Gus the Virginia Opossum

Born: May 2024

Arrived at WSWC: November 2, 2024

Sex: Male

Gus arrived with his five siblings to the wildlife center after they were found several months prior by a caring citizen. Unfortunately advice gathered from the internet and social media groups was misleading. Once the six opossums had grown and been admitted to the wildlife center, it was clear that they were suffering from metabolic bone disease (MBD). While the other opossums were able to recover with a healthy diet, Gus has permanent bone deformities in his hind legs that greatly reduce his mobility. After careful consideration, it was clear that Gus and his story would make a great addition to our education team.

About Virginia Opossums

  • Size: Can weigh up to 14 pounds with males usually being larger than females. On average, they weigh about the same as a house cat.

  • Lifespan: In the wild, Virginia Opossums usually only live one to two years. In captivity, they can live up to five years.

  • Diet: Virginia Opossums are omnivores, eating just about anything in the wild! Their number one food source is insects, but they also enjoy carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals), fruits, nuts and plants.

  • Reproduction: Opossum joeys are born only the size of a bumble bee. The joeys make their way into their mother’s pouch where they spend the next several weeks attached to a nipple. As they age, the joeys start exploring outside of the pouch and riding on their mother’s back while she forages. Opossums usually have two litters per year, averaging eight joeys per litter.

  • Range: Opossums inhabit a variety of habitats from deep forests to inner cities. Virginia Opossums are the only marsupial in the United States and Canada, occupying nearly every state in the U.S. except in the most northern areas as the winters are too cold.

  • Other Facts: Opossums are nomadic and do not keep nests or dens. An adult opossum may travel two miles every night while foraging. Opossums have opposable thumbs on their hind legs. The prehensile tail of an opossum helps them balance while climbing and carry objects, but an adult opossum is too heavy to hang from their tail.