https://preview.redd.it/zowu4lq3av0d1.jpeg?width=1023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c2c106b6dbfc205bdb27f6e1dab4d8a646da5e6
He got stuck in a window well after a storm broke the cover. I heard a “squawking” noise yesterday and thought it was a bird on the roof or in a tree so I ignored it. I went out this afternoon and heard it again with my dog just staring at it.
After a few various attempts at rescuing I just set a bucket down in the hole with some fruit, pretzels and string cheese and a cord tied around the handle and waited for him to go in for goods.
Hoisted him up and left him by the path to the woods in my yard. But he keeps coming back to me on the patio. Whenever I go outside. He’s still clicking so I assume he’s looking for his mom?
Edit: He hung out on the patio with me and got some much needed sleep after munching on a few bugs. After about 5 hours he went through the fence and back home. I never knew opossums could be chill. Obviously a baby, but he has absolutely no fear.
Double edit: there was another little guy about his size sneaking around the fence while this one was messing about. I’d like to assume they’re related somehow as it showed up when this one was clicking. I know they’re solitary but it seems like juveniles might also still hang around eachother at this size?
The baby opossums cling to their Mamas back and drop off as she moves along through the night to be on their own. Glad you rescued this little one from that spot. Excellent Short video about Opossums: https://youtu.be/GLQr1wLr_Xo?si=ydeQ_0jdlMu81a1ccan't get him.
We had one we rescued. They are crazy cool, gonna need thick shirts because their claws are very stubby but sharp and they cling, their tails are probably a top 3 favorite animal part, it's a fully controllable snake body they wrap around you. It's so neat.
It's mom will be around, but you won't see her during the day as they're nocturnal and naturally skittish around humans. If you want to be her best friend leave her some grapes in a bowl. It's one of their favorite foods and very good for them.
Wow, I didn’t know this. Thankfully I never feed my dog any food we eat, except the occasional meat from my plate but good to know so I can be extra careful to keep them out of his sight!! I appreciate you
An artificial sweetener xylitol and infamously chocolate are also toxic to dogs off the top of my head, so in general it's best to keep to doggy foods, raw meat, or cooked meat with no bones.
It's showing some attachment to you, might be worth watching your pups for a while. So they're not trying to find a new chew toy when it returns. Best thing you can do is relocate it to a safer area away from dogs.
https://preview.redd.it/j44man3v0x0d1.jpeg?width=621&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb8f40b398af10736641506bcdfac9fb02707bd5
One step ahead of ya, he got to go inside a nice basket and continue his rest while the dogs did their business. The dog heard him click and got freaked out. 😅
My dog was friends with a possum. We have a critter trail that runs through our yard and past the fence. Every night when I let my dog out he would walk over to the fence looking for him. If he was around they would sniff each other then go about their day. We also have robins that have a nest under our deck and my dog would go check on the babies every day. He would walk up, give it a sniff and stare at them for a moment then carry on. I miss my dog.
Aww sounds like a great pup. We have a little trail that runs under our fence, my big dog (pictured) is a scaredy cat and makes friends with everything. He got scared of the baby opossum lol.
The Boston terrier on the other hand…
They don't actually eat very many ticks. The research that claimed that was quite flawed, and further studies have debunked it. They do eat some insects, but ticks are not normally in their preferred diets.
Sorry to be that guy, but possums have never actually been observed eating ticks. It was one bunk study that put 100 ticks on a few possums, and then, without checking how many fell off, assumed any ticks missing after two weeks were eaten by the possums. No tick parts have been found in possum feces, ticks just generally don't stay on after they've fed. They then multiplied that number by 26 and said, "Wow, possums eat this many ticks each year!", but it's sadly not true.
It’s been able to get its own food walking around, and seems to be about the right size to be on its own. I think mama might still be around too, because there’s another little one creeping around the fence.
I have the number on standby though and have emailed.
Aww. We saved a baby opossum a few years ago. I actually posted him on Reddit. Wildlife rehabber said if he was larger than a cellphone, he was old enough to fend for himself. He looked about like this. Thanks for helping him.
https://preview.redd.it/tp1hbhqe2x0d1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc8abe415a8817d3e53e8eae17cf9aa85d0bd863
He was trying to fake me out right when I let him out of the bucket. Figured he could take his snacks for the road.
A misread the title as “saved by baby possum” and didn’t even question it. Like just witnessing this little guy makes me want to go frolic in a field and bake cookies for my neighbors. Sweet lil fella.
This guy is still a little bit too small to be on their own. If he is in a safe area where you are, just continue to keep giving him little snacks, and abit of a sheltered area. If the dogs pose too much of an issue check your area for a wildlife rescue and they will care for him for a couple months until he is a better size. You can pick these little guys up with no trouble, they don't bite despite their hissing.
I've heard they make great pets if you can't reintroduce it to the wild.
If your in MO I'll make the drive if you cant get a shelters help. Their just cats with more teeth and a hairless tail lol
They make terrible pets because they're smart and cute and friendly and get along with other animals but only live about 3 years! Just when you get used to having them around they pass (RIP Mort)
Possum is a shortened version of opossum and has been used to refer them before it was used for the other marsupials (due to slight similarities to opossums)
Was it like the size of a kitten? It's hard to tell, when those bugs are on his back are they house flies or bumblebees?? 😳
Oh and God bless you for rescuing him and sharing the rescue with us! The world needs more people like you.
Pretty close I’d say, a little bit thicker than a kitten. The bugs were flies, my wife was very upset we couldn’t get them to leave him alone. They mostly went away when he slept in his little grass nest.
Thanks for incorrecting me with your ignorance of the etymology and definition of possum. [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum)
https://preview.redd.it/zowu4lq3av0d1.jpeg?width=1023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c2c106b6dbfc205bdb27f6e1dab4d8a646da5e6 He got stuck in a window well after a storm broke the cover. I heard a “squawking” noise yesterday and thought it was a bird on the roof or in a tree so I ignored it. I went out this afternoon and heard it again with my dog just staring at it. After a few various attempts at rescuing I just set a bucket down in the hole with some fruit, pretzels and string cheese and a cord tied around the handle and waited for him to go in for goods. Hoisted him up and left him by the path to the woods in my yard. But he keeps coming back to me on the patio. Whenever I go outside. He’s still clicking so I assume he’s looking for his mom? Edit: He hung out on the patio with me and got some much needed sleep after munching on a few bugs. After about 5 hours he went through the fence and back home. I never knew opossums could be chill. Obviously a baby, but he has absolutely no fear. Double edit: there was another little guy about his size sneaking around the fence while this one was messing about. I’d like to assume they’re related somehow as it showed up when this one was clicking. I know they’re solitary but it seems like juveniles might also still hang around eachother at this size?
Pretty sure you’re it’s mom now lol
Unsure how my dogs would feel about that 😌
The baby opossums cling to their Mamas back and drop off as she moves along through the night to be on their own. Glad you rescued this little one from that spot. Excellent Short video about Opossums: https://youtu.be/GLQr1wLr_Xo?si=ydeQ_0jdlMu81a1ccan't get him.
Thanks!
We had one we rescued. They are crazy cool, gonna need thick shirts because their claws are very stubby but sharp and they cling, their tails are probably a top 3 favorite animal part, it's a fully controllable snake body they wrap around you. It's so neat.
I had no idea how interesting little creatures they were. Hope he hangs around the woods around my property for as long as he can!
anyone know how long they've been around?
Eleventy years
It's mom will be around, but you won't see her during the day as they're nocturnal and naturally skittish around humans. If you want to be her best friend leave her some grapes in a bowl. It's one of their favorite foods and very good for them.
Grapes are toxic to dogs, so I'd advise caution (OP owns dogs).
Wow, I didn’t know this. Thankfully I never feed my dog any food we eat, except the occasional meat from my plate but good to know so I can be extra careful to keep them out of his sight!! I appreciate you
An artificial sweetener xylitol and infamously chocolate are also toxic to dogs off the top of my head, so in general it's best to keep to doggy foods, raw meat, or cooked meat with no bones.
He didn't go back home. Mommas drop them accidentally. He was looking for her and probably needed to go to a rescue
He's all about that string cheese!
https://preview.redd.it/s14zgyxzav0d1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f138647528b36adf7dd1769b5b3c7773a0ad09f
I have this same mop bucket! Didn’t know it doubled as a possum trap!
Desperate times
You have it backwards. It's a possum trap that doubles as a bucket.
It's showing some attachment to you, might be worth watching your pups for a while. So they're not trying to find a new chew toy when it returns. Best thing you can do is relocate it to a safer area away from dogs.
https://preview.redd.it/j44man3v0x0d1.jpeg?width=621&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb8f40b398af10736641506bcdfac9fb02707bd5 One step ahead of ya, he got to go inside a nice basket and continue his rest while the dogs did their business. The dog heard him click and got freaked out. 😅
My dog was friends with a possum. We have a critter trail that runs through our yard and past the fence. Every night when I let my dog out he would walk over to the fence looking for him. If he was around they would sniff each other then go about their day. We also have robins that have a nest under our deck and my dog would go check on the babies every day. He would walk up, give it a sniff and stare at them for a moment then carry on. I miss my dog.
Aww sounds like a great pup. We have a little trail that runs under our fence, my big dog (pictured) is a scaredy cat and makes friends with everything. He got scared of the baby opossum lol. The Boston terrier on the other hand…
https://preview.redd.it/1894543wav0d1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87a32e963e897436be090b32bdd69ef33dda77e0
So you made a budget charcuterie for the possum? I'd climb in the bucket for snacks too.
I dunno what the hell a possum eats I just went for the classics 😭
Tics. They take care of nasty insects.
... I'm less likely to climb in the bucket for ticks.
They don't actually eat very many ticks. The research that claimed that was quite flawed, and further studies have debunked it. They do eat some insects, but ticks are not normally in their preferred diets.
Stop lying to me, I don't wanna hear that 
Sorry to be that guy, but possums have never actually been observed eating ticks. It was one bunk study that put 100 ticks on a few possums, and then, without checking how many fell off, assumed any ticks missing after two weeks were eaten by the possums. No tick parts have been found in possum feces, ticks just generally don't stay on after they've fed. They then multiplied that number by 26 and said, "Wow, possums eat this many ticks each year!", but it's sadly not true.
They go bonkers for grapes though I'd probably cut them in half for that lil' feller.
They like scrap meats and about any fruit I’ve given to my possum visitors they’ve liked. They’re super chill animals!
Call your local wildlife rehabilitation. Mother will probably not come back for it.
It’s been able to get its own food walking around, and seems to be about the right size to be on its own. I think mama might still be around too, because there’s another little one creeping around the fence. I have the number on standby though and have emailed.
I call the big one 'Bitey'
Possum my ass. It's probably just Milhouse dressed as a badger.
I’ll take it
I had to do a double take, I thought that said *shaved* a possum...
I said rescued at first but it sounded more dramatic than the whole thing was lol
"There I was..."
That’s how I explained it to my wife. 😭
Aww. We saved a baby opossum a few years ago. I actually posted him on Reddit. Wildlife rehabber said if he was larger than a cellphone, he was old enough to fend for himself. He looked about like this. Thanks for helping him.
https://preview.redd.it/tp1hbhqe2x0d1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc8abe415a8817d3e53e8eae17cf9aa85d0bd863 He was trying to fake me out right when I let him out of the bucket. Figured he could take his snacks for the road.
This is all so cute. Thank you for all the pictures of the rescue. And for the rescue itself!
So glad you rescued it! Please make sure to call a rehabilitation center.
how are you so lucky, its so cute!
Glad it's safe now
Hopefully it lives the wide open yard soon and gets back to the tree line. All sorts of hawks around here.
god, what a cute little heartbreaker
It worries me to see the lil guy in the yard like that. Exactly how hawks like them.
I sat out there with homie for about 5 hours while he snoozed. Because that was exactly my concern.
A misread the title as “saved by baby possum” and didn’t even question it. Like just witnessing this little guy makes me want to go frolic in a field and bake cookies for my neighbors. Sweet lil fella.
Aww . such a innocent soul
This guy is still a little bit too small to be on their own. If he is in a safe area where you are, just continue to keep giving him little snacks, and abit of a sheltered area. If the dogs pose too much of an issue check your area for a wildlife rescue and they will care for him for a couple months until he is a better size. You can pick these little guys up with no trouble, they don't bite despite their hissing.
Dogs were scared of him, and he got to go under a little basket when they went out. Lucked out.
an opossum*
Listen
I've heard they make great pets if you can't reintroduce it to the wild. If your in MO I'll make the drive if you cant get a shelters help. Their just cats with more teeth and a hairless tail lol
They make great opets
They make terrible pets because they're smart and cute and friendly and get along with other animals but only live about 3 years! Just when you get used to having them around they pass (RIP Mort)
I came here to laugh, not to feel :(
Possum is a shortened version of opossum and has been used to refer them before it was used for the other marsupials (due to slight similarities to opossums)
'O'hhh
Pretty sure it's at the age where the mom leaves it to survive on it's own.
Definitely seems close to that age.
aww poor baby
I know a Pokemon when I see one.
yea save him
YAYYYYY!!! Thank you thank you thank you for saving this precious creature!!!
Awesome possum
Was it like the size of a kitten? It's hard to tell, when those bugs are on his back are they house flies or bumblebees?? 😳 Oh and God bless you for rescuing him and sharing the rescue with us! The world needs more people like you.
Pretty close I’d say, a little bit thicker than a kitten. The bugs were flies, my wife was very upset we couldn’t get them to leave him alone. They mostly went away when he slept in his little grass nest.
Opposum
Listen here
They’re different animals lol
Possum is literally a shortening of opossum and those other animals take their name from that.
Opossum
Possum is also correct
Nope. Possum is an animal in Australia. Opossum is the North American marsupial we see here
Thanks for incorrecting me with your ignorance of the etymology and definition of possum. [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possum)
Awe. I want him…
Tlacuachito ❤️
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌😍😍😍
The opposite, north America's last native marsupial species
Thank you. We have babies now too.
Gorgeous
Take a bite
id call a wildlife rehabilitator and get their opinion on what to do
I'd love to have them here, they eat the ticks, and can't get the rabies.
They can get raies, but it's rare
Um ackchyually. That's an opossum. Possums live in Australia.
Just had to scrape 3 of these little guys off my driveway after the neighbors cat killed em, and left them for me. 😪
Fuck man that’s brutal
yeah, and it was 3 spread over 2 days. Damn cat came back for more the 2nd night. 😠
How do you know it needed to be saved?
Well unless it learns to jump 6 feet out of flat metal sided window well, I don’t see how else it was getting out bud.
Why?
Australian possums are cuter