Can you keep an opossum as a pet?

Short-tailed opossums have grown in popularity as an exotic pet. They are very good pets for beginners because of their cleanliness, omnivorous diet, and general good health. These opossums are small, generally friendly creatures with easy care requirements, and they certainly are cute!

1. Can you train a possum to be a pet?
2. Can I keep a baby opossum as a pet?
3. Is it ethical to keep a possum as a pet?
4. Will possums use a litter box?
5. How long do possums live as pets?
6. Will a mother possum come back for her baby?
7. Do possums eat cats?
8. Do possums like to snuggle?
9. Can you walk a possum on a leash?
10. Where do Possums sleep?
11. Are possums aggressive to humans?
12. Can I touch a possum?
13. How big is a 5 month old opossum?
14. Do baby possums cry?
15. How do you rescue a possum?

Can you train a possum to be a pet?

Opossums can not only be housebroken, but they can be taught to come when they are called and to even sit on your shoulder as you walk around. With a little patience and a calm demeanor, you should be able to tame a pet opossum.

Can I keep a baby opossum as a pet?

While they can be tamed, they cannot be domesticated like a cat or a dog. They truly make horrendous pets. don't try to care for an orphaned or injured opossum yourself. Rehabbers work as apprentices for a long time before they can get licensed on their own.

Is it ethical to keep a possum as a pet?

In general, it is not recommended to keep possums as pets. Even though some people to it, more often than not, it turns out bad for the animal. At first, the animal can adapt to living with people. It may even cuddle and form a relationship with you.

Will possums use a litter box?

Most opossums will naturally take to using a litter box if you introduce it to them as babies. Be patient as you litter train, placing your opossum in the box until she uses it and praising her when she does. After she is trained, she will need a litter box near her bed and in each room she spends time in.

How long do possums live as pets?

Captive opossums normally live between 3-4 years, however up to 8-10 years has been described.

Will a mother possum come back for her baby?

Opossums normally stay with their mother for about a year. Mothers do not retrieve their babies. If the opossum is less than 10 inches long (not including tail), it must go to a rehabilitator. However, any opossum that is 10 inches long, healthy and uninjured can be left alone.

Do possums eat cats?

No, possums do not eat cats. They may occasionally attack a cat if they feel their young are threatened, if they are cornered (though they are more likely to play dead in these situations) or if they are competing for food.

Do possums like to snuggle?

Even now that she's older, her favorite things to do are cuddle, eat and sleep - opossums sleep over 18 hours a day, according to Rice.

Can you walk a possum on a leash?

Like dogs, these opossums are house-trained, can walk on a leash, and sleep in the bed with their humans. ... "Joey is a little angel, truly," says Aradia, who rescued the blind opossum from a busy intersection last December.

Where do Possums sleep?

>> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow.

Are possums aggressive to humans?

Opossums are not generally aggressive or vicious but have been known to attack humans. Opossums will fight back if they have to defend themselves and will attack to protect their young.

Can I touch a possum?

Opossums are not harmful animals, yet they might get defensive if they feel threatened. Even so, it is not safe to handle an opossum with bare hands. If you need to catch an opossum without using a special trap for it, you are highly recommended to wear thick gloves and keep it away from you.

How big is a 5 month old opossum?

If one of the young becomes separated from its mother it will make sneezing sounds to call her. She, in turn, will make clicking sounds. The young are weaned at approximately 3 months of age and are on their own at 4 1/2 – 5 months when they are approximately 7-9 inches long from nose to rump, excluding the tail.

Do baby possums cry?

Infant opossums do not squeak or mewl, their only cry is a sneezing sound (CHH! ... If the pinky animal that you have found was laying in the yard, or has a high pitched cry, or opens its mouth wide, it is probably not an opossum, but these first aid instructions will aid any small pinky mammal until you can get help.

How do you rescue a possum?

Seek immediate assistance. Contact your local Opossum Society of the United States member, state department of wildlife, veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator or animal control. Make sure animal control will not euthanize all opossums.