Pet Opossum
anyone ever see a pet possum?
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No! That's one ugly pet. I've had bowel movements I could love more than one of those overgrown rats. 0 -
Everything on earth has its purpose. Opossums are(in my opinion as usual), mammalian versions of vultures and buzzards. They help clean up the earth. They stink when living in the wild because they've been doing their job. When living in captivity, they don't smell bad at all.
When I was a growing up, I raised several, and they were entirely friendly. Groundhogs also do well living with people, as do squirrels. I wasn't so lucky with cotton tail rabbits. I couldn't get them to eat or accept me as part of their environment.0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
Lots of ignorant prejudice here.They may be cute, but are seriously nasty. They'll eat just about anything that sits still long enough, no matter how long it's been sitting there. I've seen lots of 'em camped out inside rotting dead cattle and eating their way out. They aren't aggressive at all, but do carry around some bad stuff.
About the only thing they won't eat is a dead buzzard, but then again even a buzzard won't do that.[:D]
IMHO, the only redeeming feature is their good quality fur, but skinning the greasy b'stards is a pain.0 -
People I know in Florida caught this one under their house,they claimed it weighed thirty five pounds.Was released about five miles from their home.[8D] 0 -
I just skinned one this morning, it was in one of my racoon sets. Don't bring much money but I need the practice skinning. Always gave the animals to a buddy and he took care of them, so I thought it was time to do it myself. My father said growing up is father made him skin the possum for practice, and my father is getting back into the trapping. I never really trapped always just shot them when I would see them, but he and I are doing it together. 0 -
so I was at the Vet clinic on Wed and this lady in a fur coat walks in with a pet carrier, now this lady looked like the wife of a millionaire, but out of the pet carrier comes the cutest Opossum I ever did see, wearing a lovely green sweater. He was very friendly too, and totally tame and looked very well-fed.
my only other experience with them critters is when my dog peek-a-boo tree'd one once and the possum just hissed and showed it's little dagger-like teeth (I mean needle like teath), I dragged the dog in the other direction. and made it a point to avoid possums. Still good advice even if they are harmless, they seem very mean when cornered.
I heard that most wild animals will "imprint" on humans (and make good pets) if they are hand fed babies.0 -
Most wild animals do not in fact make good pets. While they may be cute and/or cuddly as juveniles, most become much less reliable, even aggressive upon reaching sexual maturity. Opossums often stay tame, Raccoons almost never do, skunks do sometimes.
Remember, dogs and cats have been domesticated and selectively bred for between 10,000 and 100,000 years for dogs, and 9,500 years or more for cats.
People are bitten every day by dogs and cats.0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
Most wild animals do not in fact make good pets. While they may be cute and/or cuddly as juveniles, most become much less reliable, even aggressive upon reaching sexual maturity. Opossums often stay tame, Raccoons almost never do, skunks do sometimes.
Remember, dogs and cats have been domesticated and selectively bred for between 10,000 and 100,000 years for dogs, and 9,500 years or more for cats.
People are bitten every day by dogs and cats.
The sexual agressiveness is cured by having the animal fixed. I have had to do it several times with coons that had been hurt and needed extended rehab.
I have never had to fix an opossum and never had one, that I was rehabing, be agressive to me in any manner.
They are God's creatures and still deserve our respect. Like with any other type of hunting.. if someone is going to eat it, mount it, save your family and/or pets, or to save other game then fine. If they are just killing to kill then that is not right.0 -
sexual agressiveness is cured by having the animal fixed./quote]
Gagirl, I can't say I am much interested in taking your "cure".
RE: what you have posted on this thread, see my original post.0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog sexual agressiveness is cured by having the animal fixed./quote]
Gagirl, I can't say I am much interested in taking your "cure".
RE: what you have posted on this thread, see my original post.
Hedog... that was for the people here that obviously dont know anything about the animal. I knew from what you wrote that you had at least some (I have no idea how much) knowledge of the animal.0 -
He Dog, exactly right about the sexual maturity. The squirrels and groundhogs I've raised have been cute and funny until they are ready to go "bugalooing," then it's time to tell them goodbye. 0 -
Yep, squirrels are pretty high strung in my experience, but I have raised only a few. Fox squirrels seem a bit calmer than grays, but readier to nip. Once went bird watching in a place where there were both species on the same acreage. I ended up spending my time watching squirrels.
Gagirl, my primary experience is working with amphibians and reptiles, managing large collections. About 35 years worth. Kept tropical fish for 40 years, and have extensive experience with a varied array of birds and mammals, including opossums and some other marsupials. Also a monotreme or two.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mrseatle
...and the possum just hissed and showed it's little dagger-like teeth (I mean needle like teath).If I'm not mistaken, the 'possum holds the record for the greatest number of teeth of all mammals. They have around fifty.
It's mostly a bluff, but an impressive sight to see one hiss and throw it's mouth open.0 -
My little fellers name is "W."
He's OK for the most part...0 -
ROUSS? what was it from the "Princess Bride"
Reminds me on my friend that was checking a dead cow. Kicked it like you would a tire and a possum squeezed out its ass.
pet, no thanks[:D]0 -
[:0] 0 -
I came home last night, and there was a possum in the garage. Dawnie called me before I got home and told me about it. We keep the door open enough for the outside cats to get in and out, so I reckon the possum was seeking a handout, looking to get out of the weather, or both.
I found the possum, and grabbed it up by the tail. The tail is a great handle, and they are designed to hang from it, so it doesn't hurt them. Dawnie was amazed that it was so easy to handle. It didn't "sull" when I picked it up, so with my other hand, I grabbed it by the nape of its neck and held it up for her to see better. Now it opened its mouth and displayed all its teeth.
I took it outside and turned it loose. It shuffled away on high speed, which is pretty slow.0 -
My parents have one as a "pet." It comes up to the house and eats with the cats and dog. They don't bother it, and my dad named it Pogo. He doesn't harm anything. My mom wanted me to shoot it. I asked her why and she said, "It's staring at me." I told her she needed a better reason. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
My little fellers name is "W."
He's OK for the most part...Looks like George Jones after a bad night.0 -
Nothing ticks me off more than to have the dogs tree a mile away, climb up the dang mountian to get to them, shine the light up the tree and there sits one of them disgusting critters. 0
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