Opossums

[Brendan]

Hey. I expressed interest in getting an opossum as a pet (eventually), but the only kind I've seen for sale are the short-tailed opossums. Thing is, the short-tail opossums look like rats, and I hate rats.

I saw this other type of opossum and it definitely doesn't look like a rat and is much cuter!

Below are two videos (not mine) of a opossum. Can anybody identify what type of species the opossum is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3mvzs_60EE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wyd8k6_qOnY

And then, here below is a video of a short tailed opossum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWGTBKkK9Fs

 

[Tleilaxu]

That is a Virginia possum. You will need to catch one with a live trap. Preferable a mom with babies and if the babies have there eyes open take one and raise it your self. These are not sold.

 

[kitty_b]

just so you know, i believe most (if not all) states have regulations on the keeping of native wildlife.

 

[Tleilaxu]

just so you know, i believe most (if not all) states have regulations on the keeping of native wildlife.

There not native here LOL

 

[Brendan]

That is a Virginia possum. You will need to catch one with a live trap. Preferable a mom with babies and if the babies have there eyes open take one and raise it your self. These are not sold.

Oh...so the only way to obtain them is by catching one?

 

[Ted]

just dont put them under a red light bulb.

 

[kitty_b]

There not native here LOL

true, but they may be where Brendan is ;P

 

[Tleilaxu]

Oh...so the only way to obtain them is by catching one?

Correct. Thaey are not popular pets.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Around here they are also pretty easy to obtain by scraping them off the highway.

They are ridiculously easy to catch, in my experience. Just run up to them and grab their tail, taking a bit of care to stay away from their business end. Of course, an adult opossum caught in this manner would make a poor pet. Also, it isn't really advisable to just scoop up any wild mammal you see. Every time I have caught one in that manner it was an attempt to witness the "playing dead" behaviour. Never has one displayed that action for me, though. If it wasn't so well-documented, I'd say it was a myth. I guess our possums just have really strong constitutions and are resistant to getting the vapours!

 

[Frédérick]

i don,t know if i can get wild caught possums in my area, but these look sooo nice! I DEFINITELY want to have one haha

 

[UrbanJungles]

Strictly Reptiles in Hollywood, Fl is currently selling them for 75 bucks for babies.