Illinois opossums generally stay in close proximity to humans. As they do not build their own nests, they often stay in any small space they can find. This means that they often end up staying in the attics or crawl spaces of homes. It often happens that the female Aurora opossum gets caught or killed and the babies are then left orphaned. The babies are usually carried in the pouch of the mother. If you find a dead female possum, it is important to check whether she has babies on her.



What to do with the babies
• If you have found a nest of babies make sure that the mother is not close by. As Illinois opossums are marsupials they very seldom leave their babies behind.
• If you find a dead mother and the babies are still nursing, remove them immediately. If the mother has been poisoned the poison will be spread to the babies if they continue to suckle.
• Get a box that you can place them in. Make sure that you put something warm, like a blanket or towel, in the bottom. Make sure that you make holes in the top so that they can breathe. If you have a heating pad, you can place it in the box to make sure that there is sufficient heat. Make sure that it is set on low.
• Do not feed the babies! They need a specific formula that is not available from a pet shop or store. A wildlife expert will be able to assist you in feeding them correctly.
• Try not to handle the babies more than necessary. They are extremely fragile and you can kill them.
• They are very sensitive to loud noises and bright lights. The stress of these could kill them. Keep them in a safe area away from pets or children.
• If the babies are larger than 0.5 pounds they will probably be able to look after themselves. If you found them in the wild, they should be okay if you leave them alone.
• Opossums will not make good pets. Trying to keep them and raising them is not recommended.
• Find an Aurora wildlife center that is willing to take them. You can find places on the internet that are better equipped to deal with the babies than you are. Make sure that you have all the necessary information available to give them.

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