how to help opossum in winter

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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31-01-2025

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Opossums, those charmingly quirky marsupials, face unique challenges during winter. While they don't hibernate, they do slow down considerably. Understanding their winter behavior is key to knowing how to help them if they need assistance.

Understanding Opossum Behavior in Winter

Unlike bears or groundhogs, opossums don't hibernate. Instead, they experience a state of torpor, a period of reduced activity and metabolism to conserve energy when food is scarce. This means they'll be less active and may appear lethargic.

During cold snaps, opossums seek shelter in dens, under brush piles, or even in attics or sheds. They’ll huddle together for warmth, conserving energy to survive.

Signs an Opossum Needs Help

A healthy opossum in winter will generally avoid human contact. However, there are situations where intervention might be necessary:

• Obvious injury: Broken bones, bleeding wounds, or other visible injuries require immediate attention.
• Lethargy and inability to move: If an opossum is extremely lethargic and unresponsive, it could be sick or suffering from hypothermia.
• Extreme thinness: A severely underweight opossum likely lacks sufficient food reserves to survive the winter.
• Presence of young: If you find a mother opossum with young that appear weak or abandoned, intervention may be necessary.

How to Help a Winter Opossum

Helping an opossum in need requires caution and knowledge. Never attempt to handle a wild animal without proper preparation and safety measures.

1. Assess the Situation

First, observe the opossum from a safe distance. Determine if it's truly injured or in distress. A seemingly lifeless opossum might simply be in torpor.

2. Contact Wildlife Rehabilitation

Your best course of action is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. These professionals are trained to handle wildlife, assess their condition, and provide necessary care. Search online for "[your location] wildlife rehabilitation" to find a center near you.

3. Providing Temporary Shelter (With Caution)

If contacting a rehabilitator immediately isn't possible, you can offer temporary shelter *only* if the animal appears truly distressed. A cardboard box lined with soft towels in a warm, quiet, and dark location can provide temporary refuge.

Important: Do not attempt to feed the opossum unless instructed by a professional. Providing inappropriate food could be harmful.

4. Avoid Direct Handling

Opossums have sharp teeth and can bite if frightened or stressed. Always use thick gloves or other protective gear if you must handle them (and only do so if absolutely necessary). Their saliva can also carry bacteria.

5. Creating a Safe Habitat

You can indirectly help opossums survive winter by providing a suitable habitat in your yard. This includes:

• Brush piles: These offer excellent denning sites.
• Birdhouses (with modifications): Larger birdhouses or similar structures can provide safe shelter.
• Natural food sources: Planting native berries and other fruits can provide a natural food source.
• Avoid pesticides and herbicides: These can harm opossums and other wildlife.

When *Not* to Intervene

Many seemingly helpless opossums are simply resting or in torpor. Unless an animal is clearly injured or in distress, it's best to leave it alone. Human intervention can stress the animal and interfere with its natural survival strategies.

Conclusion

Helping opossums survive the winter involves a balance of understanding their natural behavior and knowing when human intervention is truly needed. Remember, contacting a wildlife rehabilitator is the safest and most effective way to help an opossum in distress. By understanding their needs and providing a safe environment, you can play a crucial role in supporting these fascinating creatures.