Heres an interesting question, is it possible to convert an opossum into a household pet? 4 Do Possums sleep in the same place every day? 1 How long does a possum live in captivity? Domestication should not be confused with taming. In captivity, the oldest recorded opossum was four years and five months old. Life Expectancy. You will need to provide supplemented nutrition, such as calcium and other supplements. This wild creature has a unique appearance, and most of us enjoy watching marsupials, at a safe distance. Now that we have a better understanding of this tick-hungry marsupial, lets learn all about the opossum lifespan. Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) longevity, ageing, and life history They have a very good sense of smell to find food at night, since they are nocturnal. You can tell how old a juvenile opossum is by observing its eyes. You may want to know whether or not this creepy wildlife creature may attack you. 1 0. They generally live for about 2 - 4 years. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year. They are considered to be nocturnal animals. The most significant risk to the life of an opossum is humans. The opossum uses scent and auditory signals to communicate with their joeys, mates, and potential aggressors. The opossum is one of the most popular marsupials in the world. Taurine and other supplements such as calcium are important for opossums. A female may give birth to up to 25 young in one litter, although often only around . Most of them, sadly, don't even survive their first year, let alone die of old age. These soft nesting materials make the den a dry place to live. Lets see in detail as to how long do possums live for. Opossums have a hard time in the winter. It contains more teeth than any other mammal in North America. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Even venomous snakes are on the menu! An Opossum's Lifespan - How Old Do Opossums Get? - Floofmania At first, the baby opossum weighs less than a gram. Males can find receptive females by scent. He spends most of his day sleeping in the trees, rock crevices, abandoned burrows, etc., and goes out at night to find food. It may even work on humans who will avoid combatting the opossum. Housing. An opossum certainly can thrive as a pet. A K. 25/02/2022. Opossums, being nocturnal, sleep the day away just about anyplace except in a Dogloo with an African spurred tortoise. Though it is a common misconception that they hang from their tails, they only use their tails to grab and carry things as well as to balance; they don't hang. If you want to know more about why opossums play dead? Opossums are classified in the following way: It is interesting to note that while the order Didelphimorphia has only one family, there are more than sixty species within that family. Even though many people find them unattractive to look at, opossums are actually quite a misunderstood critter with a helpful purpose. Opossums in captivity often live longer than wild opossums. Opossums prefer to sleep alone. On the other hand, females have an easier time hiding because of their small size, which allows them to squeeze into tight places. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. As they grow and the pouch becomes full, the juveniles then ride on the mother's back until they are old enough to go out on their own. If you have ever seen an opossum, you know that it is very recognizable. Female and male opossums are at the will of their elements and the predators around them. Finally, competition for food and resources can also play a role in the short lifespan of possums. In the wild, they survive for only 1 or 2 years. People often find them in backyards, crossing the neighborhood street, or even in the garage. This can make well-meaning humans feel compelled to put them out of their misery unnecessarily. While females can go unnoticed, the male stands out and gets eaten by predators. A kit will generally open its eyes when it is 55 to 70 days old. Size: 0.13 to 0.20 grams (about the size of a honeybee), Length: About 2.5 feet (76 centimeters) nose to tail, Weight: 8.8 to 13.2 pounds (4 to 6 kilograms). The average opossum only lives to be 1-2 years old. 2 to 4 years. There are over 100 different opossum species, ranging in size from the pocket-sized pygmy opossum to the domestic cat-sized Virginia opossum. They use tree openings to build nests or use woodpiles and burrows from other animals. This keeps our pets happy and healthy. Their fresh droppings are brown in color. between 3-4 years Normal physiologic data. She specializes in math, science, gifted and talented, and special education. Overall, the short lifespan of possums in the wild is due to a combination of factors, including predation by other animals, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and competition for food and resources. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Piggyback. To evade these predators, an opossum will often play dead. They may build their nest in your chimney, crawl space, and attic when looking for a den site in your house. They arent afraid of humans and dont react from the shine of a flashlight. The opossum grows to about the size of a large cat, with an adult weighing around 4-6 kgs (8.8-13.2 lbs) and usually about 76 cm (2.5 feet76 centimeters) in length. For an opossum, this is typically known as playing possum. Playing possum is a colloquialism for the opossums involuntary reaction to playing dead when they feel threatened. Camel Worse yet, sometimes the opossum will become lame as it grows, which is likely due to a diet-induced disorder called metabolic bone disease, or rickets. As we have mentioned, They need a proper source of food and water. Let us consider the similarities and differences. Its fur is more or less dark gray all over its body, except for the face and the throat, which are white in color, and its pink nose. The lifespan of an opossum is relatively short for a mammal of its size. Habitat of the opossumThey prefer the woody habitats; most opossums live in the deciduous forests that shed their leaves. Its legal to own a pet opossum as long as you have the appropriate regional permits to do so. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year of life.