I found a opossum. What do I do?
North America's only marsupial. Babies ride in the pouch, then on mom's back, then are on their own at eight inches long.
Is it really orphaned?
Opossums leave their mother early. A young opossum 8 inches or longer from nose to the base of the tail is on its own and doing fine; leave it alone. Smaller than that, or injured, and it needs help.
Opossums are nocturnal and solitary. One out in daylight looking for a dark place to sleep is normal. One out in daylight that is staggering, circling, or lying in the open is not.
Found a dead opossum
Check the lower belly for a pouch. If there are babies inside, they can survive for a while after the mother dies. Put the whole mother in a box if you can, or gently remove the babies (they are attached to her nipples; don’t pull, and if they won’t come loose bring the mother), keep them warm, and call us.
Hit by a car, or caught by a dog
If you can get it into a secure container without touching it (slide it in with a shovel or a piece of cardboard, or drop a towel over it and scoop), do that. Then warm, dark, quiet, and call. If you can’t safely contain it, call animal control.
An opossum that “plays dead” is not dead. It may stay motionless for an hour. An opossum that gapes its mouth and shows its teeth is terrified, not aggressive; it wants you to go away.
What not to do
- Don’t offer food or water. Babies need a specific diet and adults in shock can’t handle either.
- Don’t handle it more than you must. The stress can kill.
- Don’t poison snails or rats in your garden. Opossums eat both and die from the poison.
Then call us
Whatever you found, call or text (510) 421-9897 before you drive anywhere. We'll confirm what you have, tell you whether to bring it to us or somewhere closer, and make sure someone is there to meet you.
