Guidelines for care Possum

Guidelines for the care of the
Photo: Shows a possum in care
in a sleeping box lined with
peppermint leaves.The box was
made with a well ventilated roof
for summer conditions.
Western
Ringtail
Possum
(Pseudocheirus occidentalis)
Photo: Possum in care with
tubes of leaf fonds and plenty
of climbing material
This is a threatened species.
KEY
Success
Factors
If you would like to read more
about the Western Ringtail possum
and some carer’s stories,
access the web-site:
http://www.members.westnet.com.au/
busnet/index.html
This care sheet may be copied for
educational purposes only.
These guidelines are the property
of F.A.W.N.A. Inc.W. A.,
P.O. Box 551, Busselton,W.A. 6280
They were compiled using
information provided by
experienced carers.
Photos: Lesley Jackes
The Western Ringtail Possum is listed under Specially Protected
Fauna in the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna)
Notice, published yearly in the WA Government Gazette.
All Specially Protected Fauna coming into
care must be reported to a DEC Wildlife Officer.
FAWNA information is also available at:
http://www.fawna.com.au/index.html
! At first contact,
keep the possum
secure, warm,
quiet and covered
It is identified as a ringtail because it has a smooth, furred, tapering prehensile tail
with a white tip. The ears are rounded, but smaller than the Brushtail possum.
The first two digits are opposed to the other three of the fore foot to enable the
ringtail to grip firmly. The pouch is forward opening with four nipples.The weight
range is up to 1100gms.All over the South West, their main source of food is the
Peppermint Tree (agonis flexuosa), although the exception is the Perup Forest
community which lives mainly on eucalypts.
Adult Possums - sick or injured
Assess the animal and if necessary treat or take it to a vet.
To catch and hold an adult possum, it is recommended that a towel be thrown
over its head and body. Then turn it over quickly securing its legs in the towel.
Protect your eyes, face and hands. Stressed and injured animals often bite and
scratch to protect themselves.
Every animal in need of care will experience shock.
To minimise this, do the following:
! Secure in a carry cage or box with comfortable bedding (wool or cotton).
! Leave with water, peppermint tree leaves and native blossoms.
! Measure feeding
formulas according
to the possum’s
weight
! Put the cage in a quiet, warm or shaded area (depending on the weather).
! Cover the cage lightly with a towel or old blanket and leave to recover from
shock.
! Keep the cage dry, clean and make sure there are air holes.
! Handle the possum as little as possible.
This care sheet was made possible by
sponsorship from Iluka Resources Ltd.
! Be aware of the
possum’s natural
habitat and living
conditions.
Treatment for dehydration will probably be necessary. To check, gently pinch up
the possum’s skin and if it stays in the fold, then dehydration is present. Other
signs are: mouth is not moist inside, eyes not as bulbous as usual (sunken) and not
as bright. Offer the possum an electrolyte solution. Many FAWNA members use
Lectade. Emergency only dehydration fluid is one teaspoon of glucose/Glucodin
to one cup of boiled water. Drip slowly with a syringe into the mouth. Make sure
it swallows. If severely dehydrated, ask the Vet to administer fluids.
Food
These foods are suggested: Peppermint leaves, bottle brush flowers and all
other Australian native leaves and blossoms. Give a variety as the possum is
unable to roam and find its own.
If antibiotics have been administered by the Vet, gut flora needs to be
reintroduced. It is suggested that Protexin as a first choice or half a teaspoon
of plain yoghurt with the ABC bacteria be offered for a couple of days.
Immature possums
Flat furred or pouch babies weighing less than 100 gms:
These possums are very difficult to rear. It is very likely that possums of this size will not survive but an experienced carer will know
better.
Fluffy babies (100 gms or more):
They usually thrive if the trauma they have endured is not too great. It is mostly fluffy babies that are handed in to FAWNA.
On arrival, place in a small “beanie”, natural cotton or wool. Supply a small piece of soft cloth so the possum can hide under it.
Warmth is essential in the form of a wheat bag, warm water bottle or heat pad set on gentle heat. Warm up slowly and allow room
for the possum to get away from the source of heat if it wants to. Check regularly when setting up the heat pad to ensure that
overheating is not occurring.
Make sure that the carry cage or basket is secure and that the possum can’t squeeze through the bars. It’s amazing how little space
they need to escape. Gutter guard can be used on
a carry cage. Follow the same procedures for
reducing shock as for the adult possum. Check
“An Immature
hourly for dehydration and give warm replacement
possum that had
fluid if necessary. Otherwise offer warm, native
been in care for
animal milk mix. Try tempting with a pipette and
some weeks,
then as they start licking, offer a dish of milk for
feeding from a
lapping. Put the milk into a small shallow dish, lid or
bottle containing
teaspoon. Remember possums are lactose
milk mix”.
intolerant.
Offer as much as needed and give rests, take time to feed and don’t force. Make up a
little more for each feed, to allow for spills. Do five feeds per day, reducing feeds as solids
are introduced. Remember that a pouch baby takes only milk. Fluffy babies will need
extra foods such as tender peppermint tree leaves and native foods (bottlebrush
flowers). Difficult feeders may feed if eyes are covered and only mouth and nose are
uncovered.
With a damp soft tissue, gently stimulate the genital area to encourage urination. Faeces
will be a thick paste and scant.
At each stage, be guided by what your possum is telling you. It will let you know when
it is ready to move on. They are all different. It may still need one, two or three milk feeds
a day, but encourage a natural diet.
Housing
The type of housing will depend on the age of the possum and its state of physical well
being. This ranges from a carry cage with heat, to an inside cage with branches for
climbing, to a half size outside aviary cage and then a full size aviary cage.
For immature possums, a sleeping box with own beanie is to be provided. Place in the
cage young peppy leaves, native tree leaves/ flowers and a dish of water for the night. Do
not leave any uneaten milk mix in the cage.
For adult possums, transfer to a large outside full size aviary/cage in a sheltered area,
when the possum is able to move freely and has recovered some strength.
Provide plenty of natural climbing material, a sleeping box and a bunch of young
peppermint leaves placed in a tube of water every night with the other foods described.
Dispose of any uneaten contents each day to minimise the presence of ants and other
insects.
Housing requirements are given in more detail in “Minimum Standards for Wildlife
Rehabilitation in Western Australia 2008” published by DEC.
Release
Possums are released only when
aged 9 months or more, when
independent, healthy and eating a
wide variety of native foods.
The Western Ringtail Possum is a
threatened species and DEC
does not encourage their release
by carers if they themselves have
a release program running. So
when your possum is due for
release, get back to F.A.W.N.A.
and we will let you know the
current situation.
Soft release in a suitable
environment is essential for the
survival of the Western Ringtail
Possum. Western Ringtails
strongly defend their territories
and any other adult possum
released into them is likely to be
driven out or killed. Young
possums are tolerated and may
find a home if released into an
occupied territory.
Feeding method and
feeding mixtures for
immature possums
These are Divetelact, Wombaroo or Biolac (most
common). If Biolac, possums stay on strength 100.
Do not microwave the mix. Milk feed is approx. 10%
of body weight per day. For example, if possum is
100gms in weight, then 10 mls per day in five feeds
which equals 2 mls per feed. Over feeding can
cause severe digestive problems.
Make up milk as per instructions. To prepare the
milk, mix a little water to break the lumps and then
add remainder. Make enough for the day and keep
the remainder in the fridge. Use warm mixture, not
hot. Keep all utensils clean.
To assist a young possum to feed, wrap it snugly,
leaving the head free. Put the mouth in the milk and
keep the nose out. With the correct angle, the nose
will not get in. A tiny spot of honey at the bottom
of the dish can be useful for the first feed. Do not
continue using it as it will cause diarrhoea.
Nests/dreys/sleeping boxes
These may be made from flower pots, hanging baskets, small cartons and hollow logs, or
nest boxes made out of marine ply. Use your imagination and make it snug with soft
bedding, a beanie or cuddle rag and peppermint tree leaf fronds. Ensure it is placed in a
protected, elevated corner of the cage on a sturdy platform.
Photo:A mother and
baby possum in an
outside aviary cage.