Damon Mcknight
Baby possums are fragile creatures with specialised needs. If you encounter an abandoned or injured baby possum, it is best to bring it to a veterinarian or a wildlife care organisation. These organisations have experienced carers who can provide the specialised equipment and care that baby possums require. Possums are typically kept in a quiet, secure location, away from noise and family pets. They need to be kept warm and hydrated, and fed specialised milk substitutes, as they are lactose intolerant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Possums should be kept in a quiet, secure location away from family pets, excessive noise, and temperature extremes. |
| Handling | Possums should be handled with care as they may scratch and bite. They can be caught using a catch net or a large blanket and transported in a hessian or calico bag. |
| Diet | Possums have a low metabolic rate and can easily become overweight. Their diet should consist mostly of native plants, including leaves, fruits, flowers, and fungi. Orphaned baby possums should be fed a specialised milk formula, such as Wombaroo Possum Milk, Biolac M100, or Di-Vetelact, as they are lactose intolerant and cow's milk can be harmful. |
| Housing | Adult possums should be housed separately, unless they are a mother with young. Orphaned possums should be kept in an artificial pouch, such as a beanie or sock, with a heat pad or hot water bottle to maintain warmth and prevent stress and shock. |
| Veterinary Care | Baby possums should be taken to a veterinarian or wildlife care organisation as soon as possible after being found. The vet will check for injuries, provide a treatment plan, and advise on a suitable feeding schedule. |
| Rehabilitation | Possums should be kept in a quiet, dark, and warm environment to settle. Enrichment activities can help them regain natural behaviours and prepare for release back into the wild. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep them warm
Baby possums, or joeys, are born very small, typically about the size of a lima bean, and rely heavily on their mother's care for survival. They are unable to regulate their body temperature and can become cold very quickly. Therefore, it is important to keep them warm.
If you find a baby possum, place it in a dark, secure pouch, such as a sock, to help it feel safe. Then, place the pouch inside a small box or carrier lined with towels or blankets to keep it secure and warm. You can also use a hot water bottle or fill a disposable rubber glove with hot tap water. Place this alongside the joey in the box, ensuring it remains safe and secure during transport.
Maintain a temperature between 75°F to 90°F. Use a heat lamp or heating pad to keep them warm during cooler months. Check the shelter daily, cleaning it regularly to prevent illness. Ensure it’s quiet and away from direct sunlight and drafts.
If the joey feels cool to the touch, warm it gradually using a Pet Warming Pad set on low, a warm towel, or a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Never submerge the baby in water or use direct heat, as rapid temperature changes can be fatal.
Once the joey is warm and stable, you can begin feeding. The milk formula should be slightly warm, around 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Before each feeding, check the formula's temperature on the inside of your wrist to ensure it is not too hot.
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Prepare specialised milk formula
It is important to note that possums are lactose intolerant and should not be fed regular cow's milk, as it can cause diarrhoea, slow their growth and may even cause death. Possums require specialised milk formulas such as Wombaroo Possum Milk, Biolac M100, Di-Vetelact, or Biolac, which can be purchased from vet clinics, pet shops, or directly from the manufacturers.
If you are unable to get a proper substitute milk, you can use an emergency substitute by mixing one part evaporated milk with three parts pre-boiled water. This mixture should only be used for a maximum of two days. It is important to ensure that the possum is warm and hydrated before offering any milk, as a dehydrated possum will not drink. To feed the possum, use a syringe with a catheter tip as a makeshift teat. The milk should be warmed and the temperature should be just right—not too hot and not too cold.
After every feed, the possum needs to be toileted as they are unable to do it themselves when they are young. It is also important to record the exact amount fed to ensure the possum is meeting its daily nutritional requirements. Sterility is crucial when feeding possums, so the milk should be kept in a sealed container and warmed in small amounts to avoid reheating.
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Know how to handle them
Possums are fragile creatures and can be dangerous to handle due to their tendency to scratch and bite. If you encounter a baby possum, it is best to take it to a veterinarian, wildlife caring organisation, or wildlife ranger in your local area for advice. If you are unable to do so immediately, here is some information on how to handle them.
If you are attempting to catch a possum, you can use a catch net or a large blanket. Blankets can be folded around the possum's body to provide even pressure and protect the handler. When handling a possum, hold the tail and the scruff of the neck, or hold the head and neck between your index and middle fingers. Limit handling time as much as possible.
Possums can be transported in a hessian or calico bag, or a secure, well-ventilated pet pack or box. Ensure the bag is turned inside out so the possum doesn't get tangled or caught on seams. Be careful that the animal doesn't overheat during transport.
If you are caring for a baby possum, it is important to keep them warm and hydrated. Use a heat pad or hot water bottle set to around 30–32°C (86–89.6°F) and place the possum in a pouch (such as a beanie or sock) with a blanket. The pouch should be just large enough for the possum to turn around in. You can also provide a warm, quiet, dark space for them to settle in.
Baby possums should not be fed cow's milk as they are lactose intolerant. Special milk formulas such as Wombaroo Possum Milk, Biolac M100, and Di-Vetelact are available and should be prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. The milk should be warmed and fed using a syringe with a catheter tip or a trimmed winged infusion set. After feeding, the possum will need to be toileted as they cannot do it themselves at a young age.
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Provide shelter
Providing shelter for a baby possum is crucial to ensure its comfort and survival. Here are some detailed instructions on how to provide adequate shelter:
Location
It is important to keep the possum in a quiet, secure, and calm location away from any excessive noise or disturbances. This includes shielding the animal from general household noise, traffic sounds, and construction work. Additionally, keep the possum away from family pets and other domestic animals that could cause stress or harm to the baby possum.
Temperature Control
Maintaining a suitable temperature is essential for the baby possum's health. They cannot regulate their body temperature effectively, so it is crucial to provide a warm environment. Utilize a heat pad or heat mat set to a temperature between 30°C and 32°C. Place the possum on the heat source or, if using a heat mat, fill a small box with blankets and a possum pouch on top of the mat. You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a jumper or blanket to provide warmth.
Shelter Setup
Create a comfortable and enclosed space for the baby possum. Use a pouch, such as a beanie or sock, that is just large enough for the possum to turn around in. Ensure the pouch is clean and free from any debris. Then, wrap the pouch in a blanket to provide additional warmth and comfort. This setup should be placed in a quiet and dark area to minimize stress and allow the possum to settle and feel secure.
Protection from Elements
Possums are vulnerable to weather conditions like heavy rain, strong sun, and wind. Ensure the shelter is protected from these elements to prevent the possum from getting wet or overheated. Keep the shelter well-ventilated to maintain a comfortable temperature and air circulation.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Maintain a high level of hygiene and cleanliness in the shelter area. After feeding, remove any spilled milk from the possum's fur, and change the pouch or bedding if it becomes soiled. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and keeps the baby possum healthy.
By following these instructions, you can provide a safe, comfortable, and suitable shelter for a baby possum, contributing to its well-being and chances of survival.
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Ensure proper diet
Baby possums have very specialised dietary needs and require a specifically developed milk formula to give them the best chance of survival. Possums are lactose intolerant and must never be fed regular cow's milk, as the lactose will cause diarrhoea, slow their growth, and may even cause death. Instead, specialised formulas such as Wombaroo Possum Milk, Biolac M100, and Di-Vetelact are recommended. These formulas are designed specifically for possums and can be purchased from vet clinics, pet shops, or directly from the manufacturers. In an emergency, a temporary substitute of watered-down evaporated milk (1 part evaporated milk to 3 parts pre-boiled water) can be used for up to two days, although this lacks the special nutrients of specialised formulas.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for feeding regimes and rates, as well as the guidelines for preparing the formula. The milk should be made with pre-boiled water to ensure sterility and must be warmed before feeding. It is crucial to only heat up small amounts at a time, as it should not be reheated. The temperature of the milk should be just right—not too hot and not too cold. Feeding can be done using a syringe with a catheter tip or a plastic/glass syringe with a teat or a trimmed winged infusion set. After feeding, the possum should be 'toileted', as they are unable to do it themselves when they are young.
The frequency of feeding depends on the age of the possum and can range from hourly to three-hourly feeds. Before offering any milk, it is important to ensure that the possum is warm and hydrated, as a dehydrated possum will not drink. To check for dehydration, you can pinch the skin between the possum's shoulder blades and time the smoothing out process. If it takes a few seconds, the possum is dehydrated and must be taken to a veterinarian or fauna rescue carer immediately.
As possums grow, they will start to eat solid foods. In the wild, common brushtail possums are generalist feeders, consuming leaves, fruits, flowers, fungi, bark, and sometimes small lizards, birds, and eggs. Their diet should primarily consist of native plants to avoid becoming overweight due to their low metabolic rate.
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Frequently asked questions
If you find a baby possum, it is best to take it to a professional wildlife carer as soon as possible. Baby possums have very specialised needs and require regular milk feeds. If you are unable to get the possum to an experienced carer immediately, you can use an emergency milk substitute such as watered-down evaporated milk or lactose-free milk for a short period.
Baby possums should be fed a specialised milk formula such as Wombaroo Possum Milk, Biolac M100, or Di-Vetelact. These formulas are designed specifically for possums and provide the necessary nutrients for their growth and development. Regular cow's milk should not be given to possums as they are lactose intolerant and it can cause health issues or even death.
Depending on their age, baby possums may need to be fed as frequently as once an hour. It is important to follow the manufacturer's feeding recommendations and create a suitable feeding schedule based on the possum's weight and growth stage.
Baby possums are fragile and should be handled with care. When transporting a baby possum, use a hessian or calico bag, a secure and well-ventilated pet pack, or a box. Ensure the possum does not get too hot during transport and provide a quiet, secure location away from excessive noise and family pets.
