Is it legal to have a possum as a pet?

Is it legal to have a possum as a pet?

Opossums are not native to California. It’s a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets.

Why can’t you own a pet possum?

Opossums may carry pathogens that can cause human diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.

Is it ethical to have a pet possum?

Ethically, you are imprisoning him. He is not domestic, he is a wild animal. His pleasant nature may make him appear to be satisfied, but the constant stress of captivity takes its toll in the form of immune suppression, and makes them susceptible to several bacterial diseases, and things can go very bad very quickly.

Can you keep a baby possum as a pet?

Question: Can I keep an opossum as a pet? Answer: No. All wild animals belong in the wild. Give the opossum the chance to live the life nature intended…in the wild.

Can I buy an opossum?

You may be able to own a pet opossum in Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota with a permit. In Missouri, you can keep an opossum as a pet, but the Virginia Opossum is considered a large carnivore, so large carnivore permitting is needed.

How long do pet possums live?

between 3-4 years
Captive opossums normally live between 3-4 years, however up to 8-10 years has been described.

How do possums show affection?

“They do something we call ‘sliming,’ which is where they’ll lick your skin and rub their head against you. It’s a sign of affection, but it’s an experience when, in the middle of the night, you’re awakened by a big opossum licking your face.”

How do I own an opossum?

To keep a captive opossum legally, you need a wildlife rehabilitation permit from your state. Depending on where you live, you might need to volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator, take a training class or pass a written exam to get the permit. Once they’re healthy, rehabilitated possums always should be released.

How do you bond with a possum?

Let your pet rest its feet in the crook of your arm so that it can feel safe and properly supported. Allow your pet opossum to sit in your lap and eventually crawl onto your shoulders and arms, which is its nature. Once you have gotten to this point, you will truly have a tame pet opossum.

Can I keep a baby possum?

People sometimes find orphaned possums and consider raising these cute animals as pets. It’s illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once they’re old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released.

What diseases do opossums carry?

Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.

What does TB look like in possums?

In the late stage of the disease they may have large abscesses and lesions, like this one on a possum’s neck. Large amounts of TB bacteria are present in the lesions, and sick animals should not be touched.

Does Possum taste good?

The Opossums have been living on the delicacies of the season, and are now in fine order, and some are found excessively fat; a double enjoyment is anticipated, the fun of catching and the pleasure of eating this excellent substitute for roast pig.

What percentage of possums have TB?

about 2%
TB-infected possums Although on average only about 2% of possums actually have TB, there are pockets where the numbers infected may be up to 40%. Infected possums were present in about 38% of the country (10 million hectares) by 2003.

If you choose to have a possum as a pet, take a look at the legal guidelines within your country before getting a possum. In some states, you need a permit, while in a few locations owning exotic animals is forbidden. Short-tailed possums are from Brazil and function like a rat. Their coat is grey-brown.

Can you keep an abandoned opossum?

In many cases, wildlife permits are required to have a wild animal reside in your home and these permits may only be issued for rehabilitation purposes. In which case, if you find a young abandoned opossum, you may be allowed to keep it until it’s healthy enough to survive on its own.

Can you turn an opossum into a pet?

After some time, it’s certainly possible for an opossum to convert into a pet. It’s reasonable to expect that you’d need to place them into a cage for much of their life. While they don’t need an overwhelming amount of space, larger cages will be beneficial to their physical and mental health.

What do opossums look like as pets?

They have long snouts and small, sharp teeth. They are marsupials with prehensile tails, making them very good climbers. This is something important when considering opossums as pets as pet opossums will want to climb over everything in your home.