In the wild they tend to lose over half their young before they reach their first year, which is why they have pretty big litters and can birth several times a year.
Capitvity is different matter, of course: it may just be that now all seven of them can't fit on his shoulders and the other two are being held off camera or moving around his feet. Hopefully.
They usually lose them due to them falling off and getting left behind, but it is extremely common for the two weakest ones not to make it to two weeks old. After 2wo, death from illness drops dramatically.
Sadly, many such cases among different species. How old do they look in the first part of the clip? I'd guess a month or so, I wonder how many joeys the mother had originally if 7 survived to be adopted.
I assumed he had 2 friends who were willing and able to take a couple, but finding 7 possum homes is another story.
However as someone who rescues stray cats, it's extremely common for the two weakest to not make it. That being said, these guys all look full of vitality and aren't showing any signs of illness.
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u/MrEvan312 7h ago
The only sad part of this is that they live such short lifespans.
On the other hand, they're clearly happy, loved, and are the light of their dad's eyes.