While opossums aren't typically aggressive animals, understanding their lifecycle, behavior, and the proper way to handle encounters with baby opossums is essential for both human and animal safety. This comprehensive guide will help you identify baby opossums, understand their development, and know when professional wildlife management assistance is necessary.
Understanding Opossum Reproduction and Lifecycle
Opossums have a unique reproductive system that differs significantly from most other mammals in North America. In fact, opossums are North America's only marsupial, meaning they carry their young in a pouch similar to kangaroos.
Breeding Season and Birth
Opossums typically breed twice per year in our region. The first breeding season occurs in late winter to early spring, usually between January and March, with a second breeding period in late spring to early summer. After a remarkably short gestation period of only 12 to 13 days, the female gives birth to a litter that can range from as few as one to as many as twenty babies, though the average litter contains about seven to eight young.
At birth, baby opossums are incredibly underdeveloped. They're about the size of a honeybee—roughly half an inch long—and weigh less than a gram. These tiny, hairless, blind creatures must immediately crawl from the birth canal into their mother's pouch, where they attach to a teat to continue their development.
Development Stages of Baby Opossums
Understanding the various development stages helps you determine the age and vulnerability of any opossums you encounter.
Stage 1: Newborn to 2 Months (In the Pouch)
During this critical phase, baby opossums remain firmly attached to their mother's teat inside her pouch. They're completely dependent on her for warmth, nutrition, and protection. The babies are hairless, blind, and unable to regulate their own body temperature.
Stage 2: 2 to 3 Months (Beginning to Emerge)
Around 55 to 70 days after birth, baby opossums begin opening their eyes and developing fur. They start to detach from the teat and may venture to the opening of the pouch. At this stage, they're about the size of a small mouse.
Stage 3: 3 to 4 Months (Riding on Mother's Back)
Once baby opossums leave the pouch permanently, usually around 70 to 85 days old, they climb onto their mother's back. This is when most people encounter baby opossums, as the mother may be seen carrying multiple babies on her back as she forages for food at night.
Stage 4: 4 to 5 Months (Independence)
By the time baby opossums reach 4 to 5 months old, they're roughly the size of a small rat and are ready to venture out on their own. The mother will actively encourage independence at this stage, and the young opossums will disperse to establish their own territories.
What to Do If You Find an Orphaned Baby Opossum
If you've determined that a baby opossum truly needs help, proper handling is crucial for both your safety and the animal's wellbeing.
Immediate Steps
- Ensure your safety first: Wear gloves when handling any wildlife. Even baby opossums can bite if frightened.
- Keep the baby warm: Baby opossums cannot regulate their body temperature effectively. Place the baby in a small box with soft cloths. You can place a heating pad set on low under half of the container, or use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel.
- Do not feed the baby: Well-meaning attempts to feed orphaned wildlife often cause more harm than good. Baby opossums have specific dietary needs, and improper feeding can lead to serious problems.
- Minimize handling and noise: Keep the baby in a quiet, dark location away from pets and children. Excessive handling causes stress.
- Contact a professional immediately: Baby opossums need specialized care to survive. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
Finding Professional Help
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the knowledge, equipment, and legal permits necessary to care for orphaned or injured wildlife. In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, you can find licensed rehabilitators through:
- Your state's wildlife resources commission or department of natural resources
- Local animal control agencies
- Veterinary clinics that may have contacts with rehabilitators
- Wildlife rehabilitation organizations
At Rid-A-Bug, we provide humane wildlife removal services and can connect you with appropriate resources for wildlife in need of rehabilitation.
Preventing Opossum Problems on Your Property
While opossums are generally beneficial animals that help control tick and insect populations, their presence isn't always welcome, especially when they nest in homes or outbuildings.
Exclusion and Prevention Methods
Secure potential den sites:
- Seal openings in foundations, siding, and rooflines
- Install covers over chimney openings
- Secure crawl space vents with hardware cloth
- Block access under decks and porches with fencing buried several inches into the ground
Eliminate food sources:
- Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids
- Don't leave pet food outside overnight
- Pick up fallen fruit from trees
- Clean up outdoor eating areas promptly
Remove shelter opportunities:
- Clear brush piles and debris from your property
- Trim vegetation away from your home's foundation
- Keep firewood stacked away from structures
- Maintain your yard to reduce hiding spots
Outdoor lighting:
- Use motion-activated lights in areas where opossums are active
- Opossums prefer darkness and may avoid well-lit areas
When to Call Professional Wildlife Management
While opossums are generally harmless, certain situations warrant professional wildlife management assistance:
- Opossums have nested inside your home, attic, or crawl space
- You're unable to safely exclude opossums from your property
- Opossums are repeatedly returning despite prevention efforts
- You need assistance securing entry points to prevent future wildlife issues
- Multiple wildlife species are creating problems simultaneously
Professional wildlife management services provide humane removal while ensuring that entry points are properly sealed to prevent future problems. At Rid-A-Bug, our staff includes a North Carolina Wildlife Damage Control Agent, and we emphasize humane wildlife removal techniques.
If you want to learn more about why pests are attracted to your house, check out our blog post on the subject here.
Understanding Opossum Behavior and Benefits
Before deciding how to handle opossums on your property, it's worth understanding the benefits these often-misunderstood animals provide.
Ecological Benefits of Opossums
Tick control: Opossums are exceptionally effective at controlling tick populations. A single opossum can consume thousands of ticks in a season, helping reduce the prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in your area.
Pest consumption: Opossums eat a variety of pests including cockroaches, beetles, crickets, snails, and other insects. They also consume mice, rats, and other small rodents, providing natural pest control.
Carrion cleanup: Opossums help clean up dead animals, reducing disease spread and unpleasant odors in your neighborhood.
Garden pest control: They eat snails, slugs, and insects that damage gardens, making them allies for gardeners despite their somewhat intimidating appearance.
Opossum Myths and Facts
Myth: Opossums are aggressive and dangerous.
Fact: Opossums are actually quite docile and prefer to avoid confrontation. Their most famous defensive behavior—"playing possum"—is an involuntary response to extreme fear where they fall into a catatonic state.
Myth: Opossums carry rabies.
Fact: Opossums have a lower body temperature than most mammals, making them highly resistant to rabies. Cases of rabid opossums are extremely rare compared to other wildlife species.
Myth: Opossums are dirty animals that spread disease.
Fact: Opossums are actually quite clean and groom themselves frequently, similar to cats. While they can carry certain parasites, they're no more likely to spread disease than many other wild animals.
Read more about the pros and cons of eco-friendly pest control here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discovering baby opossums on your property can be both fascinating and concerning for homeowners across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. These small, unusual-looking creatures often raise questions about their care, safety, and what to do when you encounter them. At Rid-A-Bug, we've been providing humane wildlife removal services since 1972, and we understand the unique challenges that opossums present to property owners.
While opossums aren't typically aggressive animals, understanding their lifecycle, behavior, and the proper way to handle encounters with baby opossums is essential for both human and animal safety. This comprehensive guide will help you identify baby opossums, understand their development, and know when professional wildlife management assistance is necessary.
Understanding Opossum Reproduction and Lifecycle
Opossums have a unique reproductive system that differs significantly from most other mammals in North America. In fact, opossums are North America's only marsupial, meaning they carry their young in a pouch similar to kangaroos.
Breeding Season and Birth
Opossums typically breed twice per year in our region. The first breeding season occurs in late winter to early spring, usually between January and March, with a second breeding period in late spring to early summer. After a remarkably short gestation period of only 12 to 13 days, the female gives birth to a litter that can range from as few as one to as many as twenty babies, though the average litter contains about seven to eight young.
At birth, baby opossums are incredibly underdeveloped. They're about the size of a honeybee—roughly half an inch long—and weigh less than a gram. These tiny, hairless, blind creatures must immediately crawl from the birth canal into their mother's pouch, where they attach to a teat to continue their development.
Development Stages of Baby Opossums
Understanding the various development stages helps you determine the age and vulnerability of any opossums you encounter.
Stage 1: Newborn to 2 Months (In the Pouch)
During this critical phase, baby opossums remain firmly attached to their mother's teat inside her pouch. They're completely dependent on her for warmth, nutrition, and protection. The babies are hairless, blind, and unable to regulate their own body temperature.
Stage 2: 2 to 3 Months (Beginning to Emerge)
Around 55 to 70 days after birth, baby opossums begin opening their eyes and developing fur. They start to detach from the teat and may venture to the opening of the pouch. At this stage, they're about the size of a small mouse.
Stage 3: 3 to 4 Months (Riding on Mother's Back)
Once baby opossums leave the pouch permanently, usually around 70 to 85 days old, they climb onto their mother's back. This is when most people encounter baby opossums, as the mother may be seen carrying multiple babies on her back as she forages for food at night.
Stage 4: 4 to 5 Months (Independence)
By the time baby opossums reach 4 to 5 months old, they're roughly the size of a small rat and are ready to venture out on their own. The mother will actively encourage independence at this stage, and the young opossums will disperse to establish their own territories.
What to Do If You Find an Orphaned Baby Opossum
If you've determined that a baby opossum truly needs help, proper handling is crucial for both your safety and the animal's wellbeing.
Immediate Steps
- Ensure your safety first: Wear gloves when handling any wildlife. Even baby opossums can bite if frightened.
- Keep the baby warm: Baby opossums cannot regulate their body temperature effectively. Place the baby in a small box with soft cloths. You can place a heating pad set on low under half of the container, or use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel.
- Do not feed the baby: Well-meaning attempts to feed orphaned wildlife often cause more harm than good. Baby opossums have specific dietary needs, and improper feeding can lead to serious problems.
- Minimize handling and noise: Keep the baby in a quiet, dark location away from pets and children. Excessive handling causes stress.
- Contact a professional immediately: Baby opossums need specialized care to survive. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
Finding Professional Help
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the knowledge, equipment, and legal permits necessary to care for orphaned or injured wildlife. In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, you can find licensed rehabilitators through:
- Your state's wildlife resources commission or department of natural resources
- Local animal control agencies
- Veterinary clinics that may have contacts with rehabilitators
- Wildlife rehabilitation organizations
At Rid-A-Bug, we provide humane wildlife removal services and can connect you with appropriate resources for wildlife in need of rehabilitation.
Preventing Opossum Problems on Your Property
While opossums are generally beneficial animals that help control tick and insect populations, their presence isn't always welcome, especially when they nest in homes or outbuildings.
Exclusion and Prevention Methods
Secure potential den sites:
- Seal openings in foundations, siding, and rooflines
- Install covers over chimney openings
- Secure crawl space vents with hardware cloth
- Block access under decks and porches with fencing buried several inches into the ground
Eliminate food sources:
- Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids
- Don't leave pet food outside overnight
- Pick up fallen fruit from trees
- Clean up outdoor eating areas promptly
Remove shelter opportunities:
- Clear brush piles and debris from your property
- Trim vegetation away from your home's foundation
- Keep firewood stacked away from structures
- Maintain your yard to reduce hiding spots
Outdoor lighting:
- Use motion-activated lights in areas where opossums are active
- Opossums prefer darkness and may avoid well-lit areas
When to Call Professional Wildlife Management
While opossums are generally harmless, certain situations warrant professional wildlife management assistance:
- Opossums have nested inside your home, attic, or crawl space
- You're unable to safely exclude opossums from your property
- Opossums are repeatedly returning despite prevention efforts
- You need assistance securing entry points to prevent future wildlife issues
- Multiple wildlife species are creating problems simultaneously
Professional wildlife management services provide humane removal while ensuring that entry points are properly sealed to prevent future problems. At Rid-A-Bug, our staff includes a North Carolina Wildlife Damage Control Agent, and we emphasize humane wildlife removal techniques.
If you want to learn more about why pests are attracted to your house, check out our blog post on the subject here.
Understanding Opossum Behavior and Benefits
Before deciding how to handle opossums on your property, it's worth understanding the benefits these often-misunderstood animals provide.
Ecological Benefits of Opossums
Tick control: Opossums are exceptionally effective at controlling tick populations. A single opossum can consume thousands of ticks in a season, helping reduce the prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in your area.
Pest consumption: Opossums eat a variety of pests including cockroaches, beetles, crickets, snails, and other insects. They also consume mice, rats, and other small rodents, providing natural pest control.
Carrion cleanup: Opossums help clean up dead animals, reducing disease spread and unpleasant odors in your neighborhood.
Garden pest control: They eat snails, slugs, and insects that damage gardens, making them allies for gardeners despite their somewhat intimidating appearance.
Opossum Myths and Facts
Myth: Opossums are aggressive and dangerous.
Fact: Opossums are actually quite docile and prefer to avoid confrontation. Their most famous defensive behavior—"playing possum"—is an involuntary response to extreme fear where they fall into a catatonic state.
Myth: Opossums carry rabies.
Fact: Opossums have a lower body temperature than most mammals, making them highly resistant to rabies. Cases of rabid opossums are extremely rare compared to other wildlife species.
Myth: Opossums are dirty animals that spread disease.
Fact: Opossums are actually quite clean and groom themselves frequently, similar to cats. While they can carry certain parasites, they're no more likely to spread disease than many other wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are opossums dangerous to humans or pets?
A: Opossums are generally docile animals and prefer to avoid confrontation with humans and pets. When threatened, they're more likely to "play possum" (fall into a catatonic state) than to attack. However, like any wild animal, they may bite if cornered or handled, so it's best to keep your distance and contact a professional wildlife management service if you encounter one in your home or property.
Q: Do opossums carry rabies?
A: Opossums have a remarkably low risk of carrying rabies compared to other wildlife species. Their body temperature is lower than most mammals, making them highly resistant to the rabies virus. Cases of rabid opossums are extremely rare, making them one of the safest wild animals in terms of rabies transmission.
Q: What diseases can opossums transmit to humans or pets?
A: While opossums have a low rabies risk, they can carry other parasites and diseases including leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and various external parasites like fleas and ticks. This is why it's important not to handle opossums directly and to contact professional wildlife removal services if they've taken up residence in or around your home.
Q: How can I tell if there's wildlife living in my attic or crawl space?
A: Common signs of wildlife in your home include scratching or scurrying sounds, especially at night when opossums are most active, unusual odors from waste or nesting materials, visible droppings, damage to insulation or wiring, and gaps or entry points around your roofline, vents, or foundation. If you notice any of these signs, contact a wildlife management professional for an inspection.
Q: Is it legal to trap and relocate opossums myself?
A: Wildlife relocation laws vary by state and locality. In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, there are specific regulations governing the trapping and relocation of wildlife. In many cases, permits are required, and improper relocation can harm the animal and potentially spread disease. It's best to contact a licensed wildlife control professional who understands local regulations and can ensure humane, legal removal.
Q: Will opossums leave on their own, or do I need professional removal?
A: Opossums are transient animals and may move on naturally after a few days, especially if they don't find a reliable food source. However, if they've nested in your home (particularly if a female has babies), they're unlikely to leave voluntarily. Professional wildlife removal ensures the animals are removed humanely and that entry points are properly sealed to prevent future intrusions.
Q: How do I keep opossums from returning after removal?
A: Prevention is key to avoiding repeat wildlife problems. This includes sealing all potential entry points with hardware cloth or other durable materials, securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, removing outdoor food sources (including pet food), eliminating standing water, clearing brush piles and debris, and maintaining your property to reduce hiding spots. A professional wildlife management service can conduct a thorough inspection and properly seal vulnerable areas.
Q: Are there humane ways to deter opossums from my property?
A: Yes, there are several humane deterrents including motion-activated lights or sprinklers in areas where opossums are active, securing all food sources, using ammonia-soaked rags near den sites (the smell is unpleasant to them), and installing fencing that extends several inches below ground around vulnerable areas. However, exclusion and prevention methods are most effective when combined with professional wildlife management services.
Conclusion
If you discover baby opossums in need of help, remember to prioritize both your safety and the animals' welfare. Contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators who can provide the specialized care these vulnerable creatures require. For situations where opossums have taken up residence in unwanted locations, professional wildlife management services can provide humane removal while addressing the underlying conditions that attracted them to your property.
At Rid-A-Bug, we've been providing humane wildlife removal services throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia since 1972. Our approach emphasizes ethical treatment of wildlife while protecting your home and family. Contact us today to learn more about our wildlife management services and how we can help resolve wildlife conflicts on your property.
Read more about the pros and cons of eco-friendly pest control here.