Possie help please

[Delo729]

My neighbor brought me a baby possum. I don't know much about possies.

What do I feed him? tube fed?
How old is he?
Is he a he?

He's warm and hydrated and now I need to know what to feed this little buddy. He is amazingly cute. I have no problem raising him but would he do better being raised with other possie babies? Any and ALL help is appreciated.

I have pics but for some reason can't upload them.

[Nancy in New York]

I'm not sure about this but reach out to Chickenlegs and to farm mom, they may have raised possums before.
In the meantime, I hope this helps.


http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/001.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/001.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/002.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/002.jpg.html)


http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/003.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/003.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/004.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/004.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/005.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/005.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/006.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/006.jpg.html)

[Shewhosweptforest]

Hi Delo ....I have raised baby possies....I used the homemade goats milk formula...although I do believe fox valley sells a opossum formula. Later they need a specialized diet called Peter's Diet. As far as age it's hard to tell...because they stay in their momma's pouch for a long time...weight is a good indicator, the first babies I got were all in the 30 to 40 gram range...most opossum rehabbers recommend rehabbing 30 grams or larger...otherwise they are too young to survive. If this is a young one...fur is still short and close to the skin (not fluffy) you will need to put him/her on ABs for a week to 10 days...they have no natural antibodies....they get all their protection from momma's milk. You can tell if it's a boy or girl by looking at the belly...you will be able to see a faint circular outline on the girl's lower abdomen...her pouch :grin3

I will look for some pics to give you an idea on age :great They will litter train...I used dirt....they also will go in a latrine...just put a low sided container with water in it and they will go in that too.

[Delo729]

I forgot to mention that he is 60 grams.

[Shewhosweptforest]

That's a good size :great I went back and checked...I gave my guys amoxicillin and benebac for tummy protection :great here's a few pics when I first got them....Chickenlegs said they were about 7 weeks old

[Shewhosweptforest]

Sorry...I didn't tell you no to tube feeding at that size....they do drink different tho...they actually clamp down and suck...this is because they clamp onto their momma and stay :great Sometimes they struggle with the nipple....I had an easier time putting the nipple in from the side for the little ones who had trouble :great

[smurfangel182]

Im pretty sure my fv 32/40 bag says for squirrels and opossums.

[Chickenlegs]

Oh gosh! How did I miss POSSIES! You've already got the best advice. The National Opossum Society has a formula for teenies about this size. Now to find the possum book. Aaaak! Possums are solitary so no worries about onlies BUT a possum will become attached to you. They habituate and are the sweetest little buddies ever. Release into a possum friendly backyard and a possum becomes a regular. Once eyes are open you can offer a saucer. They catch on lapping from it pretty quickly.

[Delo729]

I've been using the formula recipe from WMB book. He/she goes potty and was drinking out of the shallow dish of water I put in there. Seemed interested in the veggies I put in the cage too. I can't really tell the gender of this possie anyone know how? I can't get pics to load

[pappy1264]

I raised five, they were around 35 grams I think (it was five years ago). I did tube and it was really easy. They were easy critters. Others are giving great advice already. I will see if I can find my post.

[farm mom]

I raised mine on Esbilac last year. As they got a little older I added some rice cereal. I put my guys in the round dish and they just circle and lap as the go round. Don't make the formula in the dish very deep. They are fun babies to raise and very easy.

[Chickenlegs]

Once he's drinking from a dish--feed him from a dish. They're smart critters. Put some mixed veggies--thawed to room temp and a little cooked to start on a plate. At first mash them a bit. He'll learn real quick to like veggies.

[Shewhosweptforest]

As I mentioned earlier....you can tell the females by a circular indention on their abdomen...it is raised a little in the middle...the boys will have a dark small circle on their abdomen....their testicles....higher up then you think :great

[Shewhosweptforest]

Here's some not so great pics of two girls and a boy...I hope it helps :grin3 :great

[Delo729]

Hi yall, I just wanted to thank yall again for all the help. I ended up giving Poncho to a rehabber in Clearwater who has something like 25 other possie babies. Wow!! :serene

[kcassidy]

I love possums! I always give them Clavamox on intake in case they were nursing on their dead mother.

There calcium ratio is critical to their well-being as future adults.

If you Google Peters recipe for possums you should find it.

But I've also had great success using the FV formula.

Once they are six weeks old I switch them to FV's possie specific formula.

Once they start eating solids I order baby rats, chickensa nd Guinea's.

It's kind of close to what they will find in the wild as well as feeding fruits vegetables and fish.

When you're at that stage we can help you with a more specific menu if necessary.

They love to sleep burrowed under their fleeces you're going to have so much fun please give us as many pictures as Possible

[Rhapsody]

I have a Possum Care Page on Facebook..... You can find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/Opossum-Care-468773769812948/

[Nancy in New York]

Hi yall, I just wanted to thank yall again for all the help. I ended up giving Poncho to a rehabber in Clearwater who has something like 25 other possie babies. Wow!! :serene

I think she found a rehabber to take this little one.