Opossum Family Faces Difficult Beginning

The following story about baby opossums was submitted by Porsha’s Wild Care, Inc. in New York.

A few years ago I received a female opossum with seven babies. This opossum family had been inadvertently locked in a shed for several days before being discovered. The animal control officer who transported this opossum informed me that several of her babies had already perished.

This poor opossum was in terrible condition — emaciated, severely dehydrated, and very weak. One of the seven infants died immediately after admission. Mamma had given her all to save her young. Her babies were very thin and dehydrated but were not in as severe condition as she was.

After hydrating them all, I began gradually feeding Mamma EmerAid via syringe. She was too weak to self-feed. I stepped in for a time and took over the feedings of the little ones so that Mamma could use her energy to heal. It took more than a week before she could begin eating on her own, so she was fed EmerAid several times per day. Each day I was delighted to see Mamma and her infants gain strength.

The babies were never removed from their mother; only taken out to be fed and then returned to her. For the first several days I kept her in a large tote, which needed cleaning several times per day. As I moved her into a clean tote some of her babies held on to her back, but there were always a few remaining in the tote. I’d say, “Mamma, don’t worry I’m getting your babies.” She would just watch me, never once trying to bite me, hiss, or even open her mouth to show her 50 beautiful teeth.

After improving, mom and kids were moved to a cage. A carrier with the door left open allowed privacy with her young yet gave her space to eat, etc. The cage was plenty big enough for the youngsters to play and investigate their surroundings.

About a week after Mamma and her young arrived, I received a healthy baby opossum the same size as Mamma’s little ones. After two days of observance and feeling my new arrival was healthy, I placed him in with Mamma and her babies while they were nursing. He fit nicely in between two others and was readily accepted.

When Mamma and her seven beautiful youngsters were healthy and fit, all were soft released on our property.

I have used EmerAid for many animals over the years. It is the only intensive care diet I use. It is very palatable and mixes to a beautiful consistency. I never once had an animal not accept it.

(Photos show other rescued opossums; they do not show the babies raised with Mamma.)