How hard is it to keep a possum as a pet?

It’s illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once they’re old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released. They’re wild animals who don’t fare well often in captivity. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking.

Can possums be affectionate?

Opossums, which have been in California for only the last 100 years, were introduced as pets; when let loose they flourished in the West Coast climate. It’s a sign of affection, but it’s an experience when, in the middle of the night, you’re awakened by a big opossum licking your face.”

Are possums friendly to humans?

Opossums are not generally aggressive or vicious but have been known to attack humans. Opossums will fight back if they have to defend themselves and will attack to protect their young.

Will possums use a litter box?

Most opossums will naturally take to using a litter box if you introduce it to them as babies. Be patient as you litter train, placing your opossum in the box until she uses it and praising her when she does. After she is trained, she will need a litter box near her bed and in each room she spends time in.

How long do possums live as pets?

What Is The Average Lifespan of an Opossum? The average lifespan for the Virginia opossum is between two and four years. In captivity, the oldest recorded opossum was four years and five months old.

Do possums like to cuddle?

Even now that she’s older, her favorite things to do are cuddle, eat and sleep – opossums sleep over 18 hours a day, according to Rice.

How do you bond with a possum?

Offering tidbits such as mealworms or live crickets to your pet opossum by hand is an excellent way to get them to bond with you during the time you are trying to tame them.

Are possums good moms?

Opossums are good mothers. They’ll carry up to 13 babies in their marsupium for more than three months until they are old enough to emerge and ride on Mom’s back. Once they get too large, they will fall off her back, usually one or two at a time.

Are opossums gentle?

Opossums Are Gentle Wild Neighbors Opossums are peaceful animals that prefer not to fight although they may hiss, growl, and even bite if cornered. The animal can be poked, turned over, and even carried away without reaction.

Do pet opossums stink?

When an opossum goes into this comatose state, they also begin to emit a foul odor similar to that of a decaying corpse. Their body secretes this smelly substance from their anus when the comatose reaction is triggered. This putrid smell along with their “dead” state is what really drives the predators away.

Can a possum be potty trained?

Whether you’ve just adopted a short tailed or a Virginia opossum as a pet, you can train your opossum to use a litter box. Both opossum species are clean animals and both tend to choose designated areas to defecate and urinate. These qualities make litter box training easier to accomplish.

Can you litter train a possum?

Is it safe to keep a possum as a pet?

People sometimes find orphaned possums and consider raising these cute animals as pets. It’s illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once they’re old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released.

Do possums make good pets?

In some states, it may be illegal to raise or possess native wildlife, such as opossums, without a permit. Possums should only be cared for by those who are specially trained. Young possums require round-the-clock care and a specialized diet. On top of being difficult to raise, possums do not make good house pets.

Can you keep an opossum as a pet?

Opossums can carry parasites that affect horses and birds. So it isn’t a good idea to have a possum if you have parrots. Keep the possum away from horses. The opossum is also a very good climber; please keep this in mind when considering an opossum as a pet.

Are possums dangerous to humans or dogs?

Possums are generally harmless to human beings and household pets as long as they’re not cornered or threatened. Possums often play dead when frightened, but they are more likely to puff up, snarl and hiss when confronted. They are a threat to poultry and often kill birds or steal eggs.