Possum growth?

Question

Okay so last night I saw a possum with its head stuck in a McDonalds mcflurry cup. He was trying really hard to escape it but couldnt. He was really small so I am guessing he was a baby. I got the cup off, but the plastic top was stuck around his neck. I tried for about 30 minutes to get it off. I am very upset I had to leave it like that, and I was wondering if they get too much bigger? I am concerned it is going to strangle him.

It was in an apartment parking lot, after I got the cup off, he was very skiddish, he ran into a wooded area, I plan on going back and trying to find him tonight.

It was about the size of an a young cat. Not fat though. really small head.

Answer 1

Yes, the possum will continue to grow. There are 'average' growth ranges, just like humans, but many differences within that range. No matter, it's in deep, deep trouble.

It's VERY important that remove that ring around its neck. Between slow strangulation & the eventual cutting into its skin & subsequent abscess, no prospects are good.

Call a wildlife rehabber in your area (or animal control as a last resort) and see if you can work together to trap this guy. The easiest place to find a rehabber if there's not a wildlife center in your arera, is to contact your local vets - especially the 24-hour emergency animal hospitals. Most all of them work with rehabbers. Trapping a wild animal can be dangerous business, and is nearly ALWAYS illegal, so doing this on your own is dicey at best.

You may think about contacting the McDonald's manager & telling him/her the situation. Ask if s/he'll cover the cost of the trap & have the nighttime employees take turns checking on the trap, so you don't have to hang out there all night. This is an opportunity for them to look good to the community. Mention it.

That said, if you can find no help, here's how to do this with minimal danger to you & stress to the animal:

Get a 'safe trap' (one brand is Have-a-Heart). They're available from hardware or feed stores. They aren't cheap, but with a few phone calls you may be able to borrow one from animal control. If there are any feral cat rescue groups in your area, they have them, and may even help you once you explain the situation.

Set up the trap in the area and bait it with canned cat food (chicken, not tuna). Understand that you may catch a feral cat, a raccoon, or the wrong possum. If that occurs, cover the cage with a towel, stand WAY out of the way, and open one end of the cage. The animal will dart out. Re-bait the trap & start again.

Possums do not carry rabies - their body temp is too low to actively support the virus, so there's no worry there. Can't say the same for ferals & coonies, though -- be careful. Once you've trapped your guy, fold a sheet or towel several times so you have a nice thickness, and dump him out of the trap & into a box. If the rescue gods are smiling, he'll play possum (they really do this) & it'll be easy on both of you.

Ready a pair of scissors, put a welding glove on your non-dominant hand, hold the folded towel in the glove & gently cover the animal's head & turn its head so you have access to its neck. If he's not playing possum, he'll open his mouth, flash those sharp little teeth, show you how big & bad he is & hiss like the very devil. Call it dinner & a movie, cuz it's mostly show. Make no mistake, he will bite, given the chance, but he's really hoping you go away. By now, you may be hoping the same thing .

Cover that head, turn it away for neck access, slip the blade under the plastic & snip!

Turn the box on its side & say buh-bye to your now-safe buddy. He'll waddle off & YOU'RE A HERO!!!

Answer 2

I live in Anaheim, CA and I have possums all over the place - they even sink in the cat door and help themselves to my cat's food. They will grow - they grow to about the size of a cat -so - if you can find the little bugger I'd definitely get that thing off of his neck because yes - he probably would get strangled. I don't understand why you didn't get a pair of scissors and cut the thing off from around his neck? If you see him again - grab a towel and catch him with the towel so he doesn't bite you (cause they do bite) and get a pair of scissors and cut it off his neck - please. Put some cat food or dog food out if you have some & if not go buy a can and he'll possibly come back tonight if there's food out - their nocturnal so they sleep during the day but very active at night. Good luck.

Answer 3

I think the chances of it dying by getting strangled are quite small. when animals like that panic, they use all the strength they have to escape, and so he will use his teeth and claws to shred the plastic. Have you ever seen the devastation an ordinary house cat can cause to plastic containers? Be sure the little bugger will take his time to escape from his latest-fashion collar soon enough.

Answer 4

How long, or big, would u say the oposum? Because oposum don't get much bigger than a cat. Depending on the size at the time, it could have strangled him, or her.

Answer 5

Possums are NOT rodents...though they sure are VERMIN! Shoulda killed it while you had the chance. Oh well,next time you'll know better.

Answer 6

It will most likly strangle him, as he will get quite large.

That's what is so sad about littering.

Answer 7

take it to a local vet im sure they can help. thats what they're for right?

Answer 8

oppusums are rodents.