Are opossums protected by law in California?
Opossums are outlaws, at least according to California statutes. An Anaheim case that required a $400,000 payout to end a wrongful arrest lawsuit hinged on the fact that opossums have no special protection as wildlife in California.
Is it legal to kill an opossum without a license?
Under state law, opossums slip into the category of animals that can dispatched without a license and at any time. In fact, you are apparently allowed to kill any non-game, fur-bearing animal that is injuring property "at any time and in any manner" in California.
Are there Virginia opossums in California?
There is documented evidence the Virginia opossum was first introduced in San Jose, California in 1910, by a New England immigrant. Despite being a rather simple-minded animal, opossums are a very successful species. They have adapted well to our Southern California environment.
Are there opossums in San Jose?
The opossum is not native to California but was introduced in San Jose in 1910 from the east coast of the United States and has now become well established throughout much of the state.
Can you legally own a possum in California?
Laws and Regulations Opossums are not native to California. It's a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets.
Why are opossums illegal in California?
LEGAL STATUS The California Fish and Game Code classifies opossums as nongame mammals.
Can you legally keep a opossums as pets?
You may be able to own a pet opossum in Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota with a permit. In Missouri, you can keep an opossum as a pet, but the Virginia Opossum is considered a large carnivore, so large carnivore permitting is needed.
What are illegal pets in California?
According to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, pet ownership of the following animals is also illegal without a special permit: Raccoons, skunks, alligators, lemurs, zebras, certain venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids (wolf-dogs), big cats such as bobcats, servals, and cheetahs.
Can I shoot a possum in my backyard?
California law prohibits the intentional and malicious killing of animals, but "any animal known as dangerous to life, limb, or property" is fair game.
Can I own a fox in California?
Intelligent like a dog, foxes have been bred to live as house pets — but there are not fully domesticated. Pet foxes are legal in up to 15 states, but not in California. Rules vary departing on the breed, the most common being the fennec fox.
Can I buy opossums?
To keep a captive opossum legally, you need a wildlife rehabilitation permit from your state. Depending on where you live, you might need to volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator, take a training class or pass a written exam to get the permit. Once they're healthy, rehabilitated possums always should be released.
How long do pet possums live?
between 3-4 yearsCaptive opossums normally live between 3-4 years, however up to 8-10 years has been described.
Why are ferrets illegal in California?
The old California law was put into place to protect local ecosystems. The primary reason pet ferrets are banned in California is “because they pose a threat to our native fish and wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety.” Other exotic animals are forbidden as pets for the same reason.
What wild animals can I own in California?
Did you know these pets are legal to own in California?Pot Belly Pigs.Pygmy Goats.Miniature horses.Tarantulas.Ball Python (these type are non-venomous)Chinchillas.Lynx.Lizards (non-venomous)More items...•
Are Chipmunks legal in California?
Some of the animals on California's banned-as-pets list are familiar: alligators, raccoons, skunks, hedgehogs, chipmunks and squirrels.
How can I own a raccoon in California?
Owning a pet raccoon is legal in some states but illegal in many other states. If you're a Californian looking to adopt a pet raccoon, you won't be able to unless you file a prohibited animal permit with the California Department of Fish and Game.
When do opossums mat in California?
There are typically two mating seasons for opossums in California: January through February, and June through July. The resultant two litters yield an average of about 7 young each.
What diseases do opossums carry?
Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.
How to make a wire fence opossum proof?
As an alternative, any standard wire fence can be made opossum proof by stretching a parallel electrically-charged wire near the top of the fence, 3 inches out from the mesh. A cattle-type electric fence charger activates the wire. A similar approach can be used to prevent opossums from climbing trees.
How big of a trap do opossums need?
Opossums are not wary of traps and can easily be caught with a box- or cage-type live-catch trap. Traps should be at least 10 x 12 x 32 inches in size and set along trails or known routes of travel. Fish-flavored canned cat food works well as trap bait but often attracts cats as well.
What do nocturnal opossums eat?
In its foraging, the nocturnal opossum is a true omnivore, feeding on fruits, nuts, green plants, insects, snails, snakes, frogs, birds and their eggs, and small mammals such as meadow voles, mice, and rats.
Why do opossums climb trees?
They readily enter burrows and climb trees in an attempt to elude danger. When threatened, an opossum may bare its teeth, growl, hiss, and exude a repulsive, smelly, greenish musk like fluid from its anal glands, which offers some degree of protection from predators.
How big are opossums?
Opossums are about 2 to 3 feet long , including the tail, and weigh up to 15 pounds, although most fall within the 4 to 7 pound range. Males are usually larger than females. Their feet resemble small hands with five widely spread fingers. All of the toes have a claw except for the opposable thumb on the rear foot.
How many opossums are there in California?
California Wildlife Center admits an average of 250 opossums yearly. Of this number, 40-50 are adults, while the remainder are orphans. Most adult opossums who are admitted have experienced bodily injury due to trapping, predation, gun shots, or encounters with vehicles on roadways.
What is the role of opossums in the ecosystem?
Opossums act as nature’s double-duty pest control and sanitation.
Do opossums eat rodents?
As they have an unusually high need for calci um, they often eat the skeletons of rodents and road kill for a boost. Opossums are incorrectly perceived as unclean and disease-ridden animals. In fact, they bathe and groom themselves nearly as often as house cats.
Is an opossum a rodent?
Despite having some similar physical traits, opossums are not related to rodents and are actually the only marsupial found in North America. Despite their tendency to appear vicious when showing their fifty teeth, opossums are rarely looking for trouble.
What snakes are legal in California?
6. Large Constrictor Snakes. Some of the largest snakes in the world that possess the capacity to kill an adult human (although actual occurrences of this are rare) appear to be legal in California as they are not named on the prohibited reptile list, unlike venomous snakes and crocodilians.
What are the illegal birds in California?
Most birds are also legal in California. The only illegal parrot is the invasive monk parakeet (or Quaker parrot). Corvids such as crows and magpies are illegal, as well as birds of prey (falcons, hawks, eagles) and vultures. Mynah birds, known for their incredible ability to mimic human speech, are illegal except for the species hill mynah and Rothchild’s mynah. Other interesting species such as toucans, exotic pigeons, and hornbills are legal so those interested in aviculture can do so and enjoy the spoils of Napa Valley or giant red wood forests.
What animals are not banned in Kabsik Park?
Kabsik Park (CC BY 2.0) 4. American Bison. Another example of alternative livestock not banned on ordinance §671 is the American bison. These are large and powerful animals that aren't so tame but are often seen as farm animals utilized for meat and fur production.
Is a monitor lizard a good pet?
Monitor lizards range from the small and personable acanthurus monitors which make excellent pets, to the large and intimidating Asian water monitors that are best suited for experienced owners. Crocodile monitors are another species notorious for their bad bites that can cause serious reactions from bacterial agents and/or venom in saliva. One owner describes a reaction from a bite:
Do zebras spook?
Zebras are not as shocking to own as you might think and are sometimes maintained like typical livestock. They do spook more easily than horses and donkeys and require an experienced trainer should anyone want to ride them. The idea of riding zebras has been popularized by the children's movie Racing Stripes.
Can you have a big camel?
You can have a big camel, you can have a zebra, you can have a ostrich, you can have a boa constrictor but you can't have a small monkey or a small ferret. Does not make any sense to me. There are alot of baby monkeys that are abandoned by their mothers. I just don't understand the laws here in California.
Is it legal to keep scorpions in California?
David Boté Estrada (CC BY-SA 2.0) 10. Tarantulas. Venomous arthropods like scorpions and tarantulas are also legal to keep in CA, as they probably are in all states except Hawaii. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge.
When were opossums first introduced?
There is documented evidence the Virginia opossum was first introduced in San Jose, California in 1910, by a New England immigrant. Despite being a rather simple-minded animal, opossums are a very successful species. They have adapted well to our Southern California environment. One Of A Kind.
How many teeth does an opossum have?
Opossums also have 50 teeth, more than any other North American mammal. Marsupials raise their young in the marsupium (pouch) and the opossum’s pouch is much better developed than most other marsupials. Opossum young are born in an embryonic state; hairless, blind and only partially formed (no back legs).
What do opossums eat?
Opossums are nocturnal and eat insects, snails, fallen fruit, carrion, eggs, improperly stored garbage, pet food and leftovers in the compost pile. Opossums are not very quick animals, nor are they really great hunters of smaller mammals or birds.
What are the characteristics of an opossum?
Opossums have several unique features, some not shared by any other North American mammal. Opossums are marsupials, a relative of kangaroos, koalas and Tasmanian devils. They posses opposable thumbs and a prehensile tail, both used for gripping and climbing. It is a common myth that they can hang by their tails.
Where do opossums seek shelter?
The opossum will seek shelter in locations such as abandoned nests of other animals, burrows, tree hollows, rock cavities, wood piles, brush piles, trash heaps, sheds, crawl spaces, under decks, inside of unused automobiles and even storage boxes in the attic. Appearances Can Be Deceiving.
Can you feed wild animals in Los Angeles?
Make sure shed and storage area doors are tightly secured. Do not feed wild animals. It is illegal to feed predatory wildlife in the City of Los Angeles.
Is it illegal to feed animals in Los Angeles?
In the City of Los Angeles, it is unlawful to feed wildlife. (53.06.5 L.A.M.C.) Feeding can increase the danger of the spread of disease and draws in larger predators. Wild animals fed by humans may quickly lose their natural fear and possibly attack without provocation.
Is animal trapping illegal in California?
Every state is different from each other and has different laws and regulations and that also applies to animal trapping laws. One astonishing fact about California is that relocating wildlife is illegal.
Can you relocate a trapped animal in California?
Because of the number one rule, no relocation of the trapped animals is allowed. Recommended by the California Department of Fish and Game, Rodent Guys euthanized their wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, and squirrels, by shooting on site.
Identification and Biology
- An opossum is about the size of a house cat, has coarse grayish fur, a pointed face, and hairless, rounded ears. With its long hairless prehensile tail, the opossum can carry things such as nesting materials and even hang upside down from a tree branch. Opossums are about 2 to 3 feet long, including the tail, and weigh up to 15 pounds, although most fall within the 4 to 7 pound range. …
Damage
- Opossums are considered a nuisance in gardens and near homes where they feed on berries, grapes, tree fruits and nuts, and defecate on garden paths and patios. They get into fights with dogs and cats and can inflict serious injury with their mouthful of sharp pointed teeth. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxo…
Legal Status
- The California Fish and Game Code classifies opossums as nongame mammals. If you find opossums threatening growing crops or other property of which you are the owner or tenant, you may control the opossum using any legal means. California Department of Fish and Wildliferegulations prohibit the relocation of wildlife without written permission from ...
Management
- Control methods for opossums are the same or similar to those for skunks and raccoons. Opossums do not usually become as numerous as raccoons and are not as objectionable as skunks. Opossums are highly adaptable and are great survivors. Once they have invaded a neighborhood they are probably there to stay so long as food, water, and shelter are available. B…
References
- Baldwin, R. A. 2014. Pest Notes:Raccoons. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 74116. Gardner, A. L. and M. E. Sunquist. 2003. Opossum. In G. A. Feldhamer, B. C. Thompson, and J. A. Chapman, editors. Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation.2nd ed., revised. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. pp 3–29. New York State Depart…
Publication Information
- Pest Notes: Opossum UC ANR Publication 74123 Author:Roger A. Baldwin, Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, UC Davis. Revised based on a previous version authored by T.P. Salmon, D.A. Whisson and R.E. Marsh. Produced by University of California Statewide IPM Program PDF: To display a PDF document, you may need to use a PDF reader. Top of page