The only place I know of that sells pet opossums is Brighten Farms of Marshall, Indiana. But bear in mind that in some states it is illegal to buy, sell, or keep opossums. You should always check your local laws before pursuing the purchase of an opossum.

Most are about the size of a large house cat, from 15 to 20 inches long. They generally weigh 10 to 13 pounds. This can vary, however, just as height and weight vary among humans. Some well-fed opossums can seem gargantuan, especially when they startle you on an evening walk. See similar questions...

The best thing to do is to call a local veterinarian or animal control officer. Although opossums are rarely aggressive, any injured animal that is in pain may react unpredictably and should not be handled except by an expert. See similar questions...

Yes and no. Throughout America the opossum is often referred to colloquially as a possum (similarly to the way some people refer to a potato as a tater or to a mosquito as a skeeter), but its actual name is opossum. When we refer to it by its colloquial name on this website, we usually add an apostrophe at the beginning to indicate the omission of the initial o: 'possum. See similar questions...

Again, it is best to consult with a local veterinarian or animal control officer for assistance. Also try to locate a rehabber in your area with experience in caring for orphaned animals. See similar questions...

First of all, it is never necessary to kill the animal. The kindest way to remove an opossum is to set a Have-A-Heart trap baited with tinned cat food. These are harmless traps that can be obtained at many hardware or farm supply stores or from some rent-all establishments. Once the opossum has been captured, it can be taken to a remote area and released. See similar questions...

If I did, I wouldn't give them to you. Although some people do eat opossum (it is said to taste a lot like pork), I simply don't subscribe to the idea. One word of caution, however, to those who insist on trying to make a meal of the critter: Opossums should not simply be killed and eaten because they do sometimes consume carrion. Instead, they should be captured and fed table scraps and other clean food until the carrion is out of their system. See similar questions...

Although nocturnal animals are most active throughout the night, it is not an indication that something is necessarily wrong if seen out during the day. Nocturnal animals often DO come out during the day. Pet food, bird seed, and garbage can be powerful attractants. Weather changes also affect wildlife. A mother skunk or raccoon will often venture out in the daytime to take a well deserved break from her babies. See similar questions...

with most mammals the number will vary, but generally opossums will give birth to between 6-25 young one to three times a year, usually between January and July. Most litters consist of 6 to 9 young. Of these no more than 13 will survive because the mother only has 13 teats with which to feed them. Each joey will latch onto a teat, and those who do not secure a place in their mother's pouch will starve and die. See similar questions...

Unless the animal is injured, they can not be disturbed, even in your backyard. You can call (714) 536-3538 for further assistance. If the animal is injured, you can call the Orange County Animal Control at (714) 935-6848. See similar questions...

Not likely. Opossums are rather lazy and will always seek out readily available food whenever possible. It is not generally industrious enough to catch fish or try to attack an animal that might fight back. The disappearance of fish or chickens is more likely due to a racoon, fox, or badger. If you see an opossum eating your fish, most likely it came across the remains that another creature left behind on the bank. See similar questions...

Opossums are very quiet creatures. You are far more likely to see one long before hearing any noises from it. When threatened they often will hiss, much like a cat, and can make a low growling sound. Some have reported hearing opossums softly purring to their young, though I have never been so privileged. One person wrote me to say they'd once heard a young opossum mewing like a kitten, but it is the only such report I've received. See similar questions...

If there is no time to call animal control, you may be able to coax it out with a broom. Try to avoid hurting the animal, but simply attempt just to urge him along. Sometimes they can become quite stubborn and hide under a table or couch, looking very fearsome by baring their 50 teeth. I once removed an opossum from a neighbor's house by cautiously picking it up by the tail, but I did have on heavy gloves. Opossums usually will not bite, but they certainly can if given the opportunity. See similar questions...

Though opossums (didelphis virginiana) are usually found in areas near streams and swamps, they also can live in many different regions of eastern, central and west-coast United States. Opossums naturally make dens in anything from tree cavities to brush piles. Opossums are also very opportunistic and will make a home in another animal’s abandoned burrow. Opossums usually live solitary lives, but they will group together for food or shelter needs. See similar questions...

Opossums are nocturnal, so you won’t see or hear much from them during the day. An opossum in your home may make thumping noises as it heads out for dinner at about 10 p.m. You may hear an opossum again when it returns at dawn. Opossum mating season usually runs from January to July and each female will produce about seven opossum babies, with two to three litters per year. Opossum babies, about the size of a quarter, live in the opossum mom’s pouch after her two-week pregnancy. See similar questions...

Opossums will get into any opening they can squeeze their heads through. Opossums can enter into a roof’s overhangs, shingles, gable vents and where two roofs meet. Opossums can even get into the attic through crevices in the chimney. Opossums are very opportunistic animals and will use any hole to enter, even if another animal has made it. opossum getting onto your roof is no trick, either. See similar questions...

There have been many cases during spring where opossums live and sleep throughout the day in a chimney. At night, the opossums will enter the home and raid the kitchen, leaving a mess in their wake. Not only will you have to clean up after this rampage, but don’t forget the disease and bugs the opossum will bring along with it. In addition, what seems to be a safe trip to the fridge for a glass of milk may turn into a confrontation with a mother opossum protecting her babies. See similar questions...

Opossums are top on the list of wildlife that destroys vegetable gardens. Opossums will also throw garbage around from your cans in search of food. Opossums enjoy grubs, so will often tear apart sod to find them. Even if the opossum hasn’t found a way into your home yet, but is acclimated to your area, it can do significant damage. For an opossum making trouble outside your home, trapping is not the answer. There are simply too many of them out there. See similar questions...

They cannot jump, but they are superb climbers. One should never hope to keep an opossum out of a yard with a mere fence. With their opposable thumbs and prehensile tail, they can scale practically any obstacle. See similar questions...

Answer: First, we would like to thank you for helping the opossum. Second, please read the section titled "Found an Orphaned or Injured Opossum?" for information about what to do next. For help locating a wildlife rehabilitator near you please see the nest question and answer. See similar questions...