How long do domesticated possums live?

Virginia opossum: 4 years
Common opossum: 2 years
Opossum/Lifespan

What is the lifespan of an opossum in captivity?

about four years
Compared to other mammals, including most other marsupials except dasyuromorphians, opossums have unusually short lifespans for their size and metabolic rate. The Virginia opossum has a maximal lifespan in the wild of only about two years. Even in captivity, opossums live only about four years.

Can you domesticate a possum?

Question: Can I keep an opossum as a pet? Answer: No. All wild animals belong in the wild. Give the opossum the chance to live the life nature intended…in the wild.

How long can a possum play dead?

40 minutes to four hours
Playing dead is an involuntary response on the part of the opossum. The stress of the confrontation facing the opossum causes him to go into shock. This shock induces a comatose state that can last from 40 minutes to four hours.

Are opossums affectionate?

Opossums, which have been in California for only the last 100 years, were introduced as pets; when let loose they flourished in the West Coast climate. It’s a sign of affection, but it’s an experience when, in the middle of the night, you’re awakened by a big opossum licking your face.”

Why do possums play dead?

Playing dead is the most effective way they have to protect themselves against predators. Most predators don’t want to eat an animal that’s already dead. Playing dead is an involuntary response on the part of the opossum. The stress of the confrontation facing the opossum causes him to go into shock.

How do you befriend a possum?

Let your pet rest its feet in the crook of your arm so that it can feel safe and properly supported. Allow your pet opossum to sit in your lap and eventually crawl onto your shoulders and arms, which is its nature. Once you have gotten to this point, you will truly have a tame pet opossum.

Are possums intelligent?

Opossums Are Smart Critters For one, they have a remarkable ability to find food and to remember where it is. When tested, opossums outscored rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs — but not humans.

Why do opossum freeze?

When Opossums eventually meet a deadly predator, they “faint” or “freeze” at the prospect of confronting such a predator, and most people will consider it “playing dead”. Playing dead is regarded as an instinctive response from an Opossum, as the prospect of facing danger can send the animal into a temporary shock.

Do possums like to cuddle?

Even now that she’s older, her favorite things to do are cuddle, eat and sleep – opossums sleep over 18 hours a day, according to Rice.

How long do opossums live?

The opossum begins to show the signs of aging such as cataracts, motor coordination problems, and weight loss. With such a short life span the trend is to get it done early and often, reproduce, that is. Muskrats, about the same size as an opossum, live 3 – 4 years, can have 1 – 4 liters per year averaging 6 – 7 young per liter.

Is a Virginia opossum a semi-domesticated animal?

At most the North American Virginia Opossum could possibly be considered semi-domesticated due to the fact that their lives have become so entwined with that of humans. With that said, all opossums, whether in captivity and cared for by people or surviving on their own in the wild, have short life spans.

How do opossums adapt to their environment?

Opossums have adapted well to a changing landscape and become more resourceful with their food sources, eating anything from fruit and grass to small birds and lizards. They are often discovered after raiding human garbage bins. Ever wondered why opossums play dead?

What is the difference between an opossum and a possum?

Depending on where you are or who you speak to, there is either a lot or no difference between an opossum and a possum. However, making the distinction can help clear up any concerns on what you are dealing with. The possum is the animal we are discussing in this article, but it is also known as the opossum.