Rosie the Opossum is a Mightly Big Deal!

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Contact Information
Contact Marjan Ghadrdan

Country: United States

Species: Virginia Opossum

Is rehabilitation complete?: yes

This animal has potential as a :

off-site education animal
static display animal

This animal is: captive reared

Age: juvenile

Reason for entering rehabilitation.:

raised by an unlicensed individual for some time before being brought in for professional care; during her time with original rescuer, she received an inadequate diet resulting in her developing metabolic bone disease

Days in care: 100

Issues developed while undergoing rehabilitation.:

n/a

Body condition score (5 point scale as defined on https://nagonline.net/3877/body-condition-scoring/): 3

Can the animal express species-typical behaviors (e.g. eat appropriate whole foods, climb, perch, groom, dig, fly, swim, ambulate normally for species)?:

very slightly altered mobility but is able to climb, walk, etc.

Can the animal be handled without negative welfare affects?: yes

This is how the animal currently reacts when a frequent caregiver nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

calm/habituated

This is how the animal currently reacts when a stranger nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

calm/habituated

This animal is currently house : alone

Will the animal need continuous medical care (e.g. medication)?: no

Physical health welfare assessment: good life

Mental/emotional health welfare assessment: good life

More Information

Sweet little Rosie arrived at our center after accidentally being left behind by mom and she quickly stole our hearts! She was kept by her original rescuer for some time, causing her to develop metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to improper nutrition. Although MBD has given Rosie a short stature and limited her mobility some, she enjoys a good quality of life and loves special snacks as a reward for good handling. She is still a little shy when being handled but gets more confident every day.

Rosie climbs and walks well and is fully mobile. The only special consideration needed for her enclosure would be a potentially softer substrate to avoid irritating the more sensitive parts of her paws that touch the ground due to slight abnormalities in her front limbs.

If you are interested in this opossum, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to provide more information or answer any questions. Serious inquiries only. Email is the best way to reach our staff for inquiries about this animal: marjan@awarewildlife.org or nicolekolesar@awarewildlife.org. For your convenience, her reference number is 26-0739.

Please do not let distance stand in the way of bringing her home; we are always happy to help coordinate travel for nonreleasable animals.

Thank you for taking the time to read this ad and consider giving this opossum the safe, comfortable home she deserves.

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