Possum

[leah]

Nothing to do with axolotls, but here it is anyway!

I found an adult ringtail possum on this side of the road this morning, dragging himself with his front legs. No visible injury, but obviously he's not right. I took him to a lady who rescues/rehabilitates native animals because the vet wasn't open yet, and she figures his back's been broken. Sad

While I'm there, she introduced me to a baby ringtail who needed a carer because she's got a house full of kangaroos (!) and not enough time. She showed me how to feed and "toilet" him, and has provided me with the stuff I need to look after him. So I have a baby ringtail possum in the house!

The vet's going to look at the adult and take some xrays. He'll probably need to be put down, but there is a chance that he'll live... poor thing. It's awful seeing animals hurt on the road!

The baby I have probably fell off his mom's back while she was running from something. He too was found on the road, but miraculously uninjured!
He's still on milk, not interested in fruit yet, and living in little itty bitty fleece pouches. So cute

Any suggestions for names?

Here's a pic:

 

[kim]

awwwwwwwwwwwwww.... if only i lived out there!!

I'd have a house full too!!!

Good luck with him... does he have a name?

 

[leah]

No officially, though maybe "Timmy"

Any ideas?

 

[karl]

How about LUCKY?
It seems appropriate.
Cute little guy all the same,

 

[anthony]

how about POPPY.

 

[heather]

That is so adorable!!!
I wish we had possums here!!

anyway, whenever i need to name and animal i go sites that give baby names or dog names, they usually have tons of names, and cute ones too.

 

[mik]

only one name for a ringtail = ring tale = Aragorn.

Please don't call it lucky...i hate that name, every stray, injured animal gets called Lucky! Sorry Karl...i just hate lucky...aaarrgghh even the thought...

Best of luck with it, Leah

 

[karl]

Sorry mik fair point but in my defence it was friday afternoon i was feeling a little worse for wear!!!

I could've done better!
(i'll get my coat...)

 

[karl]

By the way
what did you call him in the end leah?

 

[mik]

lol your forgiven Karl. Must have been a good night on Thursday ;-)

 

[leah]

I think we've settled on Timini, like Jimini cricket but with a T. It may end up being spelled as Timony, not sure yet.

He's such a pest! My arms are all scratched up from him doing acrobatics and running around, and he bites my fingers whenever he's hungry! I think he's grown already- he weighs 89 grams today. I didn't think to weigh him the day he came home, so I don't know how much he's grown, but he feels heavier anyway. I love him, he's so cute!

 

[john]

Be careful, they are considered highrisk for rabies!

 

[leah]

Here's an updated pic of Timini for anyone interested:

 

[heather]

awww!

 

[kim]

hes very nice!!

 

[tara]

WOW leah that is so cute!!!! My Mum has a baby wallaby at the moment, i will se if i can get a pic. I love our native animals especially the fury ones. And I've never heard of a rabies case in Oz. But from experiance they do cause nasty infections in cuts. Also this possum and wallaby growing process is a very slow one they seem to shoot up when young then slow right down and their little personalties change.I bet he gives great cuddles!
P.S Great choice of name
Cheers
Tara

 

[leah]

100 grams today! My little guy is growing up!

I swear he's nearly doubled in size already! He's started eating solid foods now, and especially loves rose petals and apples. It's hard not to give him all he can eat of these- he doesn't seem to know that more natural foods like gum leaves are probably better for him...

I'd love to see a picture of the baby wallaby! How old is it? The lady I got Timini from thinks he's about 4 months old. He sure does have a personality! He's a BAD possum! We've decided that he didn't fall off his mum's back- he was pushed! He's realised he's safe if he leaves my arm now, so he tries to jump onto and climb everything he sees, and pushes you away with his little hands when you try to pick him back up! He runs straight to me if there are any scary noises though, which is really cute. I feel special that he feels safe with me