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!
Do short tailed possums make good pets?
Short Tailed Opossum Behavior and Temperament. The short-tailed opossum can become a pet that is friendly and docile. It can easily be handled by people and is curious, active, and entertaining. They should be kept as solitary pets because of their tendency to fight with other opossums.
Are opossums good pets for beginners?
After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan. 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.
Where can I buy a short tailed opossum?
When looking for a short-tailed opossum to purchase, options include breeders (hobby, small-scale or large scale), retail pet stores, exotic animal shows and auctions, or exotic animal rescues and shelters. Resources can include newspaper and online classified ads, online message boards and mailing lists.
What do short tailed opossums eat?
Short-tailed opossums are omnivores that mostly eat insects, rodents and fruit in the wild. Their diet should be high in digestible protein, low in fat, with reasonable fiber and calcium. Most STO are fed soft fruits and vegetables, a high quality dry food, and supplement with live insects and/or rodents.
See more
How long do short-tailed opossums live?
Gray short-tailed opossums are sexually mature at five to six months of age, and live for up to forty-nine months in captivity.
How do you tame a short tailed possum?
8:589:59Brazilian Short Tailed Opossum Care - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd leave them alone for at least a day or two you could sit around them and talk to them and kindMoreAnd leave them alone for at least a day or two you could sit around them and talk to them and kind of put your hand by the cage.
Is it safe to have a opossum as a pet?
Question: Can I keep an opossum as a pet? Answer: No. All wild animals belong in the wild. Give the opossum the chance to live the life nature intended…in the wild.
What do you feed a short tailed possum?
In the wild they eat insects, fruits, and vegetable matter. You can provide them a similar diet by offering mealworms, crickets, pinkie mice, fruits, vegetables, and breads. You can also offer them a high quality food, such as Exotic Nutrition's Opossum Complete diet.
Are short-tailed opossums cuddly?
When raised from a young age, short-tailed opossums can be friendly and docile. They can be handled easily by people and are curious, active, and entertaining. However, because of their tendency to fight with others of their own species, they do best as solitary pets.
Can you house train a possum?
Whether you've just adopted a short tailed or a Virginia opossum as a pet, you can train your opossum to use a litter box. Both opossum species are clean animals and both tend to choose designated areas to defecate and urinate. These qualities make litter box training easier to accomplish. Read on to learn more.
What's the lifespan of a possum?
Virginia opossum: 4 yearsCommon opossum: 2 yearsOpossum/Lifespan
What states is it legal to own a possum?
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.
Do cats and possums get along?
Opossum and cats do very well together, they are non threatening and not aggressive at all. Gentle creatures, they need food and shelter the same as all the others out there, and are well accepted.
Are short-tailed opossums social?
Social Behaviors: A Short Tailed Opossum can become a friendly docile pet that can easily be handled by people and is curious, active, and entertaining. Because they are naturally solitary animals, they should be housed individually.
Can you give a baby opossum a bath?
1:293:03raising possums part 3 flea bath - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe immerse them in the bath. And the fleas are trying to avoid the bath and they all go to the headMoreWe immerse them in the bath. And the fleas are trying to avoid the bath and they all go to the head where you can just pick them off and kill them in the soapy.
Do opossums carry diseases?
Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.
Possum vs. Opossum: Are They Different?
People often use possum and opossum interchangeably. However, this can create some confusion when researching this animal because these are two different creatures. Let’s break down the differences:
Should I Get a Possum as a Pet?
While some possums are quite cute and easy to handle, there are a few reasons why possums are not the best animals to have as pets.
Is Owning a Possum as a Pet Legal?
Laws vary from state to state in the USA, so there can be restrictions about exotic animal ownership in your area. Also, exotic animal laws can change. Animal rights groups often work to make owning any exotic or wild animal illegal within the United States.
Species of Possums That Make Good Pets
It is recommended that possums remain wild animals. However, there are a few that have made good pets. Here is our list of those that could make a great addition to your family as a household pet.
Sugar Gliders
These tiny possums look like flying squirrels due to their size and folds of skin under their arms that allow them to glide from branch to branch. Males weigh between 0.22-0.35 pounds (100-160 grams), and females weigh between 0.18-0.29 pounds (80-130 grams). Both sexes can live between 5-7 years. They are nocturnal but are very social.
Short-Tailed Possums
Short-tailed possums are natives of Brazil and have features like a rat. Their coat is grey-brown in color, but their tails are bare. Adults reach a size of 4 to 8 inches with a tail equaling the length of their body. They live for about 4-8 years.
Final Thoughts on Possums as Pets
Generally, it is not recommended that possums be kept as household pets. Since they are wild animals, there are many things that even a loving pet owner might not be able to provide. However, should you decide that you want to have a possum as a pet, take into consideration the following tips:
What do opossums eat?
Opossums are omnivores and eat just about anything out in the wild. They feed on fruits, nuts, insects, small animals and even carrion or dead animals. It may be difficult to find the right balance in their diet in captivity.
What diseases do opossums carry?
Opossums may carry pathogens that can cause human diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be carriers of various parasites like fleas, ticks, mites and lice that can impact public and/or veterinary health.
Why are opossums considered a road kill?
Despite the fact that many opossums may meet their fate as road kill due to their slow moving suburban/urban habits , opossums are a successful species and their marsupial relatives (metatherians) have been around since the dinosaur age. One reason for the survival of opossums is their versatile diet.
How far can an opossum walk?
In addition, opossums are used to walking up to half a mile in search of food, which allows them to get plenty of exercise. If they are being kept as pets, they could become overweight and potentially unhealthy. In addition, opossums are solitary animals and may not get along with other animals.
Can you make an opossum a pet?
Even if you find an abandoned and/or injured opossum that you’re considering making your pet, some states will not allow this to occur. In many cases, wildlife permits are required to have a wild animal reside in your home and these permits may only be issued for rehabilitation purposes.
Can you remove opossums from your property?
Experienced professionals can help you safely remove and/or exclude opossums from your property. Keep your home, and yourself safe, and contact Terminix® today. Pests aren't just a nuisance. They can threaten your health and property.
What are some interesting facts about opossums?
The Santa Barbara Humane Society has some wonderful fun facts about opossums on their site. Opossums are nocturnal (active at night) and have a solitary life. They are usually non-aggressive and prefer to "play possum," or fake death.
What happens if you don't feed an opossum?
If not fed the proper diet or if early signs of illness are not recognized then the opossum will suffer and possibly die. Remember, they are wild animals. They will not show you when they are sick, as a dog would. This does not mean we do not want you to raise opossums, only that you must be properly trained first!
Do opossums live in the wild?
With that in mind, The Opossum Society of the United States says no that these exotic animals belong in the wild. "Give the opossum the chance to live the life nature intended...in the wild. In most states it is illegal to be in possession of a wild animal without the proper permits.
How do opossums transmit diseases?
Wild opossums especially. They transmit diseases just like other animals: by biting and scratching and through their urine and feces.
Do opossums attack?
Sure, when they feel backed into a corner, they might attack. They might even bite or growl or hiss at anyone that comes close by. The females carry their babies on their backs, after all.
Do opossums behave aggressively?
These fascinating marsupials are thought to be pretty vicious towards humans, but in actual fact, they rarely behave aggressively towards us, though you should probably expect the odd bout of hissing.
