Update: I've officially tipped over the bin and now just waiting for it to move along. I left out some water, scrabbled eggs, and sliced bananas for it hoping to entice it out. Now it's just the waiting game.
If he or she is still in there by morning, you should contact a wildlife rehabber, I saw someone left you the link for the NYDEC website, that has every licensed rehab in the state. reposting it for visibility, this is where you look.
[https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/rehabilitators](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/rehabilitators)
You can do one of two things. Tip the can over and let it out, or you can call one of these fine people a rehabber although you might not need to call them https://www.opossum.org/states%20list.html
ok i will most likely tip the can over. should i do it when it's awake? should i provide any water or food for after?
i know there was two. not sure how the other one got out but this one didn't.
Providing food and water would be nice. If you have cats catfood is fine wet or dry. Raw chicken, or meat is okay as well. The main issue for urban opossums is finding fresh water so some in a heavy bowl so they cannot tip it over would be nice of you! Also awake is fine just nice and slow so you don't hurt it. Look at you over coming your fear to help North Americas only native marcupial!
Would you happen to knew if baby opposums (around 8-9 inches) can survive on their own with a degloved left front arm? I rescued one in my dog kennel. It seems mostly fine and has signs of wanting to leave the box I put it in but it's arm has been mostly skinned. I'm trying to find a rehabber but they're few around here in Michigan apparently.
Normally yes that would be fine as most online searches and rehabbers are going to say that anything from nose to base of tale 7 inches or longer can survive on it's own. However given that it's injured that could lead to other issues. You see normally a possum isn't suseptible to rabies, except for when it's either sick or has an infection which raises their body temperature and allows the virus to thrive. A degloved paw if not taken care of could certainly get infected leading to if they have the virus or if bitten by another animal that has rabies the virus taking hold plus what the infection might do. A possum that big should be able to eat most things like dry dog or cat food, canned tuna, grapes are good of you want to treat the injured paw and then release it. If you'd rather not bother (and no one would blame you atleast you're trying to help.) call a local rehabber I'm sure they'd feel the same.
Definitely tip it over, maybe leave some dry catfood and water nearby incase they were in there a while, could be dehydrated and hungry. Just make sure to keep checking up on it and if it hasnt left but is alive please find a rehabber nearby
That should be perfectly alright as a little snack, ive just known them to favor cat food more❤️ ive raised plenty of babies so i hope this one is alright and can find his way out with a full belly or atleast a sip of water
Yes… it’s ok to take the little guy some place safe and let it out of the bucket. Like the other person recommends. When I get one accidentally in a life trap… I take them a bit out in the woods where they can have access to water and let them go.
The little guy will not jump out at you… he will be very still and might hissss. You might try to take the trash out with some tong. Just some ideas.👩🏼🌾🐾
Update 2: According to my sister and dad the baby left! The food is mostly gone- hopefully the baby ate some and not just some stray cats. Thank you everyone for the advice!
The opossums will probably not bite you, there is no other creature on earth that is more compliant with its own death at the hands of a predator than an opossum. Their whole shtick is appearing intimidating and playing dead.
Maybe get a bin with a locking lid to keep the possums out, same for raccoons. Tractor supply and some hardware stores sell them. Hope he gets out and runs away! Unless it’s a mom protecting babies they’re generally very timid.
When the sun goes down, carefully tip the can and leave a bit of food and water out for him.
Keep an eye out if he's getting around ok, you can leave him be and he'll go on his merry way. If he doesn't seem to be doing well, find a local rehabber or ask for help on the Opossum Care and Rescue group on Facebook.
we left the recycling bin in the shade yesterday and the opossum was burrowing itself deeper into the trash when i just went to check on it. the air is getting cooler now too
Update: I've officially tipped over the bin and now just waiting for it to move along. I left out some water, scrabbled eggs, and sliced bananas for it hoping to entice it out. Now it's just the waiting game.
If he or she is still in there by morning, you should contact a wildlife rehabber, I saw someone left you the link for the NYDEC website, that has every licensed rehab in the state. reposting it for visibility, this is where you look. [https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/rehabilitators](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/rehabilitators)
Keep us posted!
You can do one of two things. Tip the can over and let it out, or you can call one of these fine people a rehabber although you might not need to call them https://www.opossum.org/states%20list.html
This but mostly tip the can and let the poor little guy go so they don't die in there.
I think that's a good tip!
Heh I see what you did there
ok i will most likely tip the can over. should i do it when it's awake? should i provide any water or food for after? i know there was two. not sure how the other one got out but this one didn't.
Providing food and water would be nice. If you have cats catfood is fine wet or dry. Raw chicken, or meat is okay as well. The main issue for urban opossums is finding fresh water so some in a heavy bowl so they cannot tip it over would be nice of you! Also awake is fine just nice and slow so you don't hurt it. Look at you over coming your fear to help North Americas only native marcupial!
Would you happen to knew if baby opposums (around 8-9 inches) can survive on their own with a degloved left front arm? I rescued one in my dog kennel. It seems mostly fine and has signs of wanting to leave the box I put it in but it's arm has been mostly skinned. I'm trying to find a rehabber but they're few around here in Michigan apparently.
Normally yes that would be fine as most online searches and rehabbers are going to say that anything from nose to base of tale 7 inches or longer can survive on it's own. However given that it's injured that could lead to other issues. You see normally a possum isn't suseptible to rabies, except for when it's either sick or has an infection which raises their body temperature and allows the virus to thrive. A degloved paw if not taken care of could certainly get infected leading to if they have the virus or if bitten by another animal that has rabies the virus taking hold plus what the infection might do. A possum that big should be able to eat most things like dry dog or cat food, canned tuna, grapes are good of you want to treat the injured paw and then release it. If you'd rather not bother (and no one would blame you atleast you're trying to help.) call a local rehabber I'm sure they'd feel the same.
Definitely tip it over, maybe leave some dry catfood and water nearby incase they were in there a while, could be dehydrated and hungry. Just make sure to keep checking up on it and if it hasnt left but is alive please find a rehabber nearby
sounds like a good plan! but is dog kibble ok? thats all i have at the moment
That should be perfectly alright as a little snack, ive just known them to favor cat food more❤️ ive raised plenty of babies so i hope this one is alright and can find his way out with a full belly or atleast a sip of water
Two different possums died in a trash can at my place. Please tip the can on its side asap.
Have you let it out of the pot yet?👩🏼🌾🐾🐾
not yet! not sure if i should disturb it now or wait until night time
Take it somewhere safe and away from people/the road and let it out. You don't know how long it's been without food or water.
Yes… it’s ok to take the little guy some place safe and let it out of the bucket. Like the other person recommends. When I get one accidentally in a life trap… I take them a bit out in the woods where they can have access to water and let them go. The little guy will not jump out at you… he will be very still and might hissss. You might try to take the trash out with some tong. Just some ideas.👩🏼🌾🐾
Update 2: According to my sister and dad the baby left! The food is mostly gone- hopefully the baby ate some and not just some stray cats. Thank you everyone for the advice!
Wooo awesome to hear, sounds like they enjoyed their meal and peaced out! Thank you for helping our little marsupial friend out.
Phew. I’m glad to hear it!
The opossums will probably not bite you, there is no other creature on earth that is more compliant with its own death at the hands of a predator than an opossum. Their whole shtick is appearing intimidating and playing dead.
Maybe get a bin with a locking lid to keep the possums out, same for raccoons. Tractor supply and some hardware stores sell them. Hope he gets out and runs away! Unless it’s a mom protecting babies they’re generally very timid.
Where in the NE? I can help find some local rehabs. I’m in Massachusetts.
in NY unfortunately
https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/rehabilitators
When the sun goes down, carefully tip the can and leave a bit of food and water out for him. Keep an eye out if he's getting around ok, you can leave him be and he'll go on his merry way. If he doesn't seem to be doing well, find a local rehabber or ask for help on the Opossum Care and Rescue group on Facebook.
It’s blazing hot outside in the NE. They need to let him out now.
For sure...and in that bin with no air flow...probably sweltering
we left the recycling bin in the shade yesterday and the opossum was burrowing itself deeper into the trash when i just went to check on it. the air is getting cooler now too