I Found A Nest Of Baby Opossums, What Should I Do Now?

With the opossums’ natural habitat constantly shrinking, it isn’t unusual to stumble across a nest of babies. Sometimes the mother goes out to forage for food and becomes dinner for a predator. Many also end up dead on roadways or in ditches.

This leaves the vulnerable babies all alone and waiting for their mother to return. The babies will not leave, they will wait for their mother. If their mother does not return, the babies typically die waiting.

To properly protect yourself and give the babies the best chance for survival, it helps to know a little about them. Understanding their habits and their lifecycle will help you transport and care for the babies safely.

Baby Opossum Habits

Opossums can have anywhere from eight to twenty-five young up to three times per year. Unfortunately, the young don’t always all live. They are born with their eyes closed. The ones that are lucky enough to nurse are the ones who make it.

After nursing, the young climb into their mother’s pouch. Depending on the specific breed and geographical location, the young may live in their mother’s pouch for two to three months. They eventually ween themselves and climb out of the pouch. At this stage, the babies ride on their mother’s back until they become completely independent.

Caring For Young Opossums

Young opossums are about the size of a small mouse or rat. Their size can be quite deceiving. Typically, a young opossum can survive on its own once it is about seven inches long from nose to tail. Before then, they need round the clock care.

If you attempt to care for or shelter young opossums while getting help, it is important to take the proper precautions. You should still wear long, thick gloves. Even young opossums have all fifty teeth and sharp claws. They carry many different diseases, parasites and pathogens that can make you extremely ill.

If the mother is dead, or nowhere to be found, it is best to put the tiny creatures in a small box or container. It should be lined with soft cloth to keep them warm and mimic the mother’s pouch. This will do until an experienced wildlife rehabber can care for them.

Contact someone immediately. Young opossums must nurse regularly and will quickly dehydrate. Their genitals must also be stimulated for them to defecate. Young opossums require extensive care that should only be administered by professionals.


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