Permits must be obtained before trapping possums. Omega Pet Food Product Background. At first, the animal can adapt to living with people. Opossum attacks are rare, but they do take place, which is why having a possum as a pet is not such a good idea. However, when Australia was colonized by Europeans, they took this word and applied it to another type of marsupial which is found there, but not in the Americas. In this article we are talking about the North American possum, but it would be just as accurate to ask can you keep an opossum as a pet? Possums are defined as a pest under most regional pest management plans in New Zealand. They are marsupials with prehensile tails, making them very good climbers. It is essential to strike a balance in order to remain healthy. There are two colour forms of the species - grey and black, with many vari… In most of the country, it’s A possum. It's illegal to keep possums in captivity in Northland but possum lovers say they make "highly intelligent, lovely pets". It is important to be patient with these possums and permit them to smell you before picking them up. The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, was first introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur trade. Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to establish a fur industry. We use minced possum meat in our Lamb and Possum adult dog food as wild caught NZ Possum is an excellent source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. In 1921 the Government made it illegal to bring any more possums to New Zealand. When speaking of true possums, i.e. This release was unsuccessful and a second release 20 years later at the same Southland location was required for them to establish. ... No pet possum either. Yes you can. So it isn’t a good idea to have a possum if you have parrots. In general, it is not recommended to keep possums as pets. Instead, I had to bury him after a long, hard death. Possums have a voracious appetite for our native trees and plants. The opossum is an omnivore. Symptoms of Labor, Teaching a Child to Care for a Pet: Guidelines and Tips, Caring for Puppy Dogs: Guidelines and Tips, How to Get a Dog to Sleep - Tips and Home Remedies, How to Take Care of a Short-Haired Guinea Pig. According to the article "keeping him in captivity" will make him aggressive and is not the best choice? Virginia possums run up about £500 each for babies, more for adults. Another Kaitaia woman who didn't wish to be named, said she grew up with a young possum after it was found curled up in her father's army coat pocket. In general, it is not recommended to keep possums as pets. The diet is varied including corn and poultry. READ MORE: *Temuka woman's beloved pet possum goes missing *Possum punch video 'animal cruelty': Environment Canterbury, SPCA *Luna the baby possum bids farewell to her 'mother' who saved her *Pet possum safely home after lolly lure *Secret possum rescuers: the people who love a hated New Zealand pest. Opossums can be encountered in the backyard and pose a threat to pets and humans. In the wild, the possum is usually docile and will not attack you without confrontation. If you don't have the dedication and time commitment it takes to raise an opossum, find a wild life rehabber ASAP. & you dont have to find them all* but it would be cool if you could find as many as possible. Possums are established over more than 90% of New Zealand and are a very serious problem. 1. Mysterious metal monolith pops up in Christchurch, the latest home to the global phenomenon, Mystery surrounds boat ordered to leave Fiordland, Questions raised after police officers stop youths to take their photos. The Brush-tailed Possum [Trichosurus vulpecula] is a marsupial or pouched mammal. Even when confronted with a predator, they will use the infamous "playing possum" technique to appear dead and avoid an actual brawl. "I do understand why you aren't allowed to keep them - they are an introduced animal and they do create a lot of damage. Transforming a possum into a pet can be an expensive proposition and one fraught with dangers for these animals. These creatures are a similar size and have similar behavior, but are not the same species. They will wander around and snoop at everything eating bugs and such. Grey possums are more common in … Contact us for your local agent. Keeping Possums as Pets: Why Possums Are Good for Nature. Possums are also prone to disease, death, and infections in captivity. To keep the opossum/possum legally, a wildlife rehabilitation permit is needed from the state. HE'S ONE OF VERY FEW IN NEW ZEALAND KEPT AS PETS, PERFECTLY LEGALLY. 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