Words For Wildlife by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr
OPOSSUM ETIQUETTE
Over the years I have worked with a number of opossums. Until I met a few first hand I never really thought or cared much for them, after all they look like big rats. To the contrary they are about as far from rats as you can get.
Opossum are the oldest surviving mammal, virtually unchanged for over 75 million years. They are the only mammals in North America other than humans that have opposing thumbs although theirs are located on their rear legs. Contrary to common opinion they are very intelligent, smarter than dogs, more the intellect of pigs. They are known for playing dead as a defense but in reality this is an involuntary action. They actually faint if they get scared or startled. This passing out occurs as a result of an underdeveloped nervous system.
Because their body temperature is considerably lower than most other warm blooded animals they do not generally get rabies. They are also largely immune to poisonous snake bites and have more than 50 teeth more than than any other land mammal.
Opossums are marsupials meaning they give birth to their young in a pouch like a kangaroo. As if that was not enough they only mate once to give birth to two litters about six month apart. Since this is a family publication I’ll spare you the details, but trust me it happens.
My first encounter with opossums was about two years ago when I picked up 4 babies "Joeys" that were clinging to the carcass of their mother who had been hit by a car. Possums ride outside the pouch on their mothers back after they grow hair but before their eyes open. Of the four I was able to raise two to adulthood, “Bradley” and his sister “Baby”
As baby possums need formula every four hours. Once they are weaned Opossums eat almost anything; eggs, bugs, fish, veggies, fruit, meat, grass, etc. When young it is important that not more than 10% of their diet is protein or they can get a bone deformation. Purina Cat Chow is well suited for opossums but they still need plenty of fruit and greens. They love grapes, chew them forever and then spit out the skin. Its really funny to have so many teeth and eat virtually anything, yet refuse to eat a grape skin.
I asked my neighbor George to assume possum feeding chores when I went on vacation. Since they were paper trained (the possums not George) I let them run loose in the house. One day Baby was missing. George looked everywhere and was convinced he had lost her. As a last resort he opened the dresser and she popped her head out of the drawer like a Jack in the Box hissing at him and showing all 50 teeth. After his heart resumed beating he closed the drawer and left her some food. She lived in that drawer for many weeks. Possums often hiss and show their teeth when scared, it is quite intimidating.
I was having trouble getting my opossums to eat enough vegetables. Like children they seem to prefer the least healthy foods so it is sometimes difficult to keep their diet balanced. I decided to give them a piece of pumpkin pie, after all it is mostly vegetable and the butter, flour and little bit of sugar would help balance all the meat they preferred to eat. I put a piece of pie in their feeding area with all the other food and got Baby out of her drawer for a test feed. She slowly walked past the fish, cat food, fruit and yogurt and stopped at the pie excitedly gobbling it up. She ate exactly half of it, stopped and went to wake up her brother who was sleeping in a box nearby. “We got pie” she seemed to say and he scurried over to the food line and finished the other half of the pie she had left. I was really impressed with her courteous behavior sharing the pie. The next day I decided to reverse the experiment letting Bradley eat first. I wanted to see if he would save Baby half of the special treat. He ate the whole thing. What can I say, men are pigs.
Although I do not encourage keeping any wild animal as a pet, the opossum probably makes the best wild pet as they are smart, quiet and clean. Males even get agitated if they have unclean living quarters. They can be house trained and are are not as destructive as squirrels or raccoons. Opossums do not bark, chatter chirp or squeal although the males will “click” like a sonar when trying to attract a female. Males will rub their scent on things. Of course they can and will bite if they get defensive and 50 razor sharp teeth can leave a serious mark. Remember that Arkansas law makes anyone taking a wild animal as a pet legally responsibly for that animal for the rest of its life. It cannot be released, sold, or given away. Even a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is not allowed to take it once it becomes a pet.
Next time you see an opossum give it a little extra respect, there is a lot more than meets the eye.
DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount it is greatly appreciated. Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.
See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife
