| Mouse
Opossum
(Marmosa species)
Article courtesy Melanie Buchanan
These mouse-like marsupials are rapidly making their
way into the pocket pet gallery. A Mouse opossum actually descends from
the marsupial order of sugar gliders and kangaroos. They come from the
Argentine pampas or in the Andes. Mouse opossums are nocturnal and usually
arboreal, though some species are terrestrial. They are often found on
banana plantations and among small tress and vine tangles. In the wild,
they build nests of leaves and twigs in trees or shelter in abandoned
bird's nests. They are generally solitary, usually hunting and nesting
alone.
Opossums are clean animals and routinely groom themselves.
They are easy to tame and rarely bite. Once a bond is established, these
tiny opossums will delight in your companionship.
Housing
A 15-gallon aquarium with a tight-fitting lid works best. It is best to
house each Mouse opossum singly. They are solitary animals and can become
aggressive and may even hurt or kill each other. They will choose one
corner of the aquarium to use as a bathroom, so put a small bowl of unscented
litter in the spot, which can be removed for cleaning. When you first
begin litter training, it is best not to remove the odor completely. This
way they will become accustomed to the litter box more quickly. Supply
paper-based material for bedding and a nest box for a sleeping chamber.
These guys love to build elaborate nests! Mouse opossums
also enjoy burrowing. Provide them with at least 3" of bedding. A rodent
sleeping chamber works well, but we have found that small dog bowls work
well too. They are light enough for the opossums to get underneath and
easily cleaned. Mouse opossums are not rodents so they do not have the
obsession to chew.You can use plastic accessories in their cages without
fear of ingestion. Mouse opossums are nocturnal and play mostly at night.
Give them branches (oak and apple branches are ideal), ropes, a mouse-sized
wheel, and other accessories. Be sure that these are free from pesticides.
In addition, the mouse opossum has very little odor, therefore making
their cages very easy to keep clean. Cleaning the cage once a month with
water and dish soap is ideal. Use dish soap because of its low toxicity.
If you use bleach, be sure to rinse the cage thoroughly afterward.
Feeding
In the wild, the mouse opossum's diet consists mainly of insects and fruits
but also includes small rodents, lizards, and bird's eggs. In captivity,
they enjoy crickets, mealworms, a variety of fruits (avoid avocado), vegetables,
eggs, and boiled chicken breasts. Favorite fruits include mango and bananna.
You will also need to provide them with a good quality, commercial sugar
glider or insectivore diet. Mouse opossums love raw sugar in the wild.
You can provide them with nectars, such as Gliderade. Nectar should be
provided daily as a dietary supplement.
Limit amounts of fat, phosphorous, sodium and processed
sugars in the diet. Avoid caffeine at all cost. Provide your mouse opossum
with fresh water (de-chlorinated if possible) every day. It is best to
use a very small, mouse-type water bottle.
Medical Concerns
Mouse opossums are solitary animals and should be kept singly. Keep only
one per cage. These are vigorous animals that rarely become ill when given
a proper diet and their enclosure is regularly cleaned.
Interview with Crystal Roper
Positives attributes of mouse opossums?
First, they are small so they can live in a fairly small cage -as little
as a 10 gallon tank. Second, they are really friendly once they get used
to being handled and the varies noises in their environment. Third and
very important, their food can pretty much be bought at the grocery store
along with your own food.
Negatives attributes of mouse opossums?
Just one, their small, so if they get out good luck finding them.
Anecdotes/stories regarding your experience with mouse
opossums?
My mouse opossum was a little nervous when he first came to live with
me. He would hide when he caught any kind of movement in the room. He
would fold up his little ears and freeze if you handled him. I held or
petted him everyday and I left him in a active room of my house. After
a couple of weeks, he was much more out going. He no longer hides because
of sounds or movement in a room. He carries on with his business. He still
freezes if you turn the light on, but once his eyes adjust (I guess) he
continues with what he was doing. Now, he isn't much scared of anything.
I stick my hand in his cage and he comes right to me. He crawls all over
me now without being nervous at all.
What is their average lifespan?
As far as I know it is 3 to 5 years.
How well do they interact with people?
Once, they are used to people they will take food from their hand and
basically use them as a big jungle gym. They do occasionally curl up and
go to sleep in your hand or shirt pocket, but only if they feel secure.
How easily do they train?
I haven't really tried to train Munchkin.
What size and type of enclosure do they need?
For one mouse opossum, a 10 gallon. tank would be fine, with mesh lid
of course, shavings as bedding, plenty of things for them to climb on,
something for them to hide/sleep in (I have tissue tubes and a big piece
of bark), I have also found that they love wheels. The wheel was an experiment
since no one knew if they would actually use it. Mine stays on his wheel
all night thus being a big hit.
What do you feed them?
They need water, a little glideraide (mixture of nectar) every night,
but their main diet consists of soft fruits...bananas, mango, nectarine,
kiwi, raspberries, blue berries, etc. They can also on occasion have chicken
or salmon can cat food without gravy. They also like to have small treats
of small insects like crickets. Mine, will grab a cricket out of my hand
in seconds. I give him a cricket a night since I always have them around
for my beardies and ackies.
How destructive are they for an average household?
They are not destructive at all.
Are there any problems associated with their nails?
No
Do they have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No
How messy are their dropping and can they be litter
trained?
Their droppings aren't very messy. I clean the cage probably every two
weeks.
What vaccinations/vet care should be expected?
No vaccinations that I know of and you would probably be luck to find
a vet that even knows what one is much less one that knows how to treat
one.
Do they breed easily?
I haven't breed any yet, but I hope to eventually. A friend of mine has
though and he pretty much let nature take it's course.
What personal traists should someone keeping them
have?
Not sure because I love most all animals as can be seen by just entering
my house. |
