Although they are not the most popular option in the country, many people in the United States are now keeping possums as pets. Also called opossums, the animals have a wide range and are found in many areas across the nation. They have proliferated for a number of reasons. They reproduce rapidly and are able to digest nearly all manner of foods, making them omnivores that will eat indiscriminately. There are many different species that exist, but the choice for possums as pets is usually the Virginia possum. Before deciding to bring a new possum into the family home, it is essential to learn more about this type of animal.
The legality of possums as pets will differ from region to region. A person will need to check with local government offices to make sure they are abiding by the law by keeping possums as pets. In the state of West Virginia, it is permissible, but a person will need to pay $2 to obtain a permit to do so. Failure to buy the permit will cause a $500 fine to be issued. If it is legal in a person’s region to keep possums as pets, they can be an excellent addition to the family if cared for properly.
The possum is not naturally suited to domestication, but can adept rapidly if food is provided. There are some situations where keeping a possum could have negative consequences. A person that owns horses should should not adopt a possum as a pet. While they rarely carry diseases that could affect humans, the animal is known to harbor a parasite that can lead to equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, in horses. In addition, the possum can spread parasites to parrots that are kept as pets. This is more common among old world parrots than new world parrots. Also, because a possum can bite when it feels it is being attacked, it is probably better to keep the creature away from small children that could be easily injured. On the other hand, the possum can be very loyal to an owner that provides food on a regular basis. They are very different from cats or dogs and many people garner much enjoyment from having a possum as a family pet.
When feeding a pet possum, the common perception of a possum eating everything is only half true. While the animal will most likely eat anything that is set in front of it, choosing bad foods will affect the creature’s health. Possums are best fed using fresh fruits and vegetables. Too much dairy products can cause a possum to become overweight and limit the animal’s physical movement capabilities. Other common health problems to watch for in a pet possum are dehydration and diarrhea. Both of these are usually due to a diet change and it is important to make sure that the animal has enough water.