The Virginia opossum, often called possum, is North America’s only native marsupial. These nocturnal creatures have a unique reproductive cycle: their young, called joeys, are born in a highly undeveloped state. After a gestation of 12 to 14 days, bean-sized joeys crawl into their mother’s pouch to continue development, attaching firmly to a nipple. A baby possum found alone has limited survival chances outside the pouch.
Factors Influencing Survival
A baby possum’s survival without its mother is extremely limited, depending on its developmental stage, environmental conditions, and health. Very young joeys, called “pinkies” due to their hairless appearance and closed eyes, are vulnerable. These undeveloped joeys cannot regulate their body temperature and rely entirely on their mother for warmth, nutrition, and waste elimination. Without consistent warmth, hypothermia rapidly leads to death.
As joeys mature, developing fur and opening their eyes (around 50-60 days old), their short-term survival chances outside the pouch increase slightly, but challenges remain. They require specialized milk formulas, distinct from cow’s milk or puppy/kitten formulas, which can cause severe digestive issues. Dehydration is a rapid threat, as joeys cannot easily find or consume appropriate fluids.
Environmental factors also play a role in survival time. Exposure to cold, heat, rain, or lack of safe shelter drastically reduces a joey’s chances. Predators, including domestic pets and other wildlife, pose an ongoing danger to unparented young possums. Even if an older joey temporarily avoids immediate threats, starvation and dehydration from lack of specialized nutrition limit survival to hours or a day for very young individuals.
Immediate Steps Upon Discovery
Discovering a baby possum alone requires immediate, careful action to maximize its survival chances. First, assess the situation from a distance to determine if the joey is truly orphaned or if the mother might return. If the joey is under seven inches long (excluding the tail), has closed eyes, or appears injured or lethargic, it needs assistance. Prioritize your safety by wearing gloves before handling any wildlife to prevent bites or parasite exposure.
Providing warmth is the most immediate step for a cold or vulnerable joey. Place the baby possum in a soft cloth, such as a fleece blanket or old T-shirt, inside a secure, covered container like a shoebox. A warm (not hot) water bottle, chemical hand warmer, or heating pad set on low under half the box provides necessary heat. Ensure the joey cannot directly contact the heat source to prevent burns, and allow space to move away if too warm.
Do not attempt to feed the baby possum or give it water. Cow’s milk, human food, or plain water can be detrimental, causing severe digestive upset, aspiration pneumonia, or death. A dehydrated or hypothermic animal cannot properly digest food, and improper feeding can lead to fluid entering the lungs. After providing warmth, immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, rescue organization, or local animal control. These professionals have the expertise and resources for proper care and guidance.
The Importance of Professional Wildlife Care
Professional wildlife care is necessary for a baby possum’s survival and successful reintroduction to its natural habitat. Rehabilitators possess specialized knowledge of these marsupials’ unique dietary, medical, and environmental needs. This includes providing species-specific milk formulas, like Wombaroo or Esbilac, formulated to match a mother possum’s complex milk composition. They also properly administer fluids and monitor for health issues like dehydration and metabolic imbalances.
Attempting to raise a wild animal without proper licensing is often illegal. Wildlife rehabilitators operate under permits, allowing them to care for native species with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild. This structured approach ensures the animal receives appropriate medical attention, a balanced diet, and gradual acclimation to outdoor conditions, preparing it for independent life. Professional care provides the best outcome for the joey, allowing it to contribute to the wild population rather than succumbing to improper care or becoming imprinted on humans.