The majority of animals who have been acclimated as a pet, will not survive if simply allowed to suddenly be free, at least not without the proper training, and sometimes not even then. Insects found in the wild or intended for use as bait can carry parasites and pesticides that can harm your pet. Very few people, however, have even taken the time to consider a different choice of pet, like a possum. They have what one would consider as a thumb like toe on their back feet that works very much like an opposable thumb. It is not a matter of IF the opossum will become ill, it is a matter of when!. Their diet should be high in protein and low in fat. ok, to make a long story short, i have this opossum is my backyard. It is often viewed as a wild animal rather than a possible pet. Find a friend or neighbor or possibly ask a local pet store or vet for any fur or hair they might collect after grooming the animals. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking. Shop our wide selection of toys, food, cages and more for your exotic pet! Ok, this page is meant for those who perhaps found or were given a baby possum(s) to raise, but who also really don't have any idea what they are getting themselves into. It might just save you from having an unfortunate incident. I dont know the gender or anything about it. We see many cases of Metabolic Bone Disease (nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism) in opossums that have been fed poor diets. In the wild, the possum is usually docile and will not attack you without confrontation. The opossum lifespan is unusually short for a mammal of its size, usually only one to two years in the wild and as long as four or more years in captivity. And, if you've been seeing opossums on your property, it is probably a good idea for you to take some time to get to know them. How to Care for a Pet Opossum. That's probably because in many states, it is illegal to buy, sell, or keep opossums. The opossum is also a very good climber; please keep this in mind when considering an opossum as a pet. Opossums, often called possums, are very old, very vulnerable mammals notorious for "playing possum." MBD can progress to cause immobility and death, if not corrected quickly and appropriately! Browse our products made for opossums. it's freezing outside, and its shivering cold. How To Get Rid of Opossums Opossums, more commonly called possums, are versatile animals that can cause a variety of nuisance concerns. But most people really don't know all that much about these critters. Their babies are born only 11-13 days after they mate. So basically you have had your fun with them, no longer can handle it and now the animal gets to fend for themselves. While the opossum is not generally an aggressive animal, this aspect should not be ignored. There is no disputing how cute baby possums are, at least among most folks. Senescence is rapid. They are small, generally friendly creatures with good pet potential, pretty easy needs, and they are certainly cute enough! Short-tailed Opossums are insectivores. When acquiring insects to offer to your pet, remember to only use those purchased at a pet store. They rarely reach 15 pounds in size. They're wild animals who don't fare well often in captivity. Sprinkle it around the areas frequented by the opossums and also around areas you want to keep them out of such as a garden. With these disease threats, some of which comes from the waste matter of the animal and not even the animal itself, why would you even want an opossum as a pet? Opossums, generally referred to as ‘Didelphimorpias’ are small marsupials that are found in Central and Southern America.Opossums have lived in the Americas for around 55 million years probably evolving from the basic South American marsupials of the late Cretaceous period. Any variety of opossum should always have fresh water available. They are marsupials, the only such example of these animals found in the U.S. Their diet is highly variable. So you want a possum for a pet? A possum is a nocturnal marsupial and is known for it's long nose, jagged teeth and ability to hang from it's tail. In urban settings, orchard fruit, pet foods left outside and garbage make up a large portion of their diets. Opossum Products. The MJ diet is not the only harmful diet being promoted by various groups and individuals AND websites. In the wild the diet of the opossum is very diverse, eating a mix of smaller mammals, insects and worms, along with fruits, seeds and almost any other edible food sources, so it is important to give them a diverse diet when they are kept as pets too. If you have opossums in your attic, the total cost will probably run … I … It seens very friendly and quiet. I couldn't find any reputable breeders anywhere. … Instead of purposefully keeping your pet outside to ward off opossums, take its hair after each time you brush them and scatter it around the areas where they’ve caused damage around your property. However, the benefits to having possums as pets are countless. The species are moderately sexually dimorphic with males usually being slightly larger, much heavier, and having larger canines than females. Short-tailed opossums are growing in popularity as an exotic pet.