Thinks possums are nasty ugly creatures? Maybe this will change your mind. :)

[luckies4me]

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He was about 2 months oop in these photos.

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*** I meant *think* not *thinks* lol

[luckies4me]

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[luckies4me]

And here he is now. All grown up. :) It's amazing to think he used to be so darn tiny.

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The orange spot in the middle of his chest is a scent gland. He just reached sexual maturity. He is getting neutered next month. :)

He is a bit spoiled. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/luckies4me2/504.jpg

[luckies4me]

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Here he is falling asleep. They are the most bizarre sleepers! When they get tired they will close their eyes and then just fall over sideways and be totally knocked out. It's the strangest thing. lol.

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He likes to hold things while he sleeps.
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[luckies4me]

He went through a I look like I stuck my tail in an electrical outlet phase for a bit when he was younger. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/luckies4me2/102.jpg

[Karen]

What a cutie! How did you end up with him? Most opossums around here are quite shy, and people rarely see them except in unfortunate circumstances.

[luckies4me]

He kept Kholi company after her surgery. :) He adores the kids, anyone really. Especially the cats. His favorite thing to do is climb onto the counter (he got caught in the one photo!) when I'm cleaning cages. He is probably the easiest pet to care for. Tho they do need specific diets. If you google pet possum you will see many photos of what a possum in captivity SHOULD NOT look like. It is a very sad thing. :(

[luckies4me]

Also, he will do anything for a grape or marshmellow. He absolutely loves them. Karen, his mother was hit by a car. He developed neurological issues because of this. He was the only one who survived. He cried and cried for his mother for two days straight. After I become his new mom anytime I left he would cry for me. Cry=high pitched bark. My bf is in love with him. If anything happened to him he would cry like a sissy girl. He is very much a loved member of our family. He is getting neutered next week and I plan on using him for educational purposes.

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh my gosh, how cute!!!:love:

[Scooter's Mom]

He's really cute!

[luckies4me]

It's funny because the majority of people really think he's cool. I was expecting more of an ewww what is that sort of response, but things have gone good for us. :0) I can't wait to start taking him to schools.

[luckies4me]

I don't know why people do not keep them as pets more often, except for the obvious legality issues. They make very good pets. He is litter trained, non destructive and mild mannered. His vet even pondered the thought. Def a good pet. Easier to care for than my ferrets, cats and dog! Of course, if they were turned into pets they would need to be so from an early age. The only thing he absolutely hates is getting a bath. I'll try to video him next time so you can hear how upset he gets!

[luckies4me]

You know he likes you a lot when he licks you. He will go on licking sprees and basically cover your whole arm in drool. They have a very wet mouth. With 50 teeth! You can see how much bigger their teeth are than cats. And yes, we can stick our hands in his mouth, brush his teeth, dress him up etc. He just doesn't care at all. :p

[luckies4me]

He is actually teething right now. Since he just hit maturity he is losing his baby teeth and getting his big boy teeth. They also have extremely sharp nails, which I'm gathering is just a marsupial thing as every marsupial I have ever had the pleasure of holding has extremely sharp nails. They are like razor blades and need to be clipped once a week. He is also a festidious cleaner. He cleans himself after every meal.

[luckies4me]

Here is a bit of info on possums. :)

http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/Ed_Program/opossum.htm
http://awildlifepro.com/wildlife/Opossum.aspx

[chocolatepuppy]

The picture with the hat on is beyond cute!:cool:

[krazyaboutkatz]

He's adorable and I'm glad that he gets along well with everyone.:)

[blue]

Im glad its working out for you and hope it continues to work for you.

I cannot get over the fact that it is a wild animal and it should be in the wild and not be a pet.

I dont remember right now if you are experienced with rehabilitating wild animals, I really do hope you are.

Not trying to be negative about this. Best of luck.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Very cute!
When I worked for a wildlife rehabber the opossums we're among my favorites.

[luckies4me]

Im glad its working out for you and hope it continues to work for you.

I cannot get over the fact that it is a wild animal and it should be in the wild and not be a pet.

I dont remember right now if you are experienced with rehabilitating wild animals, I really do hope you are.

Not trying to be negative about this. Best of luck.

Like I said previously, his mother was hit by a car and because of that he developed neurological issues. He cannot be released into the wild, especially now since he has imprinted on humans and other animals. He is terrified of being outside. We do take him out regularly just so he can be in "nature" but he much prefers to be inside with us. Opossums have ranked smarter than dogs on tests. They are very content being pets. It is much different than say, taking a fox (and not fur farm foxes which have been domesticated for years), alligator, bird etc from the wild. Much much different.

Also, I have worked with wildlife for many many years, and volunteer for Willamette Wildlife. I have raised many an opposum, hence why you can see how healthy my "pet" oppossum is compared to most others you see on the internet. Do a search for pet possum and you will see the difference. This is all due to the fact that these people have no experience with these animals and do not do their research on proper care, feeding and husbandry needed to keep one successfully healthy as a pet. When I worked at Santa Clara Animal Hospital (the head vet used to be the lead vet for Wildlife Safari- a drive through zoo in Oregon and the leading breeder of the endangered Cheetah), a man had a pet possum and would bring it in regularly for check ups. It was always sick, probably due to the fact that the man fed it lots of candy, and would also bring Skittles and M&M's with him during appointments. These were his possum "treats." Also, I work at a vet clinic. How would any layperson be able to schedule a possum neuter? Most vets do not get involved with wild animals, one because they are wild and there are specific laws about their care and treatment, and two, they just don't know much about them.

I have years and years of experience with exotics and wild animals. Cats and Dogs were once wild animals as well. As were skunks, degus, parrots etc. As long as the animal is well cared for and loved it should not matter where the animal lives. As long as it remains healthy and happy. :)

[kaycountrygal]

He's a cute little feller. It sounds as if you really know what you're doing with him. More than likely he would have died if you had not taken such good care of him. I agree with other poster that the pic with hat is adorable. Hope all goes well in the future.

[luckies4me]

Thanks. :)

[Taz_Zoee]

I will start by saying they do creep me out. But seeing this guy incorporated with your family he is a cutie! :)

[luckies4me]

Thanks! :) I think their large mouths and eyes creep most out. They are so gentle though.

[Karen]

I think the long mostly naked tail folks see, and that wild opossums are usually seen only at night, so in the glow of a headlight or flashlight and their eyes reflect the light help creep some people out. But I have never been, I think it is neat that they are our own native marsupial!

[Asiel]

That is the cutest little thing I've ever seen, first time I see a real possum, thanks for sharing the pictures, love them.

[luckies4me]

Thanks. :)

[tikeyas_mom]

AWEEE I just adore that baby !!! I want to steal! :D
Looks like your boyfriend and him are best buddies!! :p Thats hilarious the way he sleeps!
I have always wanted to own an exotic critter! I would love a skunk or possum, but they are illegal here in BC.
Great pics! :love:

[IRescue452]

I want one so bad. I once stopped for a possum crossing the road and it stopped and turned its head toward my car and I swear it grinned at me before finishing crossing. It was like saying "thanks for stopping". I love their faces with their big noses.

[ToBeEvergreen]

It's funny seeing him with your kitties, he fits right in! It's cool that you took him in, I'm not a fan of the idea of taking in wild animals unless in cases like yours, you're doing a great thing that a lot of people surely would not have done.

[Jo W.]

So cute! :)

I see Opossum here quite frequently at night. Once in awhile, will see one during the day. I love them! :love:

Last Summer, a woman in my neighbourhood said "last night, I saw a huge white rat in my backyard". I asked her to describe it and it was definitely an Opossum. She said "he's in my space". I told her "actually, No - you're in his space". :p

[Bonny]

Oh what a sweet baby possum. :) We have a lot of them around here. Many years ago one came onto our deck & ate with the cats. It took a liking to cat food. We fed it cheese & fruit too. It would lick its little paws (hands) off after eating. A very neat clean tidy possum.:D

[anna_66]

Ok, I'm totally in love:love: I've never thought they were ugly and nasty, just cute and different!

I'm so glad you were able to save his life and incoroprate him into your loving home.
And the pictures, way beyond adorable!

[luckies4me]

They are indeed very clean critters. He washes himself after every meal. In fact, he grooms himself more than the cats do. I am actually going to start my own opossum rescue. Focusing mainly on opossums but we'll occasionally take in other critters as well. :) I'm not sure why people have chosen other exotics to turn into pets and not the opossum since they are mild mannered, litter train, non destructive etc. Most possums here don't live very long. We see them on the road all the time. :(

[Casper]

How did I miss this?
You certainly don't have to try to convince me that opossums are adorable... I love them! Definitely one of my favorite natives. I raised and released eight of them earlier this year and being so close to them made me fall even more in love. The opposable thumbs on their back feet are the cutest. :love:

I'm glad you'll be using him for education since he can't be released. Does he have a name? Maybe you said it and I just didn't catch it...

[luckies4me]

His name is ROUS! :D

[luckies4me]

My boy has finally went to the rainbow bridge. I miss him very much. :( He lived wuite awhile for an opossum. :) He was well loved.

[Karen]

Aww, rest in peace, dear Rous!

We will always remember you, especially your nice pictures when you were Pet of the Day (http://petoftheday.com/archive/2011/November/11.html)!

http://petoftheday.com/archive/2011/November/11.jpg

[Bonny]

I am sorry to read of Rous's passing. Rous had a wonderful life with you. Rest In Peace Rous