Baby opossums, native to South America, are the only species. To care for a baby opossum requires special attention to their specific needs like their diet, nest, health issues and treatment, and nocturnal behavior. As they are solitary and wild in nature, you have to make sure that you can keep a baby opossum!
Baby opossums, also known as ‘Joeys’, are fascinating marsupials. They are native to Brazil and other countries in South America. It is also found in eastern Bolivia, northern Paraguay, and in Formosa Province in northern Argentina. Opossums have a very short gestation period of around 12–14 days.
Size Of Baby Opossums
Newborn opossums are very small in size, roughly ½ inch long (the size of a honeybee) and weigh only about 0.13 grams (about the weight of a small paper clip) at birth. They are hairless, blind, pink, and have no visible ears. During 1 to 2 weeks old, they remain attached to their mother’s nipples as they need warmth and feel protected lined with soft fur, where they grow fur, starting with a soft layer, and their eyes begin to form, otherwise, they remain closed.
As they reach 4 to 6 weeks old, they start developing noticeable fur, tiny claws, and a tiny prehensile tail that helps them balance and grasp objects. Their fur is gray, with light-colored bellies, and their noses and ears are pink. They open their eyes at 8 weeks and leave their mother’s pouch and start crawling here and there.
Baby Opossums are noiseless except they create a hiss sound when they are threatened or startled. Unlike other mammals, they are not social creatures and prefer to live and forage alone once they leave their mother. They spend most of their time solo exploring. They can live up to 2 years when in the wild but as a pet in captivity, they can live up to 4-6 years.
Nest Or Enclosure of Baby Opossum
Baby opossums need secure and comfortable enclosures for their growth and development. They require a medium, escape-proof, warm cage as they are newborns and cannot regulate their body temperature so they need external heat sources to stay warm. You can place the heating pad under one side of the enclosure so they can move to the other if they feel more warmth.
Also, you should make sure to line the bottom with soft and clean fabric like cotton or fleece. Opossums like to hide, so you can fold a part of the blanket to make a pouch-like structure where baby opossums can snuggle and add a small towel or cloth that they can crawl under.
The ideal temperature for a baby opossum should be around 82°F (27°C). You should replace the bedding daily to maintain cleanliness. As your baby opossum grows, they need a large space to practice their nocturnal behavior. As they reach 8 weeks of age, you can also add some climbing structures like branches, twigs, or ropes because they are natural climbers.
Baby Opossum’s enclosure should be placed in an area where natural light can come during the day but not direct sunlight. And, in the evening, dim the light to encourage their nocturnal activity.
Diet of Baby Opossums
The diet of a baby opossum changes as they grow. Baby opossums require a specific diet as they can not digest cow’s milk or most common pet foods, You can feed them a specially formulated milk replacer like Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer, designed for these small marsupials, which is easily available in pet stores. Dilute it with some parts of water. Milk is a good source of protein and fats, so it is a must to give your opossum a balanced diet.
Baby opossums should be fed every 2-3 hours, even during the night. You can use a small syringe, eye dropper, or a specialized feeding bottle. Start with small amounts, usually about 1-2 milliliters per feeding, and gradually increase the quantity as they grow. Also, give proper access to clean and fresh water, as they need to be hydrated always.
You can see your opossum’s restlessness when they are hungry. You can also give Homemade Goat Milk Formula to your baby opossums. This can be a suitable alternative if commercial formulas are not available, but it must be properly nutritionally balanced.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Goat Milk.
- 1 egg yolk. (provide protein and fats)
- 1 teaspoon of corn syrup or honey (for carbohydrates and energy)
- ¼ teaspoon of calcium supplement (for bone development)
Most supermarket stores sell goat milk. If fresh goat milk is unavailable, canned or powdered milk can be used instead. Note: Before using canned or powdered milk, mix it with water according to the packaging guidelines. HGMF+ should not be used for longer than two weeks at a time since it is not completely enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Instructions:
- Take a clean bowl, and whisk milk and egg yolk together until well-mixed.
- Stir it in the corn syrup or honey, calcium supplement. You must ensure that all the ingredients are well-mixed to create a balanced, nutritious formula.
- Warm the mixture to body temperature before feeding. For e.g, you can place the container in a bowl of warm water.
Age of Weaning
Once the baby opossum is around 7-8 weeks of age, it can start to nibble on solid foods while still receiving milk. You can introduce small or soft foods like mashed fruits, vegetables, rice cereals, and protein sources such as scrambled eggs, finely ground meats, etc., which help their digestive system adjust to solid foods.
Tips:
- Homemade formulas may lack some essential nutrients that are present in commercial milk replacers. So, if you have access to commercial opossum or puppy milk replacers, they are usually more suitable to meet all the nutritional requirements of baby opossum.
- Regularly monitor the baby opossum’s growth and health, and consult with a veterinarian to ensure that the diet is balanced.
- Be careful not to overfeed, as it can lead to digestive issues or aspiration. Baby opossums should be fed slowly and patiently.
- Always handle the baby opossums gently during feeding to avoid stress.
Foods to Avoid
- Dairy products: cow’s milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Processed Foods: candy, cookies, chips or cakes.
- Grapes and Raisins
- Citrus Fruits
- Coffee and Tea
- Raw Meats and Eggs
- Fried Foods
- Chocolate
Health Issues Related to Baby Opossums
The health of a baby opossum should be monitored carefully; they are susceptible to a range of diseases like parasites, respiratory issues, dehydration, hypothermia, and many more. To keep baby opossums secure and healthy, it is essential to know the diseases and their symptoms.
Dehydration
Dehydration mainly occurs because of a lack of proper hydration. Lethargy, dry mouth, and sunken eyes can be the symptoms of dehydration. You can use an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte to rehydrate the opossum.
Hypothermia
Baby opossums, especially those under 8 weeks old, cannot regulate their body temperature well. If they are separated from their mother or not kept warm in captivity, they can easily become hypothermic. Symptoms can be shivering, lethargy, and a low body temperature.
Malnutrition
If your baby opossum is getting an improper diet, such as feeding cow’s milk or nutritionally imbalanced homemade formulas that lack essential nutrients, particularly calcium, protein, or fat, it can lead to malnutrition in your opossum. Symptoms can be dull fur, weak bones or deformities, stunted growth, or poor weight gain. So, it is crucial to feed your baby opossum a balanced, and full of essential nutrients diet.
Parasites
Baby opossums are often exposed to parasites like fleas, mites, and intestinal worms, even at a young age. Some of the symptoms of parasites can be Scratching or fur loss. You can use a gentle flea comb or a vet-approved flea treatment to remove fleas. Avoid using strong or harsh chemicals that could harm a young opossum.
Diarrhea
Sudden dietary changes, overfeeding, stress, infections, or parasites can lead to diarrhea. If you’re feeding a baby opossum formula, ensure that it’s mixed properly (not too diluted or concentrated). If you’ve recently introduced solid foods, remove those from the diet until the diarrhea is treated properly.
Respiratory Issues
Aspiration (when food or milk is accidentally inhaled into the lungs), exposure to colds or drafts, or infections can cause respiratory issues. Coughing or sneezing, nasal discharge, or weakness or lethargy are some symptoms. You should ensure that while feeding, the baby opossum is upright and fed slowly with a syringe or dropper. Avoid forcing food into the mouth.
How to Handle Baby Opossums?
Baby opossums require careful attention to their physical and emotional needs with an understanding of their nocturnal nature. Here are some Do’s or don’ts that you should follow to handle your baby opossums:
Do’s:
- You should carry baby opossums slowly and gently to avoid startling them. Sudden movements can cause stress or injury.
- When you are picking up a baby opossum, ensure you support their entire body, including their head and tail. Use both of your hands for more safety.
- Limit handling because excess handling can disrupt their development and cause anxiety.
- Use a small syringe or bottle with a soft nipple designed for infant mammals to feed the baby opossum.
- Keep the nest of your baby opossum in a draft-free area, as they can easily get cold if exposed to sudden temperature changes.
- Regularly check for any signs of illness or discomfort, such as changes in weight, fur condition, or behavior.
Don’ts:
- Don’t use toxic plants, harsh cleaning chemicals, or dangerous materials inside the enclosure.
- Don’t grab them by their tail, legs, or head.
- Don’t expose them to cold air or drafty environments.
- Don’t handle them with dirty or scented hands.
- Don’t make sudden movements or loud noises while handling.
- Don’t handle them with rough and forceful hands.
- Don’t feed inappropriate foods, such as cow’s milk or sugary treats.
Grooming
Grooming baby opossums is essential for their health and well-being. Regular grooming helps keep their fur clean, prevents matting, and ensures their skin remains healthy. Baby opossums do not require regular bathing because this can strip their fur. You can give occasional baths with lukewarm water, and a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo may be needed if they become dirty.
You can clean them with a damp cloth or baby wipe. Also, you should ensure regular nail trimming, which is important to prevent overgrowth and potential injury, using small, sharp clippers designed for pets. As your opossum grows older, they can groom themselves, but till then, maintaining consistent grooming is your responsibility. You ensure that your baby opossum remains clean, comfortable, and free from skin issues.
Baby Opossum Poop
To monitor the poop of a baby opossum is a crucial part of their care. In the early weeks, baby opossum poop typically appears soft and light-colored, ranging from yellow to tan, reflecting their milk replacer diet.
As they start consuming solid foods around 4 to 8 weeks, their droppings gradually become more formed and darker shades of brown.
It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of health issues like diarrhea, characterized by watery and loose droppings, which may indicate infections, while constipation, marked by hard and dry poop, can cause dehydration. If you find any presence of blood in the poop or massive changes in color and consistency, you should take your opossum to a veterinarian, as these can cause serious health issues. So, you should maintain proper hydration, a balanced diet, and a clean living environment to ensure a healthy baby opossum.
A healthy opossum should urinate regularly. If baby opossum is not urinating, consult with a veterinarian.
Where to Buy?
You can buy a baby opossum from local breeders, but ensure that the opossum you are buying is healthy. You can take advice from them for their specific needs or other requirements. The cost of purchasing a baby opossum can range from $200-$500, with all the additional costs for set up and care.
Also, check local regulations before buying a baby opossum because in some areas, it’s not permitted to have these exotic creatures. First, get a legal consideration, then you can buy them.
CARE TIPS
- Keep the baby opossum in a warm environment, between 85-90°F (29-32°C).
- Ensure their living area is draft-free to prevent hypothermia.
- Provide fresh, clean water once they start eating solid foods.
- Keep their nest or enclosure clean by regularly changing the bedding.
- Keep a close eye on their hydration levels.
- Handle the baby opossum gently and support their entire body.
- Provide safe toys and objects to encourage exploration and exercise.
Some Interesting Facts Related to Baby Opossums
- Baby opossums are solitary. They prefer to live alone unlike other marsupials.
- They are nocturnal in nature, meaning they are active at night.
- They have prehensile tails for balance and grip, but they don’t hang by their tails for long periods.
- When threatened, opossums may involuntarily enter a catatonic state, commonly known as “playing dead” or thanatosis, more common in adults.
- Baby opossums are born with only a few small teeth. They develop more teeth as they grow.
- Even as young babies, opossums have an instinct to climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Do baby opossums cry?
Answer: They don’t squeak or mewl, rather, their cry is a sneezing sound.
Question 1: When to release a baby opossum?
Answer: When the opossum reaches 8 to 10 inches in length (excluding the tail), it’s usually old enough for release. The best time for release is during spring or summer, as they’ll have better access to food and shelter. Release them in a wooded area where they can find natural food sources like fruits, insects, and small animals.
Question 1: What are the risks of touching baby opossums found in the wild?
Answer: Touching baby opossums found in the wild can pose health risks, as they may carry parasites like fleas, ticks, or diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella.
Question 1: Do opossums make good pets? Are they the same as possums?
Answer: Opossums generally do not make good pets as they are wild animals with specific needs and behaviors that are difficult to manage in a home environment. They are also prone to stress in captivity. While “opossums” are native to the Americas, “possums” refer to different species found in Australia and are not the same animal, despite their similar names. Both are different in their natural habitats.
Question 1: When should I seek professional help for a baby opossum?
Answer: Seek professional help if the baby opossum shows signs of illness, such as lethargy, abnormal stool, difficulty feeding, or any physical injuries.
Question 1: What is the best way to warm a baby opossum?
Answer: Keep the baby opossum warm by using a heating pad set to low, placing it under half of their bedding so they can move away if too warm. Alternatively, use a warm, soft blanket or a heated rice bag. Avoid direct heat sources that could cause burns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to take care of their every need if you want to have a baby opossum pet. Caring for baby opossums requires patience and knowledge. From providing a warm and secure environment to offering nutrition and regular veterinary care, each aspect of their care is crucial in helping them thrive. By understanding their unique needs, such as their dietary requirements, grooming needs, and social behaviors, you can offer the best possible support for these fascinating marsupials. Always seek guidance from veterinarians to address any concerns and provide the highest level of care.
