Should i release my non-releasable opossum?

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

I am having a lot of trouble deciding the right thing to do and could use input from others. I have an opossum, Dewey, who I have raised from a baby. He is a perfectly healthy boy, about a year old, but the thing that keeps him from being releasable is that he can't grip with his toes. They just don't curl in, so he can't hold food and he can't climb. He is very crafty though and can pull himself up onto anything within reach. He has been living in my apartment with me, but the past few months has become increasingly restless and wild. He paces, has become aggressive, and is very destructive. However, he still loves attention and being near people. I worry about his viability in the wild, but he seems so unhappy in captivity. Is releasing him the right thing to do? I can't make this decision alone and risk doing the wrong thing. Please, any input is welcome!

[Skul]

Bump for someone with possie experience.

[djarenspace9]

It definitely sounds like he is restless and may benefit from a larger habitat, but release sounds like sure death to me. They need to be able to grip to eat and to climb.

I'd suggest reaching out to any organization that may be able to offer lifetime care as an educational pet. It could be a zoo or a wildlife org. Where I live we have often gotten requests from the local zoo when they are seeking new NR's candidates for their educational outreach. Unfortunately possums don't have a long life span.

[Rhapsody]

Unfortunately possums don't have a long life span.Yes, sadly these cute little critters only live up to four years in captivity (2 yrs in the wild) - so I too would suggest a bigger habitat and a lot more time out side if your possum does not already get out side play time.

..... and there is always the 2nd avenue that Karen suggested of donating the possum to an educational wildlife program if you choose not to keep him any more.

Have you talked to any one that has one of these beautiful creatures as a pet already? - to maybe get some helpful advice from.

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

After raising Dewey, I had placed him with somewhere that could give him more room, but they took improper care of him and I had to take him back. I have never had the facilities to support a grown, able-bodied opossum, but I couldn't just let him die there. Unfortunately, thus means that providing larger quarters for him myself is not possible. I've also tried to secure another, better-equipped home for awhile now, but no one seems willing to help. We're just kind of trapped in this situation, which is completely unfair to him. It makes me so sad.

[djarenspace9]

One more suggestion is to contact the National Opossum Society.
They may have contacts in your area that can offer options.
I don't have the info onhand for them, but let me know if you need me to look it up.

[Rhapsody]

Me again....... I talked to a few of my possum friends that rehab possums or have possums as pets
nd this is what they had to say about your issue.


Person #1

Opossums never get restless like this.. like raccoons do... i would check him for an internal infection, or worms .. both of these can be causing irritation and restlessness ... Females get this way before they need the OVH done, but a male like this i can only think of infection or worms / parasites. He could also be agitated if he has not mated .. Zax would hump everything till he ejaculated.
I would have your friend get him in for MRI, and blood/urine tests, and fecal. Make sure his organs are okay..

Person #2

males tend to look for mates... They think of you as a mate. full moons drive them crazy... they love to grab your hair & bite as a mating habit... just lock in bathroom a day before till a day after full moons... Dont let them near your hair.. I know this all to well. Chase & Eddie were notorious for this.

Person #3
Get a physical to make sure there is no medical problem and if all checks out with the vet then we have to look at old Mother Nature and coming of age.....

Person #4
Some people buy the larger wheels for their opossums to run on to help burn off the extra energy that maybe be causing them to be restless.

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have tried to contact the national opossum society in the past with little success, but it would not hurt to try the again. Rhapsody, thank you so much for checking with your friends. I hadn't considered the mating aspect. Do let your one friend that I have actually experienced this with a few opossums in the past and the restlessness can be common. My opossums are just usually very crippled. I have to say, it is very difficult to type with 3 squirrels jumping all over me!

[pappy1264]

I can contact a licensed rehabber I know and see if she can take him in. I know she had a nr opposum before and has raised many. I can't say she will def. take him without speaking to her, but I can ask. Would you like me to? I am in MA, so you know.

[Rhapsody]

I hadn't considered the mating aspect.Yeah, a few other possum buddies chimed in later on and the average census seems to be pointing toward the thought that he is looking to mate, hence the change in his attitude....... hang in there and dont give in to his charming good looks and puppy dog eyes - lol. :D

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

Pappy, that would be wonderful, if you wouldnt mind. If your friend were able to take him, I would be willing to provide whatever is needed and drive him wherever. I am in CT, so MA is certainly doable. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, I just wanted you to know that I am willing to do whatever it takes to place him in a good home if there's one available. Thank you so much for checking into it!

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

Yeah, a few other possum buddies chimed in later on and the average census seems to be pointing toward the thought that he is looking to mate, hence the change in his attitude....... hang in there and dont give in to his charming good looks and puppy dog eyes - lol. :D

Haha I will try to resist! Too bad you're down in FL or I'd be hitting you up to help me find a home for him!

[Rhapsody]

Haha I will try to resist! Too bad you're down in FL or I'd be hitting you up to help me find a home for him!Hmm - You are in CT, let me see where all these possum people are located.... I will get back with you.

[pappy1264]

Ok, will put a call into her today and see if you can take this little one into her home. As I said, she had an nr that she loved, who passed away a few years ago (believe she was 4 yo or so at the time). and I know she is set up for possies (as well as coonies and squirrels). Will get back to you.

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

Thanks, you guys are the best! I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're helping me with this. I hate the idea of having to pass an animal off on someone else bc he's my responsibility, but as I mentioned, i have a smallish apartment that is really only enough space for crippled opossums that can't move around much, but i couldn't just leave him where he was to die. Thank you for looking into this for me, and especially for him!

[Chickenlegs]

There is a yahoo chat group for possum people. I'll check there. Absolutely sure your boy is lookin to fill up some lucky girls pouch. I have two boys with major Oedipus complexes. I love those boys but not "that" way. A wheel is a great thing for workin off hormones and a long walk helps too. I take mine to a fenced playground so they can roam around without a leash.

[CrazySquirrel/OpossumLady]

There is a yahoo chat group for possum people. I'll check there. Absolutely sure your boy is lookin to fill up some lucky girls pouch. I have two boys with major Oedipus complexes. I love those boys but not "that" way. A wheel is a great thing for workin off hormones and a long walk helps too. I take mine to a fenced playground so they can roam around without a leash.

Thanks for telling me about that Yahoo group. I didn't know it existed, but would probably be a great resource. I'll check it out myself. Yeah, I'm sure its hormones, and as its getting warmer, i should be able to get him out to the park at night.