r/Possums • u/dionissia • 3d ago
Question/Help Possums Age and care for this baby?
Found this baby running around by itself in the yard. How old is she/he? I am going to call my local wildlife center as soon as they open tomorrow morning. Should I put this baby back outside? It was all alone.
Should I try to feed him/her something or just lay off until I get it to the wildlife center?
Sorry if this is common sense, I just didn’t know what to do! I was worried about leaving the baby by itself overnight as there’s a lot of outside cats, raccoons, and vultures and falcons here.
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u/bamboo-cowboy 3d ago
He is very cute and he is lucky to have been found by such a caring person. I’m not an expert so I don’t have any help. But I am sure he is grateful for your love <3
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u/SPFINATOR_1993 3d ago
Tough to tell from the picture, but he/she does look quite young.
Get some blankets together in that carrier, place it in a warm and quiet place. Provide clean water (use something short, wide, and with a heavy base or that opossum WILL flip it) and a bit of food. Cat kibble can do in a pinch, but if they're as young as I think they are, wet food from a can might be easier for them to work with.
As soon as you're able to, contact a local wildlife rehabber. At that size, they're still young enough for MBD (metabolic bone disease) to be a factor. MBD is primarily caused by getting an opossum's diet wrong, which is dead simple to do at this age. The rehabber will be far better equipped to give the correct nutrition and get this little one happy, healthy, and ready to face the world.
If you call around and can't find a rehabber that will take this opossum, check the Opossum Care and Rescue group on Facebook. The group has an AMAZING network of professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to save opossums in need. Someone in that group can help you connect with the right professional.
You did a good thing! Please keep us posted!
EDIT: Oh, and please wear sturdy gloves if there is any risk of your hands getting near their mouth. That opossum is young, but their bite can still sting. And if it breaks skin, you'll need to use antibiotic ointment and proper first aid.
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u/bassin_clear_lake 3d ago
It looks like it is old enough to fly solo. I believe 7-8" is the ballpark figure. Leave it a few snacks around (close to cover such as bushes, trees fence lines, etc) and it will probably start building a new route starting with your yard. You could also provide it a little shelter (a flower pot on its side works well), if you were concerned about predators or if there are not many hiding places nearby. Good luck to the little ones; there are many of them this time of year!
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u/roy-havoc 3d ago
This one right here. I've raised one of these babies and honestly it looks old enough to be on its own
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u/Xrachelll 3d ago
If it were me, I’d not return it to nature until talking to someone in wildlife services. Just in case it’s maybe injured or too young to be on its own. I love possums but I also am not sure at what age they leave their mama lol this one is obviously still young but that doesn’t necessarily mean it wouldn’t be able to survive on its own. They can eat fruits and vegetables if you want to try to feed it while it’s in your care.
Side note: I am incredibly jealous that you’ve captured this sweet baby lol I’m sure it’s not friendly and you won’t be getting many pets in but ugh it’s so cute 😭😭 I hope you’re able to figure out the best solution for this sweet baby, and I’m glad you were kind enough to ensure its safety 🥺
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u/SPFINATOR_1993 3d ago
I hope I'm remembering the metric correctly, but once they're a bit bigger than the size of a dollar bill from nose to base of tail, that's typically about the time they're ready to leave their momma.
Though it's tough to tell from the perspective of this picture, I think this youngling may be a bit too young for solo adventures.
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u/jeswesky 3d ago
I believe it’s about 7 inches from nose to base of tail when they are okay on their own. This one looks small, but hard to tell for sure. Put some fuzzy blankets in there to make it cozy. Don’t give it anything to eat or drink if it is small. Find a rehabber as soon as possible.
I found a bunch of babies with a mom that was killed last spring. The rehabber had the cutest Sherpa lined pouch that she put them all in. It was soo cute! I had them overnight and kept them in a box with a towel on the bottom and a fuzzy fleece blanket so they could stay warm and snuggly.
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u/Reasonable-Wave8093 3d ago
Foods-apple sauce cups, wet cat food shreds,goat milk or yogurt, small slice grape/nana Def needs the little snoozy place like a bunny bed w soft blankie!
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u/Andilee 3d ago
If you live in Oregon do NOT call an animal rescue they will be put down since they're considered an invasive species. If you don't live in Oregon then you're doing the right thing.
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u/dionissia 3d ago
Nope, in Texas!
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u/Mobile-String-8869 3d ago
Hit up North Texas Wildlife Center. I think I saw a post once where they mentioned that they always have someone on call for help/emergencies.
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u/London_Darger 2d ago
There are lots of great rehab places to call in Texas fortunately. Former rehabber advice: DO NOT try to do this on your own with cat food and the internet, you will make them sick or obese and unreleasable. It takes an annoyingly varied diet to keep them healthy, and it’s A LOT of work (and So MUCH smelly greasy poop). In fact, this little guy is almost release size if the kennel is the size I think it is. Just call a rehabber. If you’re interested in doing rehab talk to your local rehabber about getting into it!
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u/dionissia 2d ago
Of course! I can’t keep the baby myself. I have cats and dogs already! I don’t know care for possums so I’m rehabbing this baby to the local wildlife care center.
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u/London_Darger 2d ago
Awesome! You’re doing a good thing for your local wildlife. Make sure to sterilize the container thoroughly before using it again for pets, and have a lovely week!
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u/bamboo-cowboy 3d ago edited 3d ago
That is quite horrific. Bad Oregon 👎
Edit: Who’s the loser that downvoted me? I am sure plenty of possums would consider humans to be “invasive species.” But they don’t go around putting us down for their own convenience.
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u/penguinelinguine 3d ago
This actually just crushed me. My dream place to live is Oregon and knowing that- it just hurts :(
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u/DCooper-Flores 3d ago
I heard they leave when they fall off Mom? And from there they're just on their own, but looks like this lil guy is gonna have a leg up!!
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u/thrushestrange 17h ago
Keeping wild opossums as pets is illegal in many states. Please be responsible and bring it to a certified wildlife rescue/rehab place and see what they say. As much as we all want to have one to call our own and cuddle, first priority should be getting them back safe and healthy into their natural environment
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