Opossums are one of the most unusual animals in the United States. They’re the only marsupial in North America. They famously carry their babies on their backs and have cute appearances as well as mellow personalities. Some people even love them so much that they wish they could keep one as a pet. However, the reality is that this is not the best plan. In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about an opossum’s care needs.
Many States Prohibit or Restrict Opossum Ownership
Before we talk about an opossum’s care needs, it’s crucial to identify if you can legally own one of these animals. It’s illegal to keep an opossum in many American states, including New York, Illinois, and California. However, it may be possible in places like Florida, Texas, and Mississippi. You will require a special permit or license to keep one of these animals, and there are no guarantees that you can get one. Usually, states reserve these permits for professional wildlife rehabilitators and won’t give them to regular people. Meanwhile, some states, including Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri, have different regulations from county to county.
Breaking the law could result in severe penalties. If you rescue an orphaned opossum (or any injured animal, for that matter), you should contact a wildlife rescue agency. They will have the training to help the stricken creature. Remember: even if a local vet is willing to treat a “domesticated” opossum, they’re unlikely to return it to your care.
Even with the best intentions, you shouldn’t keep a pet opossum.
Opossums Have Nuanced Dietary Needs
One of the trickiest aspects of keeping a pet opossum is its complex dietary needs. Make no mistake: it’s a massive challenge to feed them properly. Opossums have extremely slow metabolisms, so it’s very easy for keepers to accidentally overfeed them.
It’s easy to tell if an opossum is obese. They will develop a distinctive cross-eyed expression. It may look very cute, but the reality is that it’s a sign that they’re not healthy. Opossums are omnivorous and require plenty of variety in their diet. It’s not enough just to give them cat food or dog food because they’ll suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Experts recommend one tablespoon of protein per day for opossums. Cooked chicken, peeled eggs, and mealworms are all suitable options.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are also healthy for opossums. Leafy greens are the best options, and you could also give them sliced carrots and broccoli. Never give them human junk food, grapes, or avocados because these are toxic for opossums.
Opossums Need Ample Living Space
Another issue with keeping opossums is that they require massive living spaces. Experts advise that a minimum-sized enclosure should be six feet long and six feet high, with a width of three feet. This is far too big for most people’s homes, yet the space is necessary.
Why? An opossum can travel up to two miles in a single night in search of food. It can’t do this in captivity. The lack of activity would impact the animal’s already slow metabolism and increase the likelihood of health issues.
Meanwhile, your opossum’s enclosure should have a constant temperature of about 71 degrees Fahrenheit with 50 percent humidity. Opossums love climbing, so there should be frames or even trees for them to explore. It’s safe to say that they’re not good apartment pets!
Opossums’ Behavior Isn’t Conducive to Domestic Life
Opossums aren’t aggressive, but they can be destructive in some circumstances. Owners should constantly supervise free-roam sessions because they’re very curious, and this can lead to trouble. They’ll open cabinet doors and investigate anything that piques their curiosity. Opossums can cause severe damage to households and themselves by biting through wires and appliances. With 50 sharp teeth, they have more than any other mammal in North America.
Theoretically, you can handle a captive-bred opossum with no problems. Never pick them up by their sensitive tails because this will stress them. Instead, use two hands and support the weight of their entire body. Be wary because they have sharp teeth, and even apparently tame opossums may bite if frightened. Opossums famously play dead and open their mouth to expose their teeth when they’re scared––which may seem funny but ultimately results from stress.
Opossums Are Prone to Health Problems
One of the main reasons why keeping a pet opossum is a bad idea is because of their health issues. They are extremely prone to metabolic bone disease. This occurs when they don’t get enough calcium in their diets. To prevent this condition, wildlife rehabilitators often provide opossums with calcium supplements. It’s an extremely debilitating condition that almost always results in death.
We already mentioned that opossums are prone to obesity, and this can trigger further health issues, like heart disease. Don’t forget: most vets don’t have the skill or training necessary to treat an ailing opossum. They would likely refer you to a wildlife sanctuary or animal rescue.
Short-tailed Opossums Make Suitable Pets
While North American opossums don’t make good pets, some experienced pet keepers keep short-tailed opossums, much smaller marsupials hailing from South America. Unlike its North American counterpart, it’s perfectly legal to own one in many jurisdictions. These small mammals are also much easier to care for because of their modest size requirements and robust nature.
You can keep one in a standard 20-gallon tank, but you should still include small branches for climbing. They have much simpler dietary requirements than North American opossums and don’t suffer from the same risk of obesity. Short-tailed opossums are a much better option if you want to keep a marsupial pet!
