INJURED OPOSSUMS Shovel or herd the injured opossum into a garbage can with a locking lid or into a pet carrier, and bring to NN. Opossums have 50 teeth, so do not pick up the opossum. Opossums can reach around and bite if picked up by the tail, so do not do so. You should wear a jacket and heavy leather gloves when rescuing an opossum. Opossums rarely carry disease but can bite. DEAD OPOSSUM WITH BABIES If an opossum is dead with young in her pouch, either pull the young from the pouch or to scoop the dead opossum into a box with the young in the pouch, and to call us immediately to bring it in. Supplemental heat (hot water bottles) are helpful. Opossums do occasionally drop their young. If a young opossum is eight inches long (not counting the tail) it is on its own. If it is smaller, it may need to be rescued. It may be helpful to send in a photo to help determine age. Young opossums do not have a suckling reflex like other mammals. As marsupials, they attach themselves to a thin nipple and do not release until they are old enough to leave the pouch. NN uses special methods to feed young opossums since they will starve if bottle fed. Please do not try to feed/raise them on your own; not only is it illegal for you to possess the opossum, you will not be able to properly feed it. NUISANCE OPOSSUMS Many people mistakenly equate opossums with rats and so wish to destroy or remove them even when they are doing no harm. The harmless opossum residing in the area can be replaced by something worse if it is removed (like a raccoon or skunk). They are beneficial animals that eat thousands of ticks and don’t harbor diseases, and are nomads so they are on the move to find food most of the time. If you still want to be rid of an opossum read below. Remove all food sources—bring in pet food dishes, keep garbage indoors until pick-up day, remove bird feeders ect.  In an attic or building –place ammonia- soaked rags, play loud music, run a fan, and/or shine a bright light in the opossum’s sleeping area. Since opossum sleep in the day, use these methods during the day. Once the opossum has gone, the entry hole should be immediately sealed. If opossums are found in a structure such as a garage in the daytime, the homeowner should leave the door open in the evening and the animal will leave. Close the door after it leaves. Opossums are also omnivorous, and are attracted to almost any type of food—like cat food!