Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Virginia Opossum

Don’t try to renest these babies!

This little guy came in with our first group of orphaned Virginia Opossums. Opossums are some of the only true “orphans” we get in for care.

While many wild babies may be assumed orphaned but can’t be confirmed, Virginia Opossum “joeys” are often found on their deceased mother, either in her pouch, on her, or nearby.

Unlike other species we care for, Virginia Opossum mothers generally will not return for their babies. Reuniting is only successful in very specific situations—please call us, or a local rehabber, as soon as you find a baby!

Joeys spend a lot of time growing with their mother and are finally able to be independent when they’re 4 to 5 months old and about 7″ in length, not including the tail.

If you find a joey smaller than 7″ by themselves, please get that baby safely contained in a container, keep them warm, dark, and quiet, and call your local rehabilitator ASAP!

Lastly, keep an eye out for hit-by-car moms. While mom may be deceased, babies can survive on her for hours to days, depending on their age and condition. If it’s safe to do so, checking a deceased mother’s pouch for young could save a life (or up to 13 lives)!

Please be careful of traffic and road safety though—you can’t help wildlife if you get hurt in the process!

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