If you take in an opossum
If you take in an opossum, always understand they are not a dog or cat. Do not treat them as you would a normal pet. They are also not to be handled roughly as if theyāre some dangerous animal, they are not.
#1 To get an opossum from a trap, blow on them. Theyāll walk or run away from you, out of the trap and into the pet carrier. Never drag them or put a choke hold on one!!
#2 If you have to set a trap, place the trap on a folded towel, not the ground. Cover the back half of the trap with an old shower curtain in case it rains or even the dew. It also gives them less fear to be able to feel hidden.
#3 Do not scruff them! Their mother does not carry them this way, they do not understand itā¦ to them it means certain death!
#4 If you are holding a tame one who is clinging to you, do not pull it away from you, you risk ripping out its nails! Opossums will hold on to clothing or your hair. Gently open their little hands when you need to put them down or hand them over to someone.
#5 If your home is active, give them a quiet place. Opossums are shy, they do not like a lot of activity, screaming or yelling, or loud music! Turn it down or give them their own room away from it. Do not allow children to ādragā them around.
#6 Do not ācorrectā or spank them! They have no understanding of this and itās cruel!
#7 I hope every one knows they do not hang from their tails, they cannot support their weight. Only babies are light enough to do so. Donāt believe the cute photos. It will seriously hurt them.
#8 When you hold them, always hold their tail as well. This will make them feel more secure. If the opossum swings its tail around, itās desperately trying to hold on to something to feel safe.
#9 Be gentle! Handle them with compassion. You deal with all wildlife, especially opossums, as easy and gentle as you can handle them.
#10 Give them a hiding place. This applies to both babies an adults. A box, a hooded litter pan, blankets etcā¦ Theyāre shy, in caged captivity or free roaming they need a secure place to hide in all situations.
#11 Do not let people āscratch their necksā, they are not puppies and any grabbing around the neck is where a predator would grab them. (See #3)
#12 No matter the situation, opossums like to be clean. They like their bedding and space clean. In the wild, if allowed, they will choose to be clean rather than dirty.Ā
Life is very cruel to them in the wild. So show as much compassion and gentle handling as you can.
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