Can You Have a Pet Opossum? What You Need to Know First

Can you have a pet opossum? The answer is complicated and depends heavily on where you live. While some states and localities might permit keeping opossums under specific conditions, many others prohibit it due to concerns about wildlife conservation, public health, and animal welfare. This article will delve into the legalities, care requirements, and ethical considerations of keeping opossums as pets.

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Legality of Keeping Opossums

The first, and most important, step is to research opossum legality in your specific area. Laws regarding opossum as pets vary greatly.

• State Laws: Some states have blanket bans on owning native wildlife, which includes opossums. Other states might require permits or licenses to keep them.
• Local Ordinances: Even if your state allows it, your city or county may have ordinances that prohibit keeping opossums.
• USDA Regulations: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the possession of certain animals, but these regulations often don’t apply to native wildlife like opossums kept as pets, especially if they aren’t being bred or exhibited commercially.

It is crucial to contact your local animal control, wildlife agency, and department of natural resources to get accurate and up-to-date information about the laws in your area. Penalties for illegally keeping an opossum can range from fines to confiscation of the animal.

Ethical Issues of Keeping Opossums as Pets

Beyond the legal aspects, there are ethical considerations to weigh. Opossums are wild animals, and keeping them as pets can raise concerns about their welfare.

• Natural Behaviors: Can you provide an environment that allows the opossum to engage in its natural behaviors, such as foraging, climbing, and exploring?
• Social Needs: Opossums are generally solitary creatures, but taking them away from their natural habitat disrupts their social structure and instinctive behaviors.
• Release Back into the Wild: Releasing a captive-raised opossum back into the wild is rarely a good idea. They often lack the necessary skills to survive and may introduce diseases to the wild population.
• Wildlife Conservation: Removing opossums from the wild, even if orphaned, can negatively impact local populations.

Comprehending Opossum Needs

If keeping an opossum is legal in your area and you’ve carefully considered the ethical implications, you need to understand their specific needs.

Opossum Habitat

Creating a suitable opossum habitat in captivity is challenging.

• Space: Opossums need a large enclosure that provides ample space for climbing and exploration. A tall, secure outdoor enclosure is ideal.
• Climbing Structures: Provide branches, logs, ropes, and platforms for climbing.
• Den: They need a safe, enclosed den for sleeping and hiding. A wooden box or a large pet carrier lined with soft bedding works well.
• Substrate: The bottom of the enclosure should be covered with a natural substrate, such as wood chips or shredded paper.

Opossum Diet

A proper opossum diet is essential for their health and well-being. Opossums are omnivores and eat a variety of foods in the wild.

• Commercial Food: High-quality cat or dog food can be used as a base for their diet.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as berries, apples, bananas, grapes, and leafy greens.
• Protein: Supplement their diet with protein sources, such as cooked chicken, eggs, insects (mealworms, crickets), and small amounts of lean meat.
• Calcium: Opossums need a lot of calcium. Add calcium supplements to their food if your vet advises it.
• Avoid: Never feed opossums chocolate, avocado, onions, garlic, or other foods that are toxic to animals.
• Water: Always provide fresh, clean water in a shallow dish or water bottle.

Here is a sample diet breakdown:

Food Group	Example Foods	Percentage of Diet
Commercial Food	High-quality cat or dog food	30%
Fruits	Berries, Apples, Bananas, Grapes	25%
Vegetables	Leafy Greens, Sweet Potatoes, Squash	25%
Protein	Cooked Chicken, Eggs, Mealworms, Lean Meat	15%
Calcium Supplement	As directed by a veterinarian	5%

Interpreting Opossum Behavior

Opossum behavior can be difficult to interpret, especially if you are not familiar with their natural habits.

• Nocturnal: Opossums are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night.
• Solitary: They are generally solitary creatures and prefer to live alone.
• Playing Dead: When threatened, opossums may “play dead” (thanatosis) to deter predators.
• Grooming: Opossums are meticulous groomers and spend a significant amount of time cleaning themselves.
• Vocalization: They communicate using a variety of vocalizations, including hisses, growls, and clicks.
• Aggression: While generally not aggressive, they may bite or scratch if they feel threatened.

Monitoring Opossum Diseases

Opossums can carry a variety of opossum diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

• Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can cause kidney and liver damage.
• Salmonellosis: A bacterial infection that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
• Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic infection that can cause birth defects and other health problems.
• Rabies: While opossums have a relatively low body temperature, which makes them less susceptible to rabies, it is still a possibility.
• Fleas and Ticks: Opossums can carry fleas and ticks, which can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

It is vital to take precautions to prevent the spread of diseases.

• Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling an opossum or cleaning its enclosure.
• Veterinary Care: Take your opossum to a qualified veterinarian for regular checkups and vaccinations.
• Parasite Control: Use appropriate parasite control products to prevent fleas and ticks.
• Zoonotic Diseases: Be aware of the potential for zoonotic diseases and take steps to protect yourself and your family.

The Reality of Opossum Care

Opossum care guide: provides a glimpse into the commitment needed to care for an opossum properly. It’s not just about feeding and housing; it’s about providing enrichment, veterinary care, and meeting their unique needs.

• Veterinary Care: Finding a veterinarian who is experienced in treating opossums can be challenging. Routine checkups, vaccinations, and emergency care can be expensive.
• Enrichment: Opossums need a lot of mental stimulation to prevent boredom and behavioral problems. Provide them with toys, puzzles, and opportunities to forage for food.
• Cleaning: Their enclosures need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and parasites.
• Time Commitment: Caring for an opossum requires a significant time commitment. They need daily attention, feeding, and cleaning, as well as regular veterinary care.

Exploring Opossum Wildlife Rehabilitation

Instead of keeping opossums as pets, consider supporting opossum wildlife rehabilitation. Rehabilitation centers rescue and care for injured or orphaned opossums, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

• Supporting Local Centers: Donate time or money to local wildlife rehabilitation centers.
• Reporting Injured Animals: If you find an injured or orphaned opossum, contact a local rehabilitation center for assistance.
• Education: Learn about opossums and their role in the ecosystem. Educate others about the importance of protecting wildlife.

Contemplating Opossum Adoption

Opossum adoption is not a common practice, but sometimes orphaned or injured opossums that cannot be released back into the wild become available for adoption. This is a rare occurrence and should only be considered if you are fully prepared to provide the specialized care they need.

• Finding Adoption Opportunities: Contact local wildlife rehabilitation centers to see if they have any opossums available for adoption.
• Screening Process: Be prepared for a rigorous screening process to ensure that you are a suitable caregiver.
• Legal Requirements: Make sure that you meet all legal requirements for keeping an opossum in your area.

Fathoming the Consequences

Before considering keeping an opossum as a pet, carefully consider the potential consequences.

• For the Opossum: A life in captivity may not be fulfilling for a wild animal.
• For Yourself: Are you prepared for the time, expense, and commitment involved in caring for an opossum?
• For the Environment: Removing opossums from the wild can negatively impact local populations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are opossums dangerous?

A: Opossums are generally not aggressive and will only bite or scratch if they feel threatened. However, they can carry diseases, so it’s important to handle them with care.

Q: What do opossums eat in the wild?

A: Opossums are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including insects, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and carrion.

Q: Can opossums be potty trained?

A: Opossums can be trained to use a litter box, but it requires patience and consistency.

Q: Do opossums make good pets for children?

A: Opossums are not good pets for children. They are nocturnal animals and can be easily stressed by handling.

Q: How long do opossums live?

A: In the wild, opossums typically live for 1-2 years. In captivity, they can live for up to 4 years.

Q: Can I rehabilitate an injured opossum myself?

A: No. Caring for injured wildlife requires specialized knowledge, skills, and permits. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.