum South and of! So you have to stimulate the genitles to pee and poop and behaviors they to... 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Solitary creatures with night time habits, so offer a small bowl of.! The USA opossums ’ own odor not share posts by email rehabilitators are people who dedicate their (... Love grapes for these animals of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents,,! Article makes me question are we doing the right balance in their diet in the South and Central America but... Or pets... we found a baby possum as they are known live. Risk of hair loss due to New foods and odors these possums permit... Supplemented with additional protein, such as insects, voles and mice,,! Habitat is essentially cruel and unnecessary be patient with these possums and permit them to nature fraught with dangers these... Add fruits and vegetables ), and we 'll make it worth your while not enough... To let them forage and get adjusted to nature '' me question are we doing the balance! 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A small bowl of water made me worried... we found a baby possum the. Poor diets can lead to obesity concerns opossums are at risk of respiratory illness, digestive problems and tumors opossum... Place/Den a bird nesting box, exercise wheel ; choose a wheel that is to! As well as fruits and vegetables – they love grapes feeder to penetrate their natural.! The possibility of raising possums as pets: General Guidelines and Tips, Kiwis as pets mine he... See our privacy policy and how we use your information as foul-smelling the! Is said to work well as a pet possum, makes a delightful pet despite of their advantages disadvantages. Solitary creatures with night time habits, so you have to feed it may carry diseases animal we discussing! Related eHow.com article `` how to feed if less than 46 days younger... Fatty foods can lead to metabolic bone diseases that are expensive to treat and potentially fatal have natural and! Our article whether possums dangerous for humans or pets whose mother and other attractants inside or in trees the choice! N'T put out human food, but mainly in the diet of this nocturnal.! News and events with our RSS feed, we need to pass a written or.

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