Ferrets and opossums?

[tss]

A few weeks ago there was a mother possum hit and killed right down the hill from us, a very skinny weak baby ended up in the yard and was attacked by Sally and died that night (I do NOT blame Sally for it, she's a dog and that's what dogs do). For about the past weeks the dogs have went outside and gone crazy, we've got some wooden fencing leaned against the house and something has been behind it. They found another baby possum and all most caught it. We bought a mini live trap and set it out there, we caught it (the stupid door also managed to cut it's tail).

Do they carry anything harmful to ferrets? My father owned a skunk and groundhog when he was younger and is interested in keeping the possum... He even said for us to keep it with the ferrets, I am not too sure about that but I know that would people keep rabbits and cavys, mice and gerbils or rats and mice together so why not ask?. Possums are said to be omnivores, I'm not sure if that is fact or fiction. Their teeth look much worse then a ferrets.

My only current worry would be fleas. Possums are always thought of as rabies carries but look it up it's rare. Possums are NOT mammals they are marsupials. This says they are immune to rabies AND distemper.
www.planetpossum.com/facts.htm

[Heather]

You know you're probably not going to find to many professional answers on this one Now, what I would do is apply some common sense logic. You've already ruled out two of the major infections that could cause your furbabies problems...rabies and distemper. Now, fleas...that's an easy cure right. A bath (not flea type) and some combing to make sure there are none in it's coat. Ok that out of the way. I wouldn't place a baby anything with ferrets. They play hard and they might hurt it...that being said, I believe that it's standard that small kittens should never be placed with ferrets either. Ferrets might kill the kittens so I would hold it true for your new little friend the opposum. So from there, I would think worrying about how your going to house this little lost soul and how you're going to feed him might be my greater concern (also if your ferrets are free roaming how to keep them apart)
Just a few ideas on my part. I've never encountered an oppossum but I've heard they've actually crossed the border up here and are trucking their way north so I may yet get to see some of these little creature here
ciao

[tss]

The possum is mybe half the size of the ferrets right now and they can get upto 15 pounds, but normally they are between the 5 and 15 mark.

I'm not sure if possums are playful but I would be conserned about it being with the ferrets because I could see Lilly killing it. For long term housing there is a room in our basement that we are planning on fixing up as like a living room so if we keep it we can have it in there, we will be putting a wall up. And probably before December. The ferrets are free raom during the day but only in one bedroom.

The baby is fast asleep, they are nocternal so it should be awale Tonight. We've got some water, wet cat food and chopped apple in there.

I think the goal should be to get the dogs to leave it alone, at first the dogs wanted to eat the ferrets now they don't care but I still wouldn't trust them without a supervisor.

[pear2apple]

I've heard oppossums can be vicious, this may just be a rumor, but their teeth freak me out. I wouldn't let them play together for that reason, as well as the chance either would bite the other, and that could get ugly.

Here's a website you should check out forums.exotichobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=41

Exotic Hobbyist is where I went searching for a pet and decided on ferrets after I ruled out cats, dogs, and bunnies. My boyfriend goes here for snake information, so I know they are smart with good info!

[tsslilsis]

Our friend has been an animal control officer for a real long time. We were talking to him after the first opossum incident and he said that opossums are extremely docile animals. He was saying that they put off a very mean image but it is VERY rare for them to actually hurt anyone. I think it is funny how this one holds his mouth open and looks at you. But since he is young it will be easy to domesticate him (if that is what is decided).

He kind of grosses me out ATM. I don't want to touch him as he reminds me of a ratty sewer animal or something. Has nothing to do with the tail, its just that the fur looks disgusting.. Not soft and luxirious like dog or ferret fur.

As Maria and I were putting him in the cage I kept saying I smelt something that smelt disgusting. Like a nasty horse or something. She found out that when they are disturbed and play dead they spray from their anal glands which is supposed to smell of rotting meat so the animal attacking them will think they are dead and rotten and leave them alone. THAT IS SO GROSS!!!!!!!!!

-~Ketlin

[pear2apple]

Opossums are nice? Thats good to know! I guess its the teeth that make them scary.

Hopefully he doesn't poof often, because that could get REALLY gross!!!

[suds]

I have to say I nevr heard of anyone wanting to keep a possum as a pet , they are very ugly and fearce looking animals lol. Teeth look like they can saw a iron pipe, but mostly they are very docile unless like every animal gets cornered , We used to get them alot on our stairs , 1 time late at night my sister came home in the dark and picked up a possum thinking it was her cat when she turned the light on the scream was insane she woke up our nieghbors even and peed her pants the poor possum just laid in her arms like a baby the whole time , I use to use gloves to pick them up and remove them from our porch never once did they try to bite mostly just would freese then run away once you put them down , I never seen one poof though .
goodluck on your rescue

[tss]

The baby was released lastnight, I loved the thing and would have loved to keep it but it just didn't seem fair. She loved being petted, even during the first night here she did.

It was so cute watching her eat her raw chicken, she was holding it with her humman like hand while she munched away
We also fed her peach, apple, wet cat food, tomato and a little bit of fruit cheerieos. She ate LOTS.

I miss her

[Heather]

I'm sorry that you had to set your little furchild free.
ciao

[suds]

did you release him near your home or take him to a wild life refuge ? I think its best to let him free and live the way they are ment to be great job I know its hard sometime alway wonder and worry what will happen

[tss]

We let her back out in the front yard, hopefully the dogs won't be so agressive if they see it since they got to see and smell it while we had it.

[suds]

well you have a good chance of seing him again they normaly dont migrate to far generaly stay in a small area unless food supply runs out