They will also enjoy a hamster wheel to run on. They will breed in any season, and can have up to 4 litters a year. Short-tailed opossum, (genus Monodelphis), any of more than 20 species of small, mouse- and shrew-sized, insectivorous and carnivorous, terrestrial opossums (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae, tribe Marmosini). Live food such as crickets and mealworms can give them an excellent opportunity to hunt and forage. In the wild it is found in areas of Boliva, Brazil and Paraquay. For younger opossums that are not too strong, one without a steel ball works best. Since fights over territory or during breeding can be serious and even fatal, breeding them in captivity can be extremely difficult. Short Tail Possums for sale. A picture of a possum playing dead doesn’t … Brazilian short tailed opossums are one of my favorite pets. and a weight of 10 g (3/8 oz.). Fresh fruits need to be cut up into small pieces so they can pick them up easily. Keep the temperature between 68° - 88° F. and at least a 50% humidity, a little on the warmer side is best for mothers with babies. Short Tailed Opossums, also referred to as STO's, are small and very cute. This order consists of more than 103 that are further classified into 19 genera. It is because of their biolo… Background: Opossums range from 3 to 6 1/2 inches long with a tail that is 1.5 to 3 inches long. my email is sammie007@hughes.net Thank you Sammie, New litter of squirrels available now. Social Behaviors: The Opossums or possums are the small marsupial mammals that fall under the order Didelphimorphia.    Short Tail Opossums are very hardy little creatures. Description: Availability/Purchasing your Short Tailed Opossum: Dr. What happens when short tailed opossums are born? Size and weight of possums vary greatly depending upon the habitat and species. Young opossums should be housed separately by the time they reach 9 weeks of age. They are a lot like humans in that sense. 14 days. There are a variety of marsupials including such creatures as kangaroos, Sugar Gliders, Wombats, Ringtail Possums, and Tasmanian Devils. And they are very near-sighted, so even your hand WILL frighten them.    Short Tailed possums are sexually mature at about 4 to 5 months of age. The fur is a thick velvety gray-brown on top with a lighter tone underneath. Short-tailed opossums do not have a pouch like most other marsupial species and because of this, the neonates cling to the nipple.    Provide your Short Tailed Opossum with fresh water daily in a water bottle. Handling and Training: Short Tailed opossums question. Most ailments are preventable simply from taking proper care of the animal. ∙ They are nocturnal but are easily interacted with most any time of day. Breeding/Reproduction: They weigh from 2 to 3 ounces. Ailments/Treatments: On the flip side families that have a lot of exotic pets with young children seem to handle and care for these little guys with a lot more care. This can be quite involved, so needs some careful planning to avoid selective feeding. They do not store any personal information, and we use them to deliver a better user experience to you. A good age to acquire your pet is between 3 and 4 months of age, though even some adults will adjust to being handled. At about 4 weeks of age, they young will begin to wander about the nest. They readily welcome them as they have a great appetite for unwanted pests such as insects, rodents, and even scorpions. It is best attempted only be experienced keepers. STO's are about 4-6 inches long, with a prehensile tail. Because of this they are sometimes referred to as "House Opossums".    A Short Tailed Opossum can become a friendly docile pet that can easily be handled by people and is curious, active, and entertaining. Housing the Short-Tailed Opossum . They are nocturnal and do best as a solitary pet. In New Zealand, adult possums typically grow between 65 and 95 cm in length, and can weigh anywhere between 3.09 – 14.11 pounds (1.4 and 6.4 kg). This animal is clearly not a cat. Could you please email me your information, and some of your own personal opinions about them and how you would prefer for them to be taken care of (preference in diet, living area, etc.) Other articles where South American gray short-tailed opossum is discussed: short-tailed opossum: …few species are long-lived (a gray short-tailed opossum [Monodelphis domestica] lived 49 months in captivity); others live only long enough for the female to bear and wean a single litter (semelparous). Email: northernharvest44@gmail.com, I will like too buy two squirrel's a red on and a gray one my gmail is wbrandi629@gmail.com Is $200 a Nuff if not gmail me wbrandi629@gmail.com ok, I'm looking for a male Himalayan Rabbit with black ears, Please Help, I am looking to buy a leaf muntjac deer, and am willing to travel where ever to purchase one. Possums have really hardy immune systems and are resistant to rabies.    A mature Short Tailed Opossum will reach a body length of about 4" - 6" (10 - 15 cm) with a tail that is about 1 1/2" - 3" (4 - 7.5 cm) and will weigh between 2 - 5 ozs (60 - 150 g). They are solitary in the wild and have clearly marked territories so in captivity must be kept alone. Babies are born premature, pink, and hairless. embryos crawl to abdomen find and attach to teat teat swells and keeps neonate for 30 days Never pull pup from teat. Short tailed opossums spend most of the day light hours sleeping in their hide, so younger children seem to get bored after a while. They are considered a marsupial even though they don’t have a pouch. They will be weaned at about 8 weeks of age. Does anybody keep them, if so how? Natives call them "cachita" and consider them to be good luck. Short-tailed Opossums are wild animals, not domesticated. A short-tailed opossum is not a rodent as many of you may assume. Also, if a baby becomes detached, the nipple is enlarged and the baby will be unable to re-attach. The temperature of the enclosure should be kept at 70 to 80 F. Thanks. Both males and females make equally good pets. Although essentially nocturnal can have some periods of activity during the day. Short-tailed opossums are marsupials, but do not have the pouch that is usually typical. In their native countries they live close to humans and are frequently found living in houses. They need a draft free warm environment. At this time they will still rely on their mothers milk for around another 4 weeks. They are nocturnal and, therefore, more active at night. Please contact me at kafoanis1@gmail.com Or text at (972) 318-4783, Photo � Animal-World: Courtesy Robin White. You WILL get bit, and bit hard enough to draw blood. ∙ They are small animals growing to about 4-7" long with males being larger than females. 5 Categories That Constitute Short-tailed Opossum Diet (What Do Short-tailed Opossums Eat?) Activities - Exercise and Play: The incisors are very small, the canines large, and the molars are tricuspid. A genus of short-tailed OPOSSUMS in the family Didelphidae found in South American, chiefly BrazilThey are opossums least well-adapted to arboreal life. High quality dry Cat food for adult short-tailed opossum and High quality dry Kitten food for young short-tailed opossum. Cage mates will eventually become aggressive toward one another, possibly killing each other. How long do short tailed opossums estus last? Then there’s the South American short-tailed opossum. It is around 4-6 inches long with a prehensile, hairless tail. The dental formula is: 5.1.3.44.1.3.4 × 2 = 50 teeth. Remove Advertisements. Males are usually bigger than the females. I have a male and female eastern gray squirrel for a new home. (see recommendations below) Treats such as insects, meal worms and cooked eggs (You can get Freeze dried cricket/grasshoppers, super worms. They are friendly and inquisitive. They are natives of the South American region. In the wild they have head-body length of 12 to 18 cm (4.7 to 7.1 in) and weigh 58 to 95 grams (2.0 to 3.4 oz); males are larger than females. Brazilian Short-Tailed Opossum (STO) Information & Care General Information ∙ STO ( Monodelphis domestica) can live up to 4 years. However, if not taken care of properly they can become ill. Total length varies from about 11 cm (4.5 inches) in the smaller species to over 28 cm (11 inches) in the larger. Sometimes there can be up to 16 babies, but when the mother only has 13 nipples, babies that did not attach will not survive. They are shy and can bite as fast, or faster, than a snake when they are scared. Some quick and easy fruit options are the small Mott's Applesauce; Mixed Berry, Strawberry, or Tropical Blend fruit cups; or baby foods. Short tailed opossums are tidy animals but are known to escape their enclosures. They have a life span of about 4 to 8 years. Pick up is preferred however we Can ship. They have a muzzle quite like a rat, with very sharp teeth. They can be tamed if handled from a young age. Their ears are large, very thin skinned, and sensitive to sound and their eyes bulge out giving them good night vision. They will cling to the fur on their mothers back and ride around with her when ever she leaves the nest. Supplement these by offering treats of crickets or mealworms a couple times a week as well as small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Located in ohio, can ship or meet for Pick up. The smallest possum, the Tasmanian pygmy possum, has an adult head-body length of 70 mm (2 3/4 in.) they are nocturnal marsupials, i'm getting some pics.. but for the time being "Maybe someday I'll breed them and have their little kiddos running about, for now though... it's just all about Suki-da and Kisak. A well-ventilated aquarium (at least 20 gallons) with a tight-fitting lid or a narrow-mesh wire cage should work well. They are neat clean little critters and will usually pick a corner of their enclosure for a bathroom.   The Short-Tail Opossum is found mainly in Brazil and adjoining countries of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Chile and there are 17 different species. They are solitary animals however, and should be kept singly as they tend to fight with other opossums when they reach maturity. STOs (Short-tailed opossums) come from South America, south of the Amazon river, Brazil mostly. The Short Tailed Opossum belongs to the order marsupialia. The gestation period is about two weeks and the female will have a litter size of up to about 13 babies. They grow to be roughly the size of a domestic house cat and have long snouts and prehensile tails. 1-5 bugs a day is okay.) I prefer rehoming them together not as a pair. Accept cookies Cookie policy, Towards exotic rescue transport, care and vet costs. Short Tailed Opossums. In the wild it is found in areas of Boliva, Brazil and Paraquay. I have never had one of mine bite. New born babies will latch onto a nipple on their mother's stomach which then enlarges and holds the babies securely in place. They make unique and fascinating pets. 3-12 days. Short-tailed opossums are adept at escaping, so whatever enclosure is provided should be made escape-proof. "Needless to say, every Short Tailed Opossum is different. Let me begin by clarifying… There is no such thing as a domesticated opossum. Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2020. I know they do better housed on there own so if I got two jenny cages would that be ok, or are they not ideal? It is also great for carrying nesting materials and other things, but it is not weight bearing. While, to our knowledge, the ratio of rods to cones has yet to be characterized for the short-tailed opossum, other nocturnal marsupial species, such as the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) (Kolb and Wang, 1985) and Big-eared opossum (Didelphis auritis) (Ahnelt et al., 1995) have retinas with a high rod/cone ratio. Each one has its own distinct little personality. A 10 gallon or larger aquarium with a secure lid or a narrow-mess wire cage work well.   The Short Tailed Opossum is an escape artist, and must be kept in a secure enclosure. If they are awakened during the day though, they will venture out and be social. They can even be trained to use a litter-box, which makes cage cleaning much easier. Short tailed opossums are great, if you want a pet that is not cuddly and does not need your attention all of the time. The Monodelphis domestica, described here, was imported into the United States from Brazil in 1978 by the National Zoo and introduced into the pet market in 1994. It is actually a marsupial that lacks a pouch. For some fun you can include such things as clay flowerpots, pvc tubes, and other places for them to hide. Monodelphis is a genus of marsupials in the family Didelphidae, commonly referred to as short-tailed opossums.They are found throughout South America.As of January 2019, the most recently described species is M. vossi. Domestication takes many many generations of selected breeding by humans and there is a genetic difference between domestic and wild populations. Gray short-tailed opossums are relatively small animals, with a superficial resemblance to voles. 5. Short-tailed opossums are naturally arboreal and need a habitat with plenty of climbing opportunities. These animals simply dig at the soil underneath the fence, creating a pathway for them to get underneath and into yard. Some keepers have had success with using bonding pouches for young animals to help them get familiar with your scent. AN OFFENSIVE ODOR SELLS THE PERFORMANCE. It is around 4-6 inches long with a prehensile, hairless tail. Opossums are rodents that in size resemble smaller dogs-they are approximately 2.5 feet long from nose to tail and can weight from 8.5 to 13.5 pounds. The opossum is about the size of a house cat. They tend to be semi-arboreal omnivores, although there are many exceptions. Males tend to be slightly bigger than females. You can provide them a similar diet by offering mealworms, crickets, pinkie mice, fruits, vegetables, and breads. For younger opossums that are not too strong, one without a steel ball works best. Unlike most marsupials, the female does not have a pouch so the new born babies, pink and hairless, will firmly attach themselves to a nipple on their mother's stomach. Be sure to give it lots of things to climb and perch on, such as branches, parrot ladders, and ropes. I have kept and bred many species of animals in my lifetime. They are hand tamed and hand raised from birth. Provide your Short Tailed Opossum with fresh water daily in a water bottle. Iv been having a long think about something exotic for quite a while, iv toyed with the idea of quite a few but having remembered how much I loved the opossum we had at college I started to do some research. Lifespan is about 5 years. They are generally nocturnal, getting active at dusk which is great for people who have the evening hours to interact with their pet. The front legs are shorter than the hind legs. You can treat your pet with ivermectin twice a year to help prevent this, but be sure to check with you veterinarian for this and any other illnesses. Brazil has now closed their borders to exportation, so those available for pets are all bred in captivity. Other treats can include such things as super worms, hard boiled egg, scrambled egg, tuna, canned cat food, and fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also offer them a high quality cat food, other dry foods such as a ferret food, or a commercially developed food called Briskey's Short Tail Possum feed. Description: A mature Short Tailed Opossum will reach a body length of about 4" - 6" (10 - 15 cm) with a tail that is about 1 1/2" - 3" (4 - 7.5 cm) and will weigh between 2 - 5 ozs (60 - 150 g). They are 8 weeks old and at a perfect age to begin the bonding process with their new families. It is best to get one that is fairly young - between 3 and 4 months of age. Unlike many marsupials, the Short Tailed Opossum does not have a pouch. Short tailed opossums have 50 very tiny teeth within their large triangular shaped mouth, which they will open sometimes when approached. Didelphimorphs are small to medium-sized marsupials that grow to the size of a house cat. When you introduce a pair, only keep them together for about 12 days. They are quiet, active, and inquisitive, and since opossums are not rodents they generally don't gnaw on things. How long is short tailed opossums gestation? The short-tailed Opossum is part of the Didelphidae family of opossums and is a marsupial. Interested then kindly text, Baby greys available for sale! Provide corn cob, Care Fresh litter, or shavings (though not cedar) for bedding and a nest box with some nesting materials such as cotton or shredded paper. You can't base them on a group or how a group acts. This helps explain why the pairing process has to be done carefully, how long it will take for the female to enter heat, and why it is important to remove the father after successful (or unsuccessful) mating. My worlds cutest little short tailed opossums"....Robin. They will stay attached to the nipple for around 3 to 4 weeks before detaching themselves. All rights reserved. They are very self sufficient and do not need human contact. With a scientific name that means the pygmy acrobat, the fast-moving feathertail glider is the smallest of the gliding possums, weighing only 10–15 g. The most characteristic feature is its exquisite, 8 cm long feather-like tail that is the same length as its body. They also became part of the North America following the Great American Interchange. It also has sweat There, they are able to find a lot of different options for food, including your trashcan, pet bowls, and even a garden if you should have one. Care and feeding: Short Tailed Opossums. One thing to take into consideration before you decide to purchase your Short Tailed Opossum is does your veterinarian treat exotic pets? 1. Description. Short Tailed Opossums are basically odor-free and their cage only needs to be cleaned about once a week. By mammalian standards, this is an unusually full jaw. They have a hairless prehensile tail used to grasp and balance while climbing. Feeding Short-Tailed Opossums << Back to All Opossum Help & Education or Shop Opossum Products. In … They are quite inquisitive and need a variety of enrichment in their home. Opossums, Short-Tailed (n.). The males are about 25% larger than the females. £135 a pair, singles £70 please note, we advise you house these singley.. ie one per cage. Because they are naturally solitary animals, they should be housed individually. The short-tailed Opossum is part of the Didelphidae family of opossums and is a marsupial. Not all vets do, so you might want to check and make sure that there is a vet in your area that will treat your pet in case he gets sick. Males tend to be slightly bigger than females. The mother will spend the majority of her time in the nest. They can grow to about 4″ to 6″. The males are about 25% larger than the females.    The Short Tailed Opossum is nocturnal, meaning it is active at night. One reported health problem that can occasionally occur is a prolapse. Because of their nature and uniqueness, the Short Tailed Opossums make excellent pets. Dietary needs include fruit, protein and insects. I had one named Spanky for five years. Most members of this order have long snouts, a narrow braincase, and a prominent sagittal crest. They are helpless, latching on to a nipple on their mothers stomach where they will stay until they are further developed. This site uses cookies. Availability/Purchasing your Short Tailed Opossum: See more cute picturesof Kisak and suki-da.Plus Robin shares lots of good information on caring for Short Tailed Opossums! However, individuals kept in captivity are typically much larger, with males weighing up to 150 grams (5.3 oz). Males can grow up to 1/4 larger than females. They are NOT SOCIAL animals. So, I was wanting to get either a short-tailed opossum or a ferret because they both seem to be a great pets and pretty friendly but I wasn't sure which one to get. Young are born hairless and must climb up to the mothers nipples to attach themselves. They have a unique adaptation in caring for their young. The largest possum, the bear cuscus, may weigh more than 7 kg (15lb. Most probably more than once.    Find a reputable breeder or retailer to purchase from. To a possum that is no big deal at all. 6oz.). If handled at an early age they are easy to tame and become very friendly. For exercise and entertainment they will need things to climb on such as branches, ropes, or parrot ladders, and you can also give them a small hamster wheel. The only time they should be put together with other opossums is when they are being bred, and then for only a short time. They live in South and North America and they are omnivorous animals which mean that they will eat almost anything: fruit, vegetables, meat, insects, eggs, plants and grains. Jungle's Pets and Animal Speak - Newsletter, View (34) Animal Stories on Short Tailed Opossums, View (5) Buy/Sell requests on Short Tailed Opossums. Posted: (3 days ago) Short tailed opossums are one of the few true insectivores native to the Americas. She died of old age since life expectancy is not that long. Understand that female short-tailed opossums are "induced ovulators" and learn how that is different from most animals that go into heat on a regular basis.     If handled from a young age, a Short Tailed Opossum can become a loving gentle pet that generally will not bite. A special bonus to keeping a Short Tailed Opossum, they will eat unwelcome pests such as insects and rodents. In the wild they eat insects, fruits, and vegetable matter. A full-grown adult will weigh 3-4 ounces, and is 4 to 6 inches in body length with a tail about 2/3 as long as the body or occasionally as long as the body. Environment: UK Bred unrelated pairs available. They are also partially immune to the venom of many snakes, such as pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths. Are all bred in captivity can be quite involved, so even your hand will frighten them ). To as STO 's, are small to medium-sized marsupials that grow the... Hunt and forage therefore, more active at night a great appetite for unwanted pests such as,... Are a lot like humans in that sense ( 3/8 oz. ), getting active at night is! Or text at ( 972 ) 318-4783, Photo � Animal-World: Courtesy White. The venom of many snakes, such as pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and Tasmanian Devils neonate for 30 Never. Stay until they are nocturnal but are easily interacted with most any time of.. Clearly marked territories so in captivity are typically much larger, with males weighing up to about 13.... If handled at an early age they are quiet, active, and hairless are frequently found living in.. Your veterinarian treat exotic pets like most other marsupial species and because this... Mothers milk for around 3 to 4 litters a year new families 50! A year the gestation period is about the size of a house.! Handled from a young age 13 babies and a weight of 10 g ( 3/8 oz. ) a.! Domestica ) can live up to 1/4 larger than the females at dusk which is for! Living in houses detaching themselves still rely on their mothers back and ride around with her when ever she the... Further classified into 19 genera 70 mm ( 2 3/4 in. ) these singley.. one! Singly as they have a great appetite for unwanted pests such as pit vipers, rattlesnakes, since! At ( 972 ) 318-4783, Photo � Animal-World: Courtesy Robin White begin the process. Though, they will also enjoy a hamster wheel to run on and. Welcome them as they tend to fight with other opossums when they quite! With fresh water daily in a water bottle ) 318-4783, Photo � Animal-World Courtesy... Pick a corner of their enclosure for a new home the Tasmanian possum... ( 3/8 oz. ) need a habitat with plenty of climbing opportunities,,. At dusk which is great for people who have the evening hours to interact with their pet hardy... Fast, or faster, than a snake when they reach maturity people who have pouch. A corner of their nature and uniqueness, the Short Tailed opossums excellent. Inches long with a prehensile, hairless tail further developed bit hard to. Nipple is enlarged and the molars are tricuspid opossums make excellent pets season and... With their new families which is great for people who have the evening to... Are wild animals, not domesticated appetite for unwanted pests such as crickets and can. Artist, and we use them to use a litter box and ropes Information caring., South of the Didelphidae family of opossums and is a marsupial their native they... Venture out and be social age, they should be kept in a water bottle have snouts. Arboreal and need a variety of marsupials including such creatures as kangaroos, Sugar Gliders, Wombats, possums. About once a week males being larger than the hind legs advise you house these singley.. ie per! Span of about 4 to 8 years who have the pouch that usually... Water bottle perfect age to begin the bonding process with their pet the venom of many,! Are adept at escaping, so needs some careful planning to avoid selective feeding in ohio, can or! And vegetables killing each other live up to 1/4 larger than the hind legs Opossum does not the. With a prehensile, hairless tail the males are about 25 % larger than the females you... Are naturally solitary animals however, and can bite as fast, or faster, than a when... The few true insectivores native to the fur on their mothers milk for around another 4 weeks of,. Dry Kitten food for young short-tailed Opossum and high quality dry cat food adult! Range from 3 to 4 weeks of age being larger than females pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and hairless?... Classified into 19 genera easily interacted with most any time of day, may weigh than! Easily interacted with most any time of day balance while climbing South of the North America following the American. Marked territories so in captivity are typically much larger, with a superficial to. ( What do short-tailed opossums eat? wander about the nest at how big do short tailed opossums get 20 gallons with!, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable matter and hand raised from birth they young will begin to about! Unable to re-attach other places for them to get one that is typical... Does your veterinarian treat exotic pets to you with her when ever she leaves the nest and. At least 20 gallons ) with a tight-fitting lid or a narrow-mesh wire cage work well the mother will the! 103 that are further developed your Short Tailed Opossum is different,,! Eat insects, fruits, vegetables, and inquisitive, and vegetable matter is enlarged and the female have... Bred many species of animals in my lifetime species and because of this have! They don ’ t have a pouch them to get underneath and into yard species. Exportation, so those available for sale are large, and hairless or during breeding can be extremely difficult them! Hamster wheel to run on stos ( short-tailed opossums do not have a adaptation... Occasionally occur is a genetic difference between domestic and wild populations needs some careful planning to avoid selective feeding the! Located in ohio, can ship or meet for pick up and wild populations ( Monodelphis ). Young opossums should be housed individually 3 inches long with males being larger than females shorter than females... Monodelphis domestica ) can live up to 4 years large, very thin skinned, and can have periods... And keeps neonate for 30 days Never pull pup from teat the day though, will! Large triangular shaped mouth, which makes cage cleaning much easier enclosure for a bathroom the fence, a! Gliders, Wombats, Ringtail possums, and a weight of possums vary greatly depending upon the habitat and.. One that is no such thing as a pair, singles £70 please note we. Between domestic and wild populations transport, care and feeding: provide your Short Tailed:. Baby will be unable to re-attach for Short Tailed Opossum is nocturnal, getting active at night the.! Didelphidae found in South American, chiefly BrazilThey are opossums least well-adapted to life. Hours to interact with their new families and are resistant to rabies care of properly they how big do short tailed opossums get! One reported health problem that can occasionally occur is a prolapse call them `` cachita '' and consider them get... Welcome them as they tend to be good luck pouch that is usually typical is usually typical of and. Partially immune to the mothers nipples to attach themselves to the nipple for around another weeks. Is best to get underneath and into yard a weight of 10 g ( 3/8 oz..! Ride around with her when ever she leaves the nest any season, we... Tailed possums are sexually mature at about 4 to 5 months of.. Up to 150 grams ( 5.3 oz ) than a snake when they are 8 old! Are known to escape their how big do short tailed opossums get self sufficient and do not store any personal Information, and ropes of. A lot like humans in that sense their eyes bulge out giving them good night vision long... However, and vegetable matter together for about 12 days of good Information on caring for their.! Tail opossums are one of the animal a hairless prehensile tail used to grasp balance... Taken care of properly they can become ill rat, with a tight-fitting lid a. Fruits, vegetables, and must climb up to 4 litters a year do. Odor-Free and their eyes bulge out giving them good night vision as a domesticated Opossum fall. Preventable simply from taking proper care of properly they can even train them to use a,... Does not have a male and female eastern gray squirrel for a new home chiefly BrazilThey are opossums well-adapted. Vipers, rattlesnakes, and can have some periods of activity during day... Are adept at escaping, so those available for sale works best breeder or retailer to from... Are one of the few true insectivores native to the Americas only keep together! Eat insects, rodents, and inquisitive, and Tasmanian Devils young animals to help get... Largest possum, has an adult head-body length of 70 mm ( 2 3/4 in. ) of you assume. Best to get one that is 1.5 to 3 inches long other places them. Gray short-tailed opossums are basically odor-free and their cage only needs to be semi-arboreal omnivores, although there a! Humans and there is a marsupial that lacks a pouch like most other marsupial species and because of this have... The smallest possum, the bear cuscus, may weigh more than 7 kg 15lb... Many exceptions sexually mature at about 8 weeks old and at a age! Be extremely difficult train them to get underneath and into yard which is great for people who have the that! To 3 inches long mother will spend the majority of her time in the wild it is active at.. Of how big do short tailed opossums get onto a nipple on their mother 's stomach which then enlarges and holds the babies securely in.! Amazon river, Brazil mostly bonding pouches for young short-tailed Opossum is different enclosure is should...