Taming a Baby Opossum in 3 Days
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- I found an orphan baby possum in a neighborhood full of cats, so I decided to see if I could tame it so it could live with me for a while
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Update: I'm in contact with a wildlife rehabber who specializes in opossums and they are giving me the guidance to properly care for Rocky. If I feel I can't give her the proper care, I will give her to a professional rehabber.
Thanks for following along on the journey,
Josh
Update if you aren't license in your state to rehab animals then you are breaking the law. Check your laws, And turn that opossum over to the professionals. I have cared for several Opossums and you need to do whats best for the animal, not whats best for RUclips.
@@kingopossum123 kinda true...
King Opossum yep totally agree and Rocky has been doing great so far! We’ve checked the rules and guidelines for keeping her.
@@abbyblabby5938 Great, happy you treat her well.
Hope she lives a long happy life
I am not a pro rehab, but I have cared for several opossums. As she gets older she will probably like to find her own spot somewhere adjacent to your home, if you decide not to keep her as a pet. She will probably come to you for munchies everyday. All my cats are very accepting of opossums. I think opossums are beautiful creatures and I learned a lot from them. Just stop holding her by the tail. Good luck!
They blow bubbles and foam to make you think he is sick. As a defense mechanism
I like to blow bubbles out of my nose.
THanks. Good to know that
Yea but he still has a respiratory infection
That is so sweet. Poor baby
@@Chilam. no it doesn’t . Like he said, they do that as a defense. Opossum literally has no defense besides looking gross or dead or scary.
1. Opossums are immune to rabies. It is VERY rare for them to get rabies.
2. You can’t release him into the wild now
Gnossienne Magika, by the very nature that they rarly get rabies, means that they are not immune to rabies. What happens is that their blood temperature is lower then mammals, and rabies generally needs a higher temperature to do it's thing. You are 100% correct in that they rarely get rabies, however it does happen so be aware.
However opossums do have some actual immunity to snake venom, with a special protein in their blood. In fact opossums blood are now used in manufacturing antivenom. In the past antivenom was generally from horses.
Fun facts you may not know:
Opossums are the only naturally occurring marsupial in north America. Possums and Opossums are actually different animals with possums living in Australia not north America.
Possums are more genetically linked to kangaroos then are opossums.
They do carry many other diseases though
Also as long as he isnt kept with this animal (the guy in video) it is still possible to release
They also dont bite they just play dead they only bite If they're rabid
@@rorylapidus5772
I hope you don't mind, but I am going to copy and paste your comment as a main comment in hopes more people will see it and appreciate these lovely creatures.
I will make sure the message appropriately references you as the originator.
Rabies is extremely rare in opossums!!! That grimace is to scare others when they are afraid, not because they will bite you!
*IS EXTREMELY RARE BECAUSE IT IS NON-EXISTANT WITH OPOSSUMS.*
Rabies can't survive in opossum their metabolism and body temp are to low
Yes!!!! Almost ALL hiss and very little bite! They are deceptively....SWEET!
@@darktrooper2099 Not true, there have been cases of possums with rabies, but it is extremely, extremely rare.
@@ThatDamnPandaKai *: : : : :NON-existent*
Holding an opossum by it's tail is pretty dangerous, especially one this young; they only use their tails as grips when they're in trees. It's the same as picking up a snake by it's tail; you can easily break their backs even though it seems like they use their tails often (which is false, as they use their cores).
I'm glad you've sought help with a wildlife rehabber. If anyone ever finds a baby opossum, make sure to give them blankets or something similar to their mother's pouch (opossums are marsupials) to keep warm and safe. They're just babies living off of instinct. I can't hate this video because you're trying to do good, but a little bit of research and common sense goes a long way when meeting a wild animal and trying to provide care.
Agree.
Is it only baby possums that you can’t pick up by the tail? Can you do it to adults?
I’ve seen videos of people doing it to adults but didn’t know that was a thing
@@dong7474 I would not recommend it on any age possum if only because they don't want to be picked up and you will scare them half to death. I have two who roam my yard at night and they are the cutest, most precious critters and I wish I could pet them & hold them but they're wild animals and it would frighten them.
@@dong7474 Even adults can get hurt! People just do it sometimes to the adults but it's not safe. Think about it, usually possums are holding onto something else while seemingly "hanging" from their tails.
Alexis H we don’t have many possums where I live, and the ones I have seen have just been hanging out on my fence. But I will keep that in mind if I ever get the chance to handle a possum.
He was actually a lot more chill after that bath, and I'm glad you had a variety of different foods right there because opossums are actually omnivores.
You get it. Their hands are like ours, LOL
You need to get him a stuffed animal to grab on to, they like to ride their parents as babies by being in their pouch, or gripping to the fur.
So true he should buy ompussom plush
okay but that’s adorable
Fing crying this is so cute 😭
Me too.
If you’d like a stuffed possum, I’m a taxidermist
I have rescued a baby opossum that was hit by a car. I immediately took him to my vet who rehabs opossums. Unfortunately he was not releasable. I did rehab him and kept him. They have to eat a very special diet or they can get a calcium deficiency and his bones will not grow be properly. Please do your research and feed him appropriately otherwise your not doing the lil guy any good. Good luck!
B.B. Boxer This dude made and impulse buy but without the money, I highly doubt he has checked for experienced people to take her in. He wanted the animal just to have it and it’s very clear by making a tic tok account just for it. It’s just sad to be honest.
@@owlwhisker0w031 i agree that he's not going to take very good care of her. He's done no research on opossum or the crow. He doesn't even know how to hold a snapping turtle and could've gotten bit.
The chances of the opossum surviving after you release it is extremely low. The mother teaches it how to find food and avoid danger (humans) Now this opossum has zero fear of humans. That has terrible consequences. You might want to consider making her your permanent pet.
I was thinking the same.
Yeahh.. I was thinking about that, hopefully she’s a good pet opossum..? Definitely can’t be re-released.
up
up
up
That flee bath was probably the best idea ever! I can only imagine the relief, that little critter must feel.
Thanks for taking care of this little guy. Peace and Love. :)
You’re a very sweet and kind person for saving Rocky. It’s good to hear you’re getting advice from experts on how to care for her. I wish you both the best!
Mom: Go play with the neighborhood kid
The neighborhood kid:
lmao yes
I mean, its cool tho.
Why would you not want to be with this man and his animals
William Bond d
William Bond i wouldnt mind
It always amazes me how food in general helps animals like us more. Even humans make friends easier with food lol
Why do you think a typical date, includes food first? Dopamine and endorphins. Food, drugs, sugar, drugs, yadda yadda yadda.
I mean, have you ever wanted to bite someone who got you a ten-piece McNuggets meal?
OMG, I just can't with that fur flying from being blow dryed lol. 5:49 That is the cutest!! So sweet!!
I GASPED
"he's going to have so much relief after this bath"
- very next scene is a hairdryer blowing on him, which no doubt is the equivalent of a human standing in front of an airplane's turbine, lmao -
Stfu stop being some bitches is the possum dead or showing any signs of pain ? No so stop bitchin 🤡 ❄️ click off the video
I thought the same thing with the blow dryer. Where's the common sense here? As humans, we always think we know best, but we JUST DON'T. We live a minute from the shores of Lake Michigan and we always see adult and baby opossum around--we absolutely love them being around, but unless they are in obvious distress (adult raccoon fighting with a baby opossum!), we do not intervene. I know he's trying to help, but...research and common sense, yeah?
@@ggeemmiinnii im pretty sure they think the mother is dead. So the baby wouldn't have a chance without them
I wouldn’t recommend holding them from their tails, that causes damage and stress. Good luck though.
@Chunchunmaru might want to check your sources. Their tails aren't strong enough to support their weight.
@@dime9398 they hang by their feet, they use their tail to wrap around the object as a stabilizer
Josh: I'm gonna tame this possum
Possum: You can tame these boogers.
xD
Possom: I'm gonna to tame this Josh.
He looked so happy and content after his flea bath and wrapped up in the towel.
She
She is so cute! Glad you decided to take care of her.
When you see a dead one on the road check its pouch to rescue babies if possible.
Just Joshing always brings weird things into my feed. And I’m not disappointed.
Braydon Coyer me too. They aren’t clickbait either he goes right straight to the point, unlike other RUclips’s that will
end up talking about 10-15 minutes of the video and then show only 5 minutes clip of their video topic.
Pro tip for you: Search up on RUclips, how to give a possum a massage. You will not be disappointed.
ATAwarrior SS bruh
At first I started to get upset about a couple of things but the way you were handling her and the compassion and care that you showed on second day put me at ease and told me that you really care for her and not just treating her as a toy. For those who really want to care for a oppossums, but it's illegal to have one as a pet in your state, you can be trained and become a qualified caregiver of one that needs special care. But from what I've learned while researching them they need a lot of care and attention and you have to be willing to care for them most of your free time. They can be loving pets, a bit testy at times, but aren't we all and you'd have to be willing to do a lot of research on them beyond your actual training and be willing to spend a lot of time with them in the next few years.
The second you picked her up by her tail was the moment you began to cause her pain. Snot bubbles coming out of her nose was a further sign of distress. 🥺
But possums as baby hangs upsidedown
@@EXE-2020 they do not. That's only in drawings. They have prehensile tails and are not supposed to hang upsidown. They use their tails to hold onto stuff but not to hang from it.
No that’s a defense mechanism. It’s just a little scared. I would know since I’m a biologist!
@@deekamikaze they can support themselves by there tails. Stfu Karen.
@@jdp21211 They don't hang from their tails, dummy. You're a terrible biologist 😂
He is yours now! I feed two every day. They are generally harmless and don't carry rabies. Good job! He's absolutely precious!
I know for a fact opossums make great pets. My friend in Florida had one. Raised it from a baby after the mom was found deceased. I had a pet squirrel named Lucky, she was a great pet. Smart, fun to have. I love your videos.
This dude livin’ the minecraft life, trynna tame every mob he sees
Next month he will have a zombie on a box.
*Am sure its a VERY fun & mean to maybe try it someday.*
I live in Oklahoma. I raised two to adults. The sweetest things ever.
when bubbles come out there nose what that means?
@@justinhamilton4267 It means they are stressed. It is one of their ways of trying to discourage predators.
How much are they worth
@@__bella2.o WHAT!?
Humans or possums
Possums are awesome, awesome animals, very sweet natured and good for the environment. I realize though you had no idea what you were doing with that baby, but if you can't keep it I hope you found it a good permanent home.
Keep her! I know a person that has had several pet opposums. They are very sweet and do not carry rabies. The sad part is they have a very short life even in captivity....
That’s not sad at all the less the better
@@daryeusford9696 I can tell you have a very cold heart 👍
Davion Archer oh no how terrible😱
That's such a sweetheart thing to do. Make more wasps videos they're really entertaining. Plus they help me cope with my fear of wasps
Cee Dee , it’s sweet until you realize he won’t be afraid of humans now and also doesn’t know how to find food for himself. Another comment states this higher in the comments section.
@@gray11 oh that makes sense🤦🏾♀️
They mean well but feeding it whatever will result in MBD which leeches calcium from their bones causing deformities or even death. This is why it’s best to hand them to a rehabber. 😞
I think we need a few thousand more comments pointing out his mistakes with the tail and the food because he might not have seen the first ones js
Or maybe people comment before reading everyone else's comments. Probably didn't know that was possible did you lol
Struggling Gardener you probably don’t know what a joke is do you
@@pearlkohler5422 probably not lol
@@ElessarEstel Nah, it’s pretty common on YT for people to read a comment and just blatantly copy it. Hell some are almost the exact same sentence.
Love this comment lol
His sister: put him down he needs some rest
Josh: *ignores*
the drooling is a defense mechanism -_-
This is awesome! Yolande and me really enjoyed watching the adventures of Rocky. She's really cute!
Once domesticated Rocky’s all yours bro! She won’t know how to assimilate without help from her mom!
What a precious video . Thank you for caring for these little creatures .
We have FOUR baby opossums. We raised one before. Apparently, they salivate to make the intruder think they are sick. This is why they stink too. Ordinarily they have no natural smell. The last time we had an opossum animal control told us to release it in the park which it was big enough as it already had all the necessary instincts to survive. Our latest group are named Onyx, Opal, Ollie and Oro.
The wild possums are like you think you're better than us?
Opossums do NOT hang by their tails. And you do not ever pick them up by the tail. Seriously dangerous to the baby.
Give it to a rehabber to raise.
I have a great idea! Let's google "opossum hanging by the tail" and see if it really happens... (choose images :)))
Wrong
they don't really use it that way, no, but it will not harm them, especially the small.
It was the hair dryer for me. Wtf.
@@fioregiallo lol yes
I had a friend that told me he had a possum as a pet when he was a kid. He said it acted like a cat.
They're a lot like a cat, even their grooming regimen. They maintain cleanliness but they need to be checked for parasites when they're taken from the wild - fleas, ticks, lice, and intestinal ones are common. Unfortunately, depending on their genetic make up, they don't live nearly as long as a cat, lucky to get three or so years. They age precipitously.
I guess they do-
OPOSSUMS DONT HAVE RABIES BC THERE CORE BODY TEMP IS TOO LOW
Blowing bubbles through his nose the way of making you think he’s sick so you don’t want to eat him
Thank you for taking good care of him!
Rocky is in heaven with the flea bath and then the gourmet food. He thinks he'll stay around a while and enjoy the amenities.
You should NEVER hold a opossum by its tail. It's a myth that they hang like that.
I said same thing i agree
Yup-
Really now? I dad has this pet and that's all he dose
@Jimmy Jazz kids...?
@Jimmy Jazz there older than u-
That Intro with the sister thing was the most awkward shit I’ve ever seen lol
I too start blowing nose bubbles when in awkward situations.
Opossem:noooo
let me goo
Josh: nah I think ill hold you
They don't have weak jaws, and can and will bite! They have an array of fearsome sharp teeth...I got bit, and it hurt and was bloody, made a crunchy sound...(cringe!) . Tried to rescue two about this size I got out of my dog's mouth, they never did tame and quite cleverly escaped...I mean they planned it, timed it and positioned themselves and waited for it...I was impressed and quite proud of them! They're not stupid!
this is *YOUUUUUUUR* daily dose of internet
I need someone in my life who looks at me like Abby looks at her brother.
“I see fleas!”
“..you don’t know that..”
“I see one!”
Relatable sibling interaction
They looks more like a Sid than a Rocky to me, but you made me want an opposum. I just want to find a baby wild thing & tame it & love it so badly! It's the biggest honor nature can offer a modern person, I think
Mine liked over ripe strawberries. They have a very short lifespan. About 3 years
Just use Dawn dish soap for a flea/tick bath.
Do the right thing and show your audience what to properly do when they find a wild opossum orphan
-keep it safe in a quiet environment
- contact a local rehabber
- turn them over for the best chance of survival
You can even interview the rehabber! That would be shared way more than this video that may leave a bad taste in people’s mouth.. and you know how badly it goes for influencers deemed animal abusers.
J J yes yes please!!
Don't forget about the hammer to the head
I didn't see any abuse in this video. Maybe some mistakes, but far from abuse.
It’s everyday bro with that homicidal possum flow
Dude clearly sees wildlife as props
Awe... I could not let her go. I’ve always wanted one as a pet. ❤️
Thank you for saving her life, she would not have made it long.
it's probably not weaned. Honestly finding a wildlife rehabilitator is the best thing instead of trying to 'tame' it yourself. Opossums are not pets. It's also a terrible idea to use flea meds for different animals. Unscented dish soap is the best thing to use as it kills the fleas and won't harm the animal any.
Yes! They need specialized care and diet or they will become deathly ill as well
Opossums make great pets
@@JJ-ui1cn opossums eat everything they are natural scavengers they keep nature clean like vultures.
@@ladydragon7777 in the wild they naturally eat a broad range of things including full carcasses with bone etc.. they can balance their own diet. In captivity we have to carefully replicate that. I rehab opossums and I’ve seen countless cases of mbd where they didn’t survive or became deformed from eating too much or not enough protein, processed meats.. etc. just because they are scavengers does not mean they can be given whatever. Look up mbd in opossums, it’s a terrible way to die.
@@JJ-ui1cn Thank you! You are absolutely correct. It is horrible what happens to them. Sadly, I have seen it first hand.
Opossums make bubbles from there nose to make the predators think he is sick so the predators think he is unappetizing
Rocky is BEAUTIFUL! I love her!
Opossums have a low body temp, making it almost immune to rabies.
Keeping her till shes bigger and letting her go is essentially fattening her up for predators
I have rehabbed and aided many opossums over the years. They have stronger instincts than most are giving them credit for. The babies can be raised by humans and can thrive if they're allowed freedom which is what they thrive on. Caging them is only suitable for a short time, best if they can have the run of a house and get shown their toilet areas which they will faithfully use, much like a cat. They best go their own way at about three months of age, biggest predators they face is mostly owls before they reach full adulthood. After that, what usually kills them are infections and parasites and their natural deterioration to die by about two or so years, if they're fortunate. I've wintered over a few, had one as a pet due to a damaged tail, they all prospered and would show up for revisits on occasion but usually, their instincts to establish their looping territories takes over and they've gone their way as they're meant to do.
I mean your not wrong-
every young person should raise and care for a rescue animal its a great character builder!!
She was SO dirty. Good on you for helping that critter.
I found a baby possum a few weeks ago, he was a lot smaller than rocky. And the next morning the rehabbers picked him up after I took care of him.
they like pasta, baked ziti, lasagna. i always gave left overs to ones outside and they'd squeak with joy
Opossums DO NOT hang from their tails. Prehensile does not mean they hang from the tail; it means they grasp with the tail. Although you may not hurt it by picking it up that way, you could. The mother does not pick it up that way and neither do handlers. At that age, they spend a lot of time inside the pouch. To calm a baby opossum, it should be kept inside a bag. And it's better to comb the fleas off of it than bathe it. It's a testament to the hardiness of this animal that you didn't kill it. When a person finds a wild baby, the first thing that they should do is call wildlife experts to see what is best and if there are any rehab specialists in the area. They make lousy pets since they do not attach to humans well. Once she is eating well on her own and is about twice that weight, she can be let go. If she sticks around, you'll know she wants to stay.
fun fact, possums dont get deceases because their body temperature is too cold to hold one
She can never be released into the wild now that she is tame she would die because she has no fear of humans she's basically a house opposom now.
Yeah, in other words: you should have been left where it was..
It was orphaned, it would have died if it was left in the wild, at least its alive, wildlife experts will save animals and care for them to save their lives, even if it means the animal cant be released into the wild, just think of all the animal ambassadors that cant be released, it just has to be done sometimes. He maybe could have given it a fake mother possum, but that would be incredibly difficult, and frankly impossible. What he did was the best decision that could be made.
Curtis S. Arnold I mean there’s no right answer cause it didn’t have a family
I am an Opossum rehabber and expert. This is not necessarily true. Many Opossums will wild up. It is up to the Opossum.
Wrong. Baby opossums are very basic, and most find food by smell. They don't attach to humans like dogs or cats. They keep moving to find mates and food. They won't remember you or wonder why you left them in a suitable place to release them. If he keeps it for years, then it would be unethical to release it. But they need tons of calcium and movement to not become paralyzed and overweight in captivity.
Awww the bath made him happy!
He is cute. You might want to pick those flees off of him. When I brought my little dog home, she was full of flees. I bathed her in flee shampoo and just sat down and picked every flee off of her. He is so cute. Good luck with him. Thanks for saving him,
I used to have an opossum and they foam from the mouth because when they play dead they foam and it has a really bad smell to made other animals leave them alone and possums can hang from their tail but it is wrong that they sleep hanging from their tails and they don’t really like it unless they do it themselves. They shouldn’t be bathed either because they feel more comfortable in their own musk and they stink really bad either way because they just smell really bad anyway. You should go out and find some worms for him or buy meal worms because bugs and insects are an important part of their diet. And do you even know if it’s a he or she. Most people just assume that animals are males so you should check. Looks like you should have done some RESEARCH my guy. Guys please like this if you want him to learn and give that poor little thing a good life (;
Nobody gives a fuck if she foams from her mouth while playing dead. She will quite obviously not face any predators while in captivity :o! He doesnt make her sleep hanging on her tail. Once again, for now its a pet and unless she will be set free, she wont mind being clean and having no bugs crawling on her. Diet ok cant disagree. Looks like you should work on yourself and stop straight up bullying for literally no reason while also being extremly wrong.
He was just trying to spread information you didn’t have to be so harsh
@@bpmimus fr tf >:(
The bath was necessary those fleas can be dangerous
@@TQo1 iw wasn't being a bully and the information he was giving put is wrong and I was just trying to help. So stop being such a birch abput everything and mind your own biz
6:46 when the hottest girl in your neighborhood is walking in front your house 😆
How is the queen yellow jacket doing
E
Hopefully well.
ded
Ya ded
Yeah where
Thank you for being willing to touch and care for a wild animal. It takes a special person to care. I would check out that nasal drip. In my state, all wild animal needs a 10 days quarantine to ensure no rabies, fleas, ticks dealt with. Above all, stop over handling him. He needs high vitamins at first and plenty of liquids. The fleas are more harm than him. I relocate them out of town to woodsy area.catfood, not too much. Had one die of heart fatty.plenty of veggies.
Ty for rescuing this baby. I saw the water turn red from the blood of fleas 😳 Poor baby was infested. You rock for helping rehabilitate this opossum. A stuffed animal in her carrier will help soothe her. Prayers for a positive outcome 🙏 Keep up the great work!! 🙌
Edit: those cats would have Rocky for dinner, no doubt 😬 You did the right thing✌️
You can litter train her. You need to keep her. They are so loving and fun!
Hey josh i subbed to you a long time ago and i wanted to say keep up the good work😃
Josh! You have such a good heart! Good luck on Rocki!
Nose bubbles and slobbers are a defensive mechanism...
Makes people think they’re ill
I can imagine your voices are terrifying. Talk gently to it so it won't be afraid.
Plus that hair dryer - the decibel level on that must have been terrifying to the little critter.
The bubble was a stinky saliva they emit when they play dead it makes them smell more unappetizing
Rocky wont know how to survive on her own. Keep her bro.
I found one in my lawnmower grass catcher. Very young and clean, bright white with grey back. He was scared and dehydrated. After giving him water, I let him free and he casually scuttled away. I didn't know they could be tamed. He was Disney cute. Now I wish I would have kept him.
Just found one of these little babies while out walking the dog. No mom, no siblings and we also have hundreds of cats, dogs and hawks in the area so decided to grab her and bring her home. We set her up in a box with towels, water and food and she made it into a home right away. She seemed to feel very comfortable with me holding her on the way home and then getting settled in her new, temporary home. I was able to pet her without any problems. Then my daughter, the voice of reason, convinced me that she needs to go to a wildlife rehab place. 😣
I will miss you little one!!
My name is Josh.... my sisters name is Abby... This is the weirdest coincidence ever! XD
Are you also taming wasp? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@blue4lifeblue No, I am terrified of them! XD
Cute she will be friendly quickly, biting is not in their nature
She can have the virus name is rabies
@@skibidi_mice it's rare for them to get rabies there kinda immune
@@skibidi_mice the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum's low body temperature (94-97º F) making it difficult for the virus to survive
Damn for the amount of orphaned squirrels, opossums, birds... I raised as a kid I could have been famous 😂
I had a pet squirrel when I was little that I named Scrat.(like from ice age) I miss him lots
If you ever come across a opossum, just search Opossum eating bananas.
Their ferocity and power rivals pitbulls and Belgian malinois.😆
Oppossums make bubbles to pretend they are sick so they are left alone.
Please keep the possum it's super adorable I would love to see so many more things with you and Rocky.
This mans a legend
Opossums will not bite you. I stuffed my finger in one's mouth and didn't bite me
Hold on a second how did you get in that predicament
Savage!
We have bigger questions that need answering now🤔
Wait, WHY?
😂😂
I've raised 11 opossums. None were "slobbery"
This is my BEAUTIFUL.... SISTER??? XD BOY HOWDY I didn't expect that in under a minute lmao
And then they both looked all goofy about it! WTF? So we've got Rocky, Riffraff and Magenta here I guess! (the fact they named him Rocky is REALLY hilarious irony/coincidence in that context). What better way to embody the 'country bumpkin' stereotype than doing a no-research job of raising a wild animal and then expressing attraction to your sister ON CAMERA and then putting it out in public for validation!
"I very well may get bitten"
*See that's where you're wrong :)*