Omega Pet Food Product Background. There are two colour forms of the species - grey and black, with many vari… Like all marsupials, possums have a pouch, or a marsupium. earlier this year, we brought you the story of a very special possum, who lives in hamilton. Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips, Kiwis as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips. for more information. When speaking of true possums, i.e. Thats why hunters rave about feeding possum to … Possums are defined as a pest under most regional pest management plans in New Zealand. The possum is the animal we are discussing in this article, but it is also known as the opossum. Opossums cannot suckle so you have to feed it with a seringe. The average density in the North Island is equivalent to four possums per hectare, but can reach 25 animals per hectare on pasture bordering areas of native forest and shrubland. I thought that if I followed the expert advice of possum specialists, I could keep my baby alive and happy. "They eat the birds eggs, I have to provide a safe habitat. They will wander around and snoop at everything eating bugs and such. Now the woman has a bird sanctuary at her Kaitaia home, and while she said she still loves possums, she shoots them if they come onto her property. Both need the care of a vet and treatment should basic health issues arise. They are found in North, South and Central America, but mainly in the North. The opossum is also a very good climber; please keep this in mind when considering an opossum as a pet. Due to their appearance and size, the North American Opossum (also called Virginia Opossum) can seriously freak people out looking like an oversized rat. They make very poor pets. No person is allowed to keep a possum in captivity as a pet, without the permission of the Minister of Conservation. The possum is a beautiful animal, but there are many specific concerns regarding keeping them as a pet. I work in a wildlife shelter with brushtail possums & can tell you that as babies they are so cute but as they mature become aggressive. At first, the animal can adapt to living with people. You need to possum-proof your home. Your possum also needs to be trained to use a litter box since childhood if they are never able to be returned to the wild. Possums attack pets or even humans with massively pointed teeth. According to the article "keeping him in captivity" will make him aggressive and is not the best choice? The English word ‘possum’ was first used for this opossum variety. When you notice that the opossum is lapping up it's puppy milk, you can offer solid foods in the form of baby food, Pay close attention for the first week when offering solid foods as the opossum has a tendency to take too much and choke. But it happened to me. Poor diets can lead to metabolic bone diseases that are expensive to treat and potentially fatal. "They compete directly for food for native birds, they like to eat bird chicks and eggs, and dine out on insects, they are real omnivores.". Lack of immunity in captivity conditions can lead to bacterial diseases. However, when Australia was colonized by Europeans, they took this word and applied it to another type of marsupial which is found there, but not in the Americas. (2015). Then expect to pay a heck of a lot more than that on a suitable enclosure, diet, toys and furniture for them. ... especially the fact that keeping an opossum as a pet will bring a lot of serious challenges for the owner. Symptoms of Labor, Teaching a Child to Care for a Pet: Guidelines and Tips, Caring for Puppy Dogs: Guidelines and Tips, How to Get a Dog to Sleep - Tips and Home Remedies, How to Take Care of a Short-Haired Guinea Pig. Cold Case murder mystery: What happened to Marion Granville? Diego Astúa, R., et al. This release was unsuccessful and a second release 20 years later at the same Southland location was required for them to establish. The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, was first introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur trade. They are Northland's number one animal pest, according to the Northland Regional Council. Just different pronunciations. 0 0 1 0 They are ment to be wild animals. I loved him dearly and it broke my heart. Furthermore, is it right to take wild animals away from their natural habitat? Wibowo Djatmiko. opossums and possums aren’t the same animal. First Evidence of Gregarious Denning in Opossums (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), with Notes on Their Social Behaviour. Possums have a voracious appetite for our native trees and plants. "They make highly intelligent lovely pets, but they can do a lot of damage.". "There are, however, strict criteria around breeding possums and putting them on public display." It's illegal to keep possums in captivity in Northland but possum lovers say they make "highly intelligent, lovely pets". Based on where one resides, a volunteer may be needed with a wildlife rehabilitator to ensure your pet possum remains in good health. If you have existing pets (e.g., dog, cat), an opossum may not be a great addition. Possums also have a short lifespan; around three years or less in the wild. Possums are commonly found in the forests of New Zealand - their natural habitat. Posted: (1 days ago) As many posts on r/Opossums will be quick to inform you, possums should only be kept as pets when they require rehabilitative care and couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. "I never pushed the relationship but she would let me stroke her and I would feed her grain twice a day and willow when it started to sprout," Hitchens said. But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and … In this article we are talking about the North American possum, but it would be just as accurate to ask can you keep an opossum as a pet? The possum feeds on insects, voles and mice. Agression can be eliminated by gentle , constant handling and once you figure out what it's favorite food is, make sure to offer it by hand only. Some say it is cruel to not "return them to nature"? Possums rarely earn positive reactions and begs of "Can I hold him one more time?" Possums that live longer than a year may suffer from cataracts, lose coordination and become obese. In addition, opossums are solitary animals and may not get along with other animals. HE'S ONE OF VERY FEW IN NEW ZEALAND KEPT AS PETS, PERFECTLY LEGALLY. Take a look at our article whether Possums dangerous for humans or pets? Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur industry. These animals generally don't fare well in captivity. Use our trapping best practice to ensure you get the best results. Wildlife rehabilitators are people who dedicate their lives (or at least large parts of them) to helping wild animals in trouble. Even though some people to it, more often than not, it turns out bad for the animal. A couple of news stories about pests as pets recently caught our attention and while we’re animal lovers too, the council’s focus is on protecting our native species from extinction as they can’t always defend themselves. I've even been told that he needs rabies shots? But my critters seem to have a different opinion on wanting to be returned to the wild as we originally intended to do. Common brushtail possum. Grow vegetation that will provide natural food sources, like flowers and fruit, for brushtail possums. Update: Ju5tin - I regret to inform you that youre wrong. Need possum removal in your hometown? At first, the animal can adapt to living with people. Do not litter train them if they can be. But, is it truly right to keep a possum as a pet? If you are a possum "pet owner" I would really appreciate a more realistic guide or answer as I don't want to hold any species against their will. Opossums will want to climb over everything in your home. As with any non-domesticated animal, we need to start with a question. It may even cuddle and form a relationship with you. Because possums are so regularly hit by cars or otherwise killed, there are many orphaned baby possums in the world. It's illegal to keep possums in captivity in Northland but possum lovers say they make "highly intelligent, lovely pets". Obviously the person who wrote this article has never had a pet possum. Once healthy, rehabilitated possums should be released into the wild where possible. The possum returned every night around dusk to play with the cats for two months. They do not like to be held captive and will need to seriously bond with a human when they are young if you can expect them to co-habitate peacefully. Possum meat is particularly high in Linoleic Acid, an essential fatty acid which is important for skin health. Possums carry mites, fleas, and ticks that may adversely affect the health of your pets. By 1950 possums were found in over half of New Zealand and they kept spreading. People often ask the same question about domestication for animals such as otters or kangaroo rats. Keep pet food inside. Another important factor is that it is illegal to keep possums without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. If they are being kept as pets, they could become overweight and potentially unhealthy. Can you keep a possum as a pet NZ? When they behave like nature intended they can be not so nice "pets". It is essential to strike a balance in order to remain healthy. It's an offence to breed, knowingly communicate, exhibit, multiply, propagate, release, or sell a pest except under certain circumstances (see section 52 and section 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993). If you don't have the dedication and time commitment it takes to raise an opossum, find a wild life rehabber ASAP. Sometimes, an orphaned possum may be found abandoned. The tips provided in this article are the ones used to help care for sick or injured possums. We use minced possum meat in our Lamb and Possum adult dog food as wild caught NZ Possum is an excellent source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. So it isn’t a good idea to have a possum if you have parrots. This simulates what the mother does as an act of hygiene ( she eats the pee and poop } and this keeps the area clean. These creatures steal chickens. This article is about Opossums, not Possums... Its the same animal, you idiot. The Brush-tailed Possum [Trichosurus vulpecula] is a marsupial or pouched mammal. 1. We want to keep him but this article makes me question are we doing the right thing? A possums size can be little and computer mouse like yet various other types such as the Australian Brush rear can show up to be the dimension of your pet cat. it is about 4" long not counting tail,I gave it some orange Gator Aid and some apple sauce,very,very little of both,I put heating pad and a very soft blanket in a lower part of a cage,made sure she is in dark, I will try and feed it in two hours or so,I also rub her back and tummy with my fingers, is there any way of knowing if she was lost or abandoned? Permits must be obtained before trapping possums. They are not widely available so you'd either have to find a breeder or get in contact with a specialised pet shop. Black possums predominate in wetter, forested areas, including the Kaimai Range, Te Urewera, Westland, Fiordland and western Southland, and on Stewart Island and Chatham Island. Possum fur is very soft and luxurious (the reason why they were introduced into NZ). If it is then captured and contained it is impossible to provide the animal with the quality of life it has learnt to expect. Breath. "I do understand why you aren't allowed to keep them - they are an introduced animal and they do create a lot of damage. Possums are also a threat to native wildlife such as Kiwis in New Zealand. In colour it is grey or dark brown on the head, back and tail and white or dirty yellow on the belly. They cannot be applied to every animal in a given species. Catching a live possum can reap a handsome reward. This female possum lived happily in Ronnie Hitchen's shed in Kaitaia. Opossum or possum photos courtesy of the U.S. Grey possums are more common in … A wild one would tear you to pieces! 1. You may even need to pass a written exam or take a training class to get a permit. As many posts on r/Opossums will be quick to inform you, possums should only be kept as pets when they require rehabilitative care and couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. The trap holds the possum, which usually curls up and goes to sleep once it realises it can’t escape. Contact us for your local agent. In general, it is not recommended to keep possums as pets. So far he is growing rapidly and seems to be doing well. Here are just a few of the animals that you can't keep as pets in Alabama (not that you'd want a pet piranha of course.) Is cannibalism legal in California? Apply for a permit. Another black possum caused Hitchens disbelief when she found it playing with her cats. The same goes for keeping possums as pets. Opossum attacks are rare, but they do take place, which is why having a possum as a pet is not such a good idea. It continued to live in the shed and I fed it, then one morning I went down and it had gone. We rescued 3 infants whose mother and other siblings were killed on the road when they were about 8 weeks old. However, making the distinction can help clear up any concerns on what you are dealing with. Opossums, however, are more commonly referred to simply as possums in the South and Midwest of the USA. Even though some people to it, more often than not, it turns out bad for the animal. Based on your description of size, open eyes and behaviour it is at least 8 weeks old. A possum. dawsonfurs@callplus.net.nz. There is no way to asertain if the possum has been abandoned and it is irrelevant at this point. Ronnie Hitchens fed a female possum for two years after it made a home between sheds at her Kaitaia farm. Mine don't seem to support that opinion. Keep in mind possums have 52 teeth designed to crush bones for a reason. A native of Australia, the possum was introduced into New Zealand between 1837 and 1840 to establish a fur industry. So they work out to be pretty beneficial for combating household pests. Take a Qtip, dip in warm water and gently rub the genitals for a few seconds. We also need to consider kindness. They can also threaten livestock and crops of farmers. Posted: (1 days ago) The possum is a beautiful animal, but there are many specific concerns regarding keeping them as a pet. "There were some cats playing on the rockery, and then I thought "I don't have that many black cats'.". But, as it grows, your will notice that it is turning into a wild animal, and that it starts displaying some animal instincts. Since the arrival of people 750 years ago 75 plant and animal species have gone extinct and many, many more are at risk of disappearing. Because possums are so regularly hit by cars or otherwise killed, there are many orphaned baby possums in the world. In fact, about 70% of the plants and animals found in NZ can be found nowhere else in the world! The possum is a beautiful animal, but there are many specific concerns regarding keeping them as a pet. An apple hung on a string will encourage the animal to bob for apples. There are some individuals which have shown docility in front of humans, but not all possums will be the same. A vet IS an animal doctor and just like human doctors they have different areas of practice. However, possums come in grey and dark forms and there also are occasional albino animals. Learn more about possums as pets in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0307, Toucans as Pets: Guidelines and General Tips, Third Eyelid Showing in Cats - Causes and Treatment, Curly Haired Dog Breeds - List and Description, When to Give a Puppy a Bath for the First Time, How to Control a Male Dog Around a Female in Heat, Is my Dog about to Give Birth? "Northlanders spend a lot of effort trying to get rid of them. What is the difference between a possum and an opossum? The disease is endemic in possums across about 38% of New Zealand (known as 'vector risk areas'). Virginia possums run up about £500 each for babies, more for adults. Fish and Wildlife Service Opossums can carry parasites that affect horses and birds. "If another one turned up like she did, I would feed it - it's almost a compliment to have a wild animal stay there. Depending on where you are or who you speak to, there is either a lot or no difference between an opossum and a possum. Opossum’s lifespan can vary in the wild and in captivity. Temuka woman's beloved pet possum goes missing, Possum punch video 'animal cruelty': Environment Canterbury, SPCA, Luna the baby possum bids farewell to her 'mother' who saved her, Secret possum rescuers: the people who love a hated New Zealand pest. Choose an appropriate home comprising a nesting box, exercise wheel for nighttime and branches to climb on. Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips. They seem to know that indoors they have air conditioning, food, and good housing. Pygmy possums are not opossums, but the kind found in Australia we discussed above. Possums as pets dangers. In captivity, they may survive for longer, if proper nutrition and care are received from a qualified handler. Another Kaitaia woman who didn't wish to be named, said she grew up with a young possum after it was found curled up in her father's army coat pocket. Provide lots of “escape routes” for possums to get away from dogs – trees and sturdy trellis leading up to high walls and rooftops provide such routes. In 1921 the Government made it illegal to bring any more possums to New Zealand. Biology Letters, 11.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0307, Click to attach a photo related to your comment. It is important to be patient with these possums and permit them to smell you before picking them up. By joining, or logging in via Facebook, you accept Change.org’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. This is particularly the case with a baby possum as they are indeed vulnerable. In the southern rātā–kāmahi forests of Westland, many valleys lost more than 50% of canopy trees within 15–20 years of possums arriving. The possum has a thick, bushy tail, thick body fur, a pointed snout and large, pointed ears. Diets in captivity cannot hope to match the diversity of the animal's diet in the wild. Can a wild animal live amongst humans, and is it safe? Even when confronted with a predator, they will use the infamous "playing possum" technique to appear dead and avoid an actual brawl. Opossums and many other wild animals will be attracted to the food, and you may even be putting your pet in danger by causing fights over the food. Use. Stress and tension experienced due to confinement and lack of exercise as well as proper diet are the main barriers to the survival of possums in captivity. Although there are mixed opinions about the issue, you’ll still hear conservationists and the New Zealand government push for possum eradication. Agreed... "Opossums do not fare well in captivity" has to be the worst line of the whole article... in the wild they Are the "fare" so to speak. While the opossum is not generally an aggressive animal, this aspect should not be ignored. Several EU nations halt UK flights, fearing virus variant, Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: December 21, 2020, New Zealand vs Pakistan: Tim Southee stars as Black Caps seal Twenty20 series, Son of former All Black stars at national under-19 cricket tournament, Fear strawberries won't be back next Christmas, fruit growers warn they can't continue, 'You must stay in your state': Victoria shuts out Sydney, sends police to border, Aliens or artists? Stimulation is a simple process. "If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. In 1946, possums were officially declared a pest in the New Zealand environment. Purchase a humane possum trap. Yes you can. Northland Regional Council biosecurity manager Don McKenzie said the council recently posted a warning to social media, after seeing people discuss keeping possums as pets. They are not on the DWA list either, so a license is not necessary. This is something important when considering opossums as pets. They seem to understand and appreciate they are safe and more comfortable inside where they are free from predators, parasites, and the other elements of nature. These pets love to chew on wires and wires so search around to see to it that they are no place near your electric wiring as fires might be caused. Their scientific name is Didelphimorphia. We take them outside almost daily to let them forage and get adjusted to nature. Some are capable of surviving on their own, while others aren’t. The majority of vets don’t yet have the experience to deal with their health issues. It eats a wide variety of food on its nightly rounds. The opossum is an omnivore. They have long snouts and small, sharp teeth. Opossums are not meant to be kept as pets, and I swear to you it is the most expensive, gut wrenching heart-breaking experience I have suffered thus far. These creatures are a similar size and have similar behavior, but are not the same species. Words & images: Sheryn Dean Trappers use a soft leg-hold trap to catch possums. On the other hand, there are still many advocates for the possum, with some Kiwis keeping possums as pets and others objecting to the methods used to eradicate possums in New Zealand. Others have become reliant on humans to the point that sending them to the wild will mean they have little chance of surviving. Ensure they are safe from pets on your property Keep cats indoors, or confined to outdoor enclosures. It used to meet her at the bus stop after school, and was fed bits of fruit. They eat the berries and flowers that are food for our native birds and insects. Domestication is a process which takes centuries. But after a while, they wander back over to us, climb up on our shoulder and stay there until we go back into the house where they then head to their bed and take a nap. "But I wouldn't deliberately go out and find a possum to make a pet out of it.". The worst part about keeping an opossum for a pet is that they don't have a long lifespan..... Other than that they make Awesome pets! Their claws are sharper than a cats & are stronger too. Thankssss. Agriculture. Where can I get a permit and do I need to take it to the vet? jeff. Keeping Possums as Pets: Why Possums Are Good for Nature. They are quite gentle, as trapper Blake O’Laughlin demonstrates in the photo below by ‘trapping’ his hand in one. Should I keep possums as pets? Photo via flickr. Poultry such as ducks and turkeys are also at risk. Possums are vectors of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis), which is a major threat to the dairy, beef, and deer farming industries. By rearing a possum in captivity, you are suppressing their natural instincts. While there may be many examples of wild animals creating bonds with human beings, the circumstances where this happens are unique. They are not rodents! It will not pee or poop if you don't do this and will die. You need to find an animal doctor who is qualified to address this type of health problems if you are going to raise a possum. If your dog or cat spends most of its time outside, stick to a feeding schedule rather than leaving food outside around the clock. In the wild, the possum is usually docile and will not attack you without confrontation. Their diet includes the following: The possum also feeds on small animals such as mice, rats, and roadkill. The stress of lost freedom, being close to humans … The fur is about 4-6 cm in length with a dense cushioned undercoat. If not, then they may attack you our of frustration or in defense of being locked up. I sleep with mine and he has free run of the house. They are marsupials with prehensile tails, making them very good climbers. "She died half-way through bringing up her last but it was well developed and certainly able to survive. This article made me worried...we found a baby possum in the garage who looked lost so we brought him in. Possums can cause catastrophic dieback, the complete collapse of a forest canopy – especially tree species that possums prefer, such as rātā and kāmahi. McKenzie said he couldn't say how many cases he had come across, but it was part of his job as a regulator to remind people it's illegal to keep possums as pets. By contrast any adult native animal, including birds and possums, that has been reared in the wild, has learnt to fear humans, watch for other predators, find a diet of natural food and interact with other members of its own species. The diet is varied including corn and poultry. You should go to a pet store and buy puppy milk to feed it. I just found a baby possum,it has it`s eyes open but is so weak it has trouble walking,or maybe it`s still learning? We want to do what is best for him. These creatures are curious and agile. Transforming a possum into a pet can be an expensive proposition and one fraught with dangers for these animals. For possums in captivity, the animals can be kept stimulated by hiding their favorite foods inside logs or hollow gourds. The possum reared three joeys in that time. Short-tailed possums are solitary creatures with night time habits, so they do not like captivity. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. There is a baby food that comes in a tube that is very handy for portioning out and storing, Handle your opossum as much as possible. Once they are old enough to survive independently, healthy possums can and should be released. & you dont have to find them all* but it would be cool if you could find as many as possible. While the opossum is not generally an aggressive animal, this aspect should not be ignored. I have recently found a possum and it says I need a permit to keep it. The marsupials compete with native wildlife for food, and eat birds eggs and insects. Some animals are simply not healthy enough to ever return to the wild. Scientists have no idea why they age so quickly. To keep the opossum/possum legally, a wildlife rehabilitation permit is needed from the state. They are known to live for three years in th… Possum Enrichment. The North American Opossum is the only marsupial living in the north and parts of Center and South America. While many consider opossums solitary animals, recent studies have shown them to be more gregarious than previously thought[1]. As others have said here, it takes work and dedication to assure their health and well being. Possums are established over more than 90% of New Zealand and are a very serious problem. Pests in terms of the diseases they spread to people and pets include TB, leptospirosis, coccidiosis, tularemia, spotted fever and other diseases. My little fellow {Sweet Pea} loves egg yolk and cheese. They also have great dexterity, making them able to open drawers, cabinets and other things they shouldn't. The best way to keep them from visiting is to have tight-fitting lids on garbage cans, not to leave any pet food outside overnight and to remember to pick up any fruit that has fallen from trees. Can we keep possums as pets? This leads to many kind-hearted animal lovers wanting to take the animal in and raise them as a pet. In our need to be connected to nature, many people are looking to exotic pets to keep in the home. However, these creatures are wild animals and they require rehabilitation. This is the same as the necessary socialization process of any domestic animal. The possum will likely want to run out of the house, much like many a pet cat. Technically, you need a permit to keep a possum as a pet, but the Department of Conservation doesn't enforce that law, as long as the possum stays on the property. Virginia possums are nocturnal and enjoy a slow paced, calmer household as they are timid and frightened. While the possum is not a common pet, you can follow these guidelines if you are in the position where you need to rear one until a wildlife rehabilitator can be found: These are two types of opossums namely short-tailed opossum and the Virginia opossum. those that are native to Australia, it is illegal to keep any possum as a pet: thus, the answer is "no" - a possum cannot be a pet. We service over 500 USA locations! If you are asking, “Can opossums be pets?” maybe the better questions revolve around how well you can maintain their natural lifestyle, and if you’d want to. Possums are also prone to disease, death, and infections in captivity. They are never referred to as an opossum, which is why many call the American kind the opossum and the antipodean variety simply the possum. However. The question of whether these animals fare well in captivity remains. Can you keep a possum as a pet? In these areas, nearly 70% of new herd infections can be traced back to possums or ferrets. Opossums can be encountered in the backyard and pose a threat to pets and humans. There is quite a lot of interest about possums as pets. In general, it is not recommended to keep possums as pets. More directly, they can cause a wide range of far more dangerous diseases, such as tuberculosis, spotted fever, leptospirosis, and others. They can stay zoned out for hours, emitting a … The New Zealand Government spends over $110 million* per year on possum control. Dangers of a possum infestation. Keep the possum away from horses. While the opossum is not generally an aggressive animal, this aspect should not be ignored. You will have to feed every three hours and after each feeding you have to stimulate the genitles to pee and poop. So now we obtain to the great stuff. But by then, possums were already living in 450 different parts of New Zealand. Possums have natural habits and behaviors they need to carry out. Also, if you're in Australia its totally illegal to have a brushtail possum as a pet. In the wild, the possum is usually docile and will … They have to deal with predators and human intrusions. "While we can understand they are cute and cuddly, rules around these species for a reason. 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