About Opossums

Opossums are our only marsupial (pouched mammal). Females may have two litters a year and out of a possible 16 born only 5 – 8 may survive. Babies are born blind, hairless and are the size of bumblebees at birth and will stay in the pouch until they are 2-3 months old; the mother will then carry them on her back for another month or so. When they are around 4 months of age and approximately 7-9 inches long from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, they will start to walk around and explore on their own. Very few of these babies will live to see adulthood due to predators. Opossums are the nomad of the wild world, always on the move. Females may stay in a smaller area while she cares for her young. Opossums are nocturnal (active at night) and unfortunately are frequently hit by cars. If you see an opossum that has been hit and there are babies in the road, retrieve the babies and wrap them in a ravel free piece of cotton or flannel. Set up a box or carrier with hot water bottles and additional fabric and call a Rehabilitator. Sometimes a dead female will have live babies in her pouch. If you suspect that this is the case, bring the mother to the rehabilitator. Do not attempt to remove the babies if they are hairless.

If you find an injured adult, be very cautious, Opossum have 50 sharp teeth and will bite although will usually hiss, growl, show their teeth or play dead. Call your local animal control officer for assistance.