They have five toes on each foot and walk on all four. Are opossums considered to be an exotic pet? How long do opossums live in captivity? Even after the joeys can leave the pouch, the devoted mother will still tote them about on her back while she hunts and scavenges for food. This relatively short lifespan is due to a number of factors, including predation by other animals, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and competition for food and resources. Domestication takes many many generations of selected breeding by humans and there is a genetic difference between domestic and wild populations. You will need to put chicken wire underneath the fence to keep them from digging under if they are going to run free. Since that time, its range has extended farther north as the climate allows. Possums are opportunistic eaters and will consume a wide range of plants and animals, but they must compete with other animals for these resources. 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. The appendages of the opossum will grow, such as their tails, legs, and ears. This is the shortest gestation period of any North American mammal. Opossums have a bad reputation for being garbage intruders and scary-looking critters who crawl up onto our homes at night. But cats and adult opossums have been seen to show mutual respect for oneanother. Opossums would likely fall into this category because they are not common household pets. Answer (1 of 9): Let me begin by clarifying There is no such thing as a domesticated opossum. The gray area shows the range of the Virginia opossum in 2010. They have the ability to scavenge for rotten fruit, garbage, pet food, and roadkill. Live Weird, Die Young: The Virginia Opossum | The Outside Story These teen years are the short time between being a newborn opossum and becoming an adult. He spends most of his day sleeping in the trees, rock crevices, abandoned burrows, etc., and goes out at night to find food. Tiger It drops to the ground, tongue protruding, body completely unresponsive. Lets explore each stage in more detail. The honeybee-sized joeys promptly crawl into the mother's pouch to continue developing. Though these creatures may seem strange to some of us even now, imagine how explorers from Europe felt when they first encountered the opossum. Oh, Possum. Its legal to own a pet opossum as long as you have the appropriate regional permits to do so. Further, they are experts in climbing and spend a lot of time in the trees and dig the tree bark with the help of their sharp claws. This helps them survive in many different environments and climates. Opossums tend to live in the eastern half of the U.S., plus the west coast and desert southwest. The Virginia opossum has a cat-sized body; grey or whitish fur with a white face; long pointy snout; round dark eyes and hairless ears; four paws; long, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of its total body length. When they are 75 to 85 days old, they are weaned and rarely return to the pouch. Opossums need a lot of exercise and a regular diet. After birth, the helpless babies must crawl into their mother's pouch in order to nurse and continue development. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The opossum is the only marsupial, or pouched mammal, found in the U.S. Opossums don't live long. In a study done by Stanford University Medical Center, it was discovered that carnivores prey heavily on mainland opossums. It is very strong and can support the weight of an opossum, as it is used as an extra limb when climbing trees. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year of life. Many newborns dont make the journey into the pouch; fewer than half typically survive. It could take some time for an opossum to become trustworthy and dependent on a human source for food and resources. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. These soft nesting materials make the den a dry place to live. Snakes How Long Do Possums Live - Possum Lifespan - Zooologist The Virginia opossums long muzzle allows its keen sense of smell to detect all sorts of omnivorous delicacies including a wide range of plants, fruits, insects, and other small animals. There have always been challenges with this concept, but some other animals have responded well to being a pet. Their eyes may still be slightly open, their ears may twitch at sudden sounds, and they may notice shallow breathing and a heartbeat. 6 What do possums eat and are they dangerous? Its more like fainting from fright than pulling a prank on a potential predator. As they grow and the pouch becomes full, the juveniles then ride on the mother's back until they are old enough to go out on their own. Unfortunately, as it may take several hours for an opossum to regain consciousness, attempting to wait it out may not be the most efficient technique. Create your account. Fruits and vegetables are common choices for smaller animals like an opossum. However, opossums face their most significant hazards in winter when wild turkeys, dogs, and even bears can take advantage of opossum vulnerability due to a decreased food supply and reduced mobility due to frigid temperatures. What is the lifespan of a possum in captivity? Opossums are prey to many predators, including dogs, coyotes, birds of prey, and giant snakes. A nearby water source is an important feature when it comes to habitat. Opossums have a hard time in the winter. R stands for reproduction, and species such as opossums put only a small investment of resources into each offspring, producing lots of babies that dont need much time and effort. One of its main characteristics is docility towards humans.Some people choose it as a pet.Despite this, the care that an opossum needs surpasses the good intentions of thosewho buy or catch it. Opossums in captivity often live longer than wild opossums. There are no known illnesses that pass from opossums to humans. They use it in particular to climb trees. You can tell how old a juvenile opossum is by observing its eyes. While the opossumsmay be infested with ticks and fleas, and therefore be vectors for such infestations in your home or on your pets, they can also be key in keeping many diseases at bay. They can be hit by cars, and are even hunted for food. Where Is It Legal To Own Opossums as Pets? Jaguar In the wild, opossums are mostly solitary animals, but in captivity, they do well in pairs or small groups.Opossums are omnivores, which means they eat . They usually eat smaller rodents, harmful insects, and grubs, meaning having an opossum around can help keep the populations of other pests down. ), snails, mice, and rats. An opossum playing dead can be very convincing and effective in evading predators. An opossum that is this old is no longer dependent on its mother. Opossums are roughly the size of a grain of rice when they are born. This competition can be intense, and possums that are unable to find enough food and water may die as a result. There are over 100 different opossum species, ranging in size from the pocket-sized pygmy opossum to the domestic cat-sized Virginia opossum. Opossums can die under houses for many reasons. By having your opossum inside most of the time, it would be very challenging for your opossum to receive an appropriate amount of exercise. The male opossum detects a female in heat while foraging at night. Worse yet, sometimes the opossum will become lame as it grows, which is likely due to a diet-induced disorder called metabolic bone disease, or rickets. Opossums are classified as marsupials, which are mammals that carry and nurse their young in pouches. Their average lifespan ranges from 1 to maximum 3 years in the wild, and 2 to 4 years in captivity. This means that even if they eat the remains of an animal with rabies, they don't get sick themselves and don't pass the illness along. Source.Opossum as a pet example. In the wild, possums typically live for two to four years, while those in captivity can live for up to six or seven years or longer. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking. The hind foot has a large thumb-like toe that they use to grab branches. It is estimated that a single opossum can eat 5,000 ticks in a year, thus protecting other wildlife (and humans) from tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Many people assume that it is a typical rodent, based on its appearance and long tail, but it is actually a fascinating animal. Female and male opossums are at the will of their elements and the predators around them. Possums Opossum - Wikipedia The oldest opossum in captivity was four years and five months old. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Their fresh droppings are brown in color. Opossum: Lifespan and Life Cycle. Life Expectancy. An opossum certainly can thrive as a pet. As a pet, they may be able to live longer because they are not facing predators in the wilderness and trying to survive from them. [36] The oldest opossum ever seen in the wild was three years old. Even in their later stages of life, opossums continue to live within their shelter (nest or den) to sleep during the daytime hours and come out at night to find food supplies. It is recommended to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are just playing dead. They hunt and move during the night because their eyes are best adapted to the darkness. In the UK, you actually have to apply for a license to own certain wild animals. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Opossums are excellent climbers, thanks to a prehensile tail and thumbs (called hallux) on its feet that help it keep a grip. On the other hand, females have an easier time hiding because of their small size, which allows them to squeeze into tight places. This lifespan was observed in a possum living in captivity, such as in a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation center. How Long Do Possums Live [Facts and Information] - Pest Control Weekly As scavengers, opossums play a very important role in the food system. . However, in the wild, opossums have a substantially lower life expectancy and seldom live past their first year. Often misunderstood and persecuted by many, opossums actually help keep the environment healthy and tidy by eating dead stuff and lots of disease-carrying ticks. Check to see if the opossums eyes have opened. It is the only North American native marsupial. Muskrats, about the same size as an opossum, live 3 - 4 years, can have 1 - 4 liters per year averaging 6 - 7 young per liter. However, since the lifespan of each opossum varies, it is difficult to determine whether male or female opossums live longer. Opossums are omnivores, meaning that they will eat anything. There are other adaptations to the opossum. In the wild, Opossums are omnivores, eating all . They carry their offspring in a pouch, like a kangaroo.Are Opossums Dangerous?This is a frequently asked question, Are opossums dangerous? The answer is that they are not aggressive, but if they feel threatened, they can be dangerous. Diet and proper nutrition is the most critical factor in keeping your pet Opossum healthy and increasing his life span. This wild animal has powerful claws and prehensile tails that makes it a strong climber and helps it grasp branches. It is common to see death caused by starvation and exposure to the elements, particularly in winter. Like many other nocturnal wildlife, their hearing is acute. They are omnivores who easily adapt to different foods that are available in different climates and habitats. This particular fauna intrigued European explorers. A well-ventilated aquarium (at least 20 gallons) with a tight-fitting lid or a narrow-mesh wire cage should work well. Sniffing Out Supper. They use tree openings to build nests or use woodpiles and burrows from other animals. Babies are born just 13 days after mating, and they are tiny and extremely underdeveloped. So, whats the deal with their short lifespans? Is it possible for an opossum to live a happy and healthy life as a pet? In addition, opossums are expert climbers, and spend much time up in the trees. How Long Do Opossums Live In Captivity - 666how.com What if this growling scavenger carries diseases? - Mass, Density & Weight, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. It measures between 65 and 85 centimeters long in total, including the tail which, alone, can be 40 cm. She has a Master's Degree in Education from Western Governor's University and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Southern Methodist University. Overall, the lifespan of a possum can vary depending on a number of factors, including their environment and access to food and medical care. But theyre not rodents even though they look similar in many ways. Basic Information Sheet: Virginia Opossum - LafeberVet Its keeping your neighborhood clean! Homeowners dont consider them very disturbing or scary due to their looks, but they might be a possible threat due to their nature of damaging the structural integrity of homes.