[Grainraiser]

This is timely thread. I just trapped two baby possums that were living under my deck. I would have let them be but they found a way into my sunroom and started using it as a bathroom. I was going to kill them at first but they looked so cute I just couldn't do it. I took them a couple of miles away from the house and released them. I then did a little research and found they make great pets. The one thing you have to do is feed them a diet of calcium. It seems they get a disease called MBD that causes there body to take calcium from there bones when there body lacks it. This can cause them to lose the ability to use the limb. I must say they were some cute little fellows and could have made someone some great pets.

[mb64282]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Mb6 maybe you should have read the rest of the thread and your question would have been answered.

Southern Belle as for biting see my post about when they hiss and say "I am going to bite you" lol

mmm I'm guessing u are referring to what you personally said about their body temp. Which is funny b/c that's what inspired my question, haha, and then your hospitable response. Even if a temperature is too cold for survival of a virus, it can live on the surface 'for the amount of time it is dying' that's why I said 'I wonder how long the rabies virus could live on the animals nails if this is even a plausible scenario

[ocean2026]

Answer- There are very few rabies cases ever even linked to possums. You have a much much greater chance of being hit by a car and killed on the way to the library to read about it- literally.

On the link with the possum taking a bath- check the author she currently has pet possums and plenty of videos including proof that they can be housebroken.

[Grainraiser]

Youtube has plenty of pet possum video's. They also have pet raccoons and skunks.

[ferretkona]

We were in the jacuzzi a hour ago, we both seen the small furtive movement. Got a flashlight and looked, yup small baby possum looking for food.
I had to lay our trashcan on it's side Saturday night, we heard a small scuffle in the can. Baby possum. They seem to keep getting trapped in the can lately.

[ocean2026]

ferret- Would you like to find your meals out of a trash can? Why not put a plate out for them. A bit of catfood ( not too much) maybe and a salmon steak with lemon - a side of veggies that your kids promised but refused to eat... they are appreciative and not too picky.

[Grainraiser]

Well I trapped to baby possums and seems like I missed one. Look out in the sunroom lastnight and he was staring back at me. I should have him trapped within the next couple of days and reunite him with his brothers and sisters.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

ferret- Would you like to find your meals out of a trash can? Why not put a plate out for them. A bit of catfood ( not too much) maybe and a salmon steak with lemon - a side of veggies that your kids promised but refused to eat... they are appreciative and not too picky.

We always do, we leave fruit and veggies on paper plates out along the garage, only 10 feet from the can even. They must smell something good in the trash. We rarely throw away even the smallest amount of food, we make soup or stew of veggies beyond the fresh look. We are frugal.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Grainraiser

This is timely thread. I just trapped two baby possums that were living under my deck. I would have let them be but they found a way into my sunroom and started using it as a bathroom. I was going to kill them at first but they looked so cute I just couldn't do it. I took them a couple of miles away from the house and released them. I then did a little research and found they make great pets. The one thing you have to do is feed them a diet of calcium. It seems they get a disease called MBD that causes there body to take calcium from there bones when there body lacks it. This can cause them to lose the ability to use the limb. I must say they were some cute little fellows and could have made someone some great pets.

Wild animals are not meant to be pets. They should be allowed to remain wild and one of the last things I would want running around my house is a possum. We had a neighbor who had a pet Racoon, so yes, they can be pets, but really, they are still meant to spend their lives in the wild. It is fun to watch them and even leave food for them, that is as far as I would go. We have almost every little creature in the woods running around our front and back yard, they love any treats we leave them, but we would never think of having them as pets.

Nita