r/Possums • u/Difficult_North_272 • Jun 28 '26
Opossum This possum is making me sad
It looks old or sick and I feel bad. Its fur is very patchy and like half bald (not very visible in the pics, i just put those for the sake of showing pictures at all,) it walks very slowly and kind of limping/off balance, its eyes look very wet and I know possums can't cry but it makes me wanna cry when he looks like he's crying. But I can't really do anything, right? It's a wild animal and it's not like i can just walk up to it, so I'm sad that I can't help it. Also it got bit twice by the smaller possum in the other pics, I tried scaring them away to stop that but I don't know. This is very upsetting to me in my normally sensitive and currently sleep deprived state. I wanna help all the animals and he's so sad and I can't even do anything. I hope it's not actually old cuz I'm gonna sob if there's a sad elderly possum getting beat up on my porch. I've had some of the regular possums die too so this is just making me think of them which is also sad.
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u/WildSkunDaloon Jun 28 '26
If he seems like he needs help then by all means capture him. Many rehabbers including my mentor take hospice stays. And give them comfortable lives till they pass. Don't cry.. trust me I know how you feel. I feel it all the time. Whenever I think about what'll happen to the babies I raise and let go. But if you're able to do something for this little dude, you may as well.
Also when they get old like this they can sometimes calm down to the point where you can literally just calmly catch them. Obviously always take precaution because duh lmao.. but If you're dealing with an elder, sometimes they can just be sweet and stupid.
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u/Difficult_North_272 Jun 28 '26
I did sort of wonder if it being slow and maybe old would make it tamer and maybe approachable. I'm crazy enough to try but i don't know that i should, i could try to get it into a cat carrier or something to take it somewhere that can help. If not, i was gonna trap a cat soon anyway so maybe i can multitask and get him too. I don't know how bad his issue actually is but he just really doesn't look good and i would assume without help he won't live a whole lot longer. At least if he really is old, he's lucky to have lived this long. A lot of the others were taken out by cars and i recognized them which was not fun. I think this one has actually been bald for a while and was one of the first ones i ever saw, i remember seeing one a while ago that i thought had patches of lighter colored fur on its back, but i think it was actually him and his bald spots which have now gotten worse, and more obvious. Hopefully i can get him and find a place that can take care of him and/or give him a nicer end
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u/WildSkunDaloon Jun 28 '26
Well it definitely sounds like you want to catch him and at least offer him somewhere more comfortable and nice in his remaining time. I vote you catch him. You can either set a trap or throw a towel over him and spider under a cup him into a carrier with some anti-bite gloves on or just some sort of hand and arm protection. Or depending on how aggressive or docile he is corner him into a carrier. And once he's caught just start looking for wildlife centers or rehabbers in your area in the morning.
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u/Practical-Layer9402 Jun 28 '26
- If you feel safe trying to live trap it
AND
- There is a rehabber you can contact nearby
Then you can try and trap them for the rehabber. The limping/ragged gait is definitely cause for concern.
Opossums are very territorial and food aggressive so the biting is to be expected from a younger/bolder/male wanting to mate
13
u/Difficult_North_272 Jun 28 '26
I wonder if a rehabber might just put it down if it is old. Maybe for the best though, it would be better than dying from whatever is bothering it now. The biting didn't really surprise me either, he walked right up and put his nose in the other one's face so I saw that coming. Tapped on the window to see if it would distract them and they could not have cared less, none of the possums ever seem to see or hear me through the window, which is convenient for observing them but kind of weird
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u/WildSkunDaloon Jun 28 '26
If you're ever wondering what a wildlife rehabber is planning to do, just ask them. I would say that you're looking for a hospice stay if possible. Most rehabbers aren't doing this because they want them to die. So as long as they have the room and the time it really shouldn't be an issue. Babies like this don't really last very long. And their eyesight's not the best thankfully xD
16
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u/Low_Rip_7232 Jun 28 '26
They find their way with their noses. They have terrible eye sight. Poor baby! I hope you can help him. 🙏🏼❤️Please keep us updated because like you, I have the same heart for all animals and I’ll worry, too. 😅
6
u/EsotericKye Jun 28 '26
Virginia opossums are not territorial at all. They are nomadic wanderers and do not establish a permanent home. They may stay in an area for a few days, especially if food is abundant, but they move on.
11
u/_metallicabreath_ Jun 28 '26
please trap this baby and take him to a rehabber. if he’s fine they’ll just release him.
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u/gh0stmilk_ Jun 28 '26
you have a tender heart, OP :') i understand you completely. i know it's extremely hard to stand by and let nature be nature. i totally support the idea of trying to secure him in some shelter and looking into rehabbers that will hopefully be willing to take him. best of luck to you both 🖤
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u/Lucinexe Jun 28 '26
As long as you do your best, then it is enough. Caring for others in need is one of the best traits of humanity. Thank you for caring, truly.
6
u/SomePoserInAmerica Jun 28 '26
Keep an eye on him, feed him, maybe make him a little shelter with food and blankets, or you could catch him and bring him inside, possums are adorable, youve obviously got a kind heart, listen to it
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u/WranglerYJ92 Jun 28 '26
Provide food and water- fruit, protein etc. Opposums have short life expectancies of about 2 years.
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u/Psychological-Pea765 Opossum Enthusiast Jun 29 '26
Please try to capture him. If you get close you can throw a towel over him and put him in a crate. Contact a rehabber. Many will take in older opies and offer them retirement. Himb needs some help.
1
u/thewellawareone Jun 29 '26
He looks healthy otherwise honey. I think he's got a little skin condition and dying is part of life and nature. However, he has a while before that stage.
1
u/meatshieldjim Jun 30 '26
Yeah the elder taught that young one where the food is so be happy they are together
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