Can you have a possum as a pet in California?

Laws and Regulations

Opossums are not native to California. It's a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets.

Can you keep a possum in the house as a pet?

It's illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once they're old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released. They're wild animals who don't fare well often in captivity. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking.

What states is it legal to own a possum?

You may be able to own a pet opossum in Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota with a permit. In Missouri, you can keep an opossum as a pet, but the Virginia Opossum is considered a large carnivore, so large carnivore permitting is needed.

Why are opossums illegal in California?

LEGAL STATUS

The California Fish and Game Code classifies opossums as nongame mammals.

What are illegal pets in California?

According to the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 671, pet ownership of the following animals is also illegal without a special permit: Raccoons, skunks, alligators, lemurs, zebras, certain venomous reptiles, prairie dogs, wolf hybrids (wolf-dogs), big cats such as bobcats, servals, and cheetahs.

Do OPOSSUMS make good PETS?

What wild animals can I own in California?

What rodents are legal in California?

If you like gerbils and want to consider other similar wild rodents as a pet, there are several that are legal in California, including hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.

Can I keep a possum?

Question: Can I keep an opossum as a pet? Answer: No. All wild animals belong in the wild. Give the opossum the chance to live the life nature intended…in the wild.

Do baby possums bite?

Even in baby opossums we do this defense mechanism. If pushed, cornered, poked, prodded, the opossum will bite, but it will never run after you, chase you, come towards you in an attacking way. No matter what you hear, opossums are not out there killing people's dogs, or attacking children.

Is a possum a good pet?

Short-tailed opossums have grown in popularity as exotic pets over the past few years. They are very good pets for beginners due to their cleanliness, omnivorous diet, and general good health. These opossums are small, friendly creatures with easy care requirements—and they're cute!

Can you tame a possum?

Opossums can not only be housebroken, but they can be taught to come when they are called and to even sit on your shoulder as you walk around. With a little patience and a calm demeanor, you should be able to tame a pet opossum.

Can you potty train a possum?

Whether you've just adopted a short tailed or a Virginia opossum as a pet, you can train your opossum to use a litter box. Both opossum species are clean animals and both tend to choose designated areas to defecate and urinate. These qualities make litter box training easier to accomplish.

Can I keep a baby possum as a pet?

While they can be tamed, they cannot be domesticated like a cat or a dog. They truly make horrendous pets. don't try to care for an orphaned or injured opossum yourself. Rehabbers work as apprentices for a long time before they can get licensed on their own.

Are possums smart?

Opossums Are Smart Critters

For one, they have a remarkable ability to find food and to remember where it is. When tested, opossums outscored rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs — but not humans. 2 They also can find their way through a maze more efficiently than rats and cats.

What food do opossums like?

Opossums generally eat fruit, grains and insects, but will also eat out of compost piles, garbage cans and pet food dishes if they can get access. They have been known to eat fish, birds and mammals as well.

What is the difference between possum and opossum?

Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced or silent . So cute.

Can you touch a possum?

If the opossum is very small (still thermoregulating) you can pick it up by the tail or body, always taking care to make your final approach from the rear. Going right over their head is threatening and will usually gain a harmless snap up at you at that age.

What do you do if you find a baby possum?

According to the California Wildlife Center, baby opossums, also known as Joeys, that are seven inches or longer should be left alone if found in the wild unless they are noticeably injured. Smaller Joeys should be taken to your local animal welfare center.

Do possums bite?

Do Opossums Bite? Just like any scared animal, it's possible for opossums to bite in defense. If they feel cornered or threatened, opossums will use several escape strategies ranging from playing dead to hissing. Biting is rare, but people should avoid contact with all wild animals to eliminate the risk.

How can I own a raccoon in California?

Owning a pet raccoon is legal in some states but illegal in many other states. If you're a Californian looking to adopt a pet raccoon, you won't be able to unless you file a prohibited animal permit with the California Department of Fish and Game.

Are Chipmunks legal in California?

Some of the animals on California's banned-as-pets list are familiar: alligators, raccoons, skunks, hedgehogs, chipmunks and squirrels.

Are hedgehogs legal in California?

There are at least 17 known species of hedgehogs. All species are restricted from possession as pets in California primarily because they can become pests where introduced into the wild where they don't naturally occur.