Rescued opossums at Witter Wildlife Refuge ready for relaese. Photo by James Orr

I thought I would  update readers on the status of the opossum army we rescued last Summer. In total there were 15 babies “Joeys” that had to be fed every 4 hours with an eye dropper for almost 6 weeks.  You might recall from the earlier articles that 11 of them arrived in the midst of my wedding activities.

These little things (about the size of a thumb) were from two separate rescues in which a mother opossum had been hit by a car and the babies were rescued from the side of the road clinging to her carcass.    After weeks of sleep interrupted nights with the 4 hour feedings they finally graduated to solid food and two a day feedings.  As they got larger they were moved to an out door pen with an insulated shelter. As the weather warmed they were moved into a larger habitat area to prep for release.

Normally they would have been released when they were a foot long but that occurred in the middle of winter when food is scarce.  Opossums in general do not do particularly well in the Winter  so we decided to wait until Spring when food was more plentiful and weather less intimidating before sending them off on their own.

Possums eat plants, insects, eggs, fruit, vegetables, small rodents, carrion, crawfish, and just about anything else they can find. As the time of release nears we start hiding their food  (no more dishes).  This teaches them they need to hunt and scavenge for dinner.  It is unlikely they will get served regular Blue Plate specials once they are released so it is important they acquire a few self feeding guidelines. I probably should have put a trash can in their cage so they could learn how to open it  but decided my license from the Game and Fish Commission was more important than giving possums inside information.  It does seem that most possum to human contact is in or around trash cans or outdoor pet food supplies. 

When possums feel threatened they hold their mouth wide open displaying all 50 teeth in the hope they can scare off the threat.  With the possible exception of  a curious Dental hygienist  enamored by more teeth than any other land animal this show of dental sharpies is quite effective.  In reality it is largely a bluff.  To my knowledge I have never heard of an opossum attacking a person.  They will bite if  you reach for them but  as a defense reaction rather that offensive.  They are too slow to out run most predators so the rely on intimidation.  They also faint if overly scared as a result of an underdeveloped nervous system.

The Little Rock Zoo has asked for one possum if we have any there are deemed unrelaesable.  They plan to utilize it in their educational program.  If an animal is handicapped to the point it cannot fend for itself or too imprinted with Humans they can be classified “nonreleasble”  Of our gang there is one overly friendly male that may qualify for the life of stardom and luxury if he is cleared with the Game and Fish Commission.  For 50 obvious reasons the Zoo prefers one that will not bite when handled.

Of the 15 possums we started with two did not survive, one has already been released, one is pending a long term zoo visit,  four get released in Withrow Springs State Park where they were originally rescued and the rest will get released in wilderness areas away from humans.  We are required to release the animals as close as possible to the area they came from.  In cases were this is a hazard to the animal such as a high traffic area we can extend the release area as long as it is in the same county. 

The opossum exodus will definitely help us with the refuge food budget and give us a little rest before the Spring rush of orphans..... what,  Spring is here already?  Welcome to the life of a wildlife rehabilitator.

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