Sugar possum. exotic pets

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Probably no one will be surprised by a cat, freely located on the master's sofa, or a dog, barking joyfully, running out into the hallway. But in recent years, more and more often in the homes of our compatriots appear exotic pets that have come to us from around the world. It can be a ferret or Achatina, an iguana or a tarantula, a chinchilla or an opossum. Today we will tell you about the last representative of exotic animals.

Sugar possum overview

These charming miniature animals live in the eastern and northern regions of Australia, in Tasmania, on the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago, in New Guinea. Most of the time, the flying squirrel (as the opossum is often called) spends on trees and quite rarely descends to the ground. They are most often found in eucalyptus forests. It should be noted that the sugar opossum is a creature that easily adapts to new conditions, and therefore at present it can bemeet in any forest that has the necessary food supply. That is why these cute animals are not yet threatened with extinction.

Opossum is active at night. It feeds on the sweet juice of acacias and some types of eucalyptus, fruits and nectar of other trees. Insects, small vertebrates and invertebrates (protein food) play an important role in the diet of these cute animals.

In the event of a lack of food (in winter), the opossum falls into a state that can be compared to a lethargic sleep. They can stay in it up to 23 hours a day.

The flying squirrel is a social animal. They live in families with up to seven males. The whole family, including adults, but cubs that have not yet left their parents, lives in one nest and shares one territory - about one hundred acres. The leader of the group is the alpha male.

External signs

Opossum, or pygmy flying squirrel, is a very miniature animal. Its body length is from 7 to 23 cm, weight - from 95 to 160 grams. The muzzle of the animal is elongated and slightly pointed. The tail can be very short (6 cm) or very long (50 cm). At its base there are thickenings that are formed due to fat deposits. As a rule, the tail is very fluffy, the fur on it is slightly lighter than on the body. A small body is covered with thick and short hair. Color - yellowish-brown, gray, black. Especially fluffy fur in winter.

Limbs and head

Paws are five-fingered, short. Rearthe limbs are better developed than the forelimbs. The head is small, rounded, blunt. The eyes are large and bulging, black. It has to do with the nocturnal lifestyle. Ears without tassels, rounded.

Building features

Perhaps the most characteristic feature of these animals is the membrane that starts from the fifth toes on the front paws and ends on the first toes of the hind limbs. When jumping, the sugar possum extends its legs to the sides, the membrane stretches, and this allows it to soar through the air for very significant distances (50 meters or more). The direction of flight is controlled by the movements of the tail and paws.

Possum in the house

Exotic pets are very interesting, but they require a lot of attention from the owner.

Opossum is a small but extremely active animal. He needs a lot of space. The sugar opossum, whose photo you see in our article, must have its own home. They can be a fairly spacious cage in which the opossum will warm up when he is not allowed to walk around the apartment. For this purpose, an aviary measuring 50 x 50 x 70 cm is suitable. If you have two animals, then, of course, the cage should be larger.

Possum sounds

We want to warn you right away that these little animals are very talkative creatures. Decided to get a possum? Get ready for more than one sleepless night. Don't be surprised if your pet wants to develop their vocal cords when you are sound asleep. He may plaintively call out to his brethren or hisowner to play with.

If you have two animals, you will have a great opportunity to watch how they communicate with each other. These animals simply cannot sit and be silent. They make noise when they share food, when they go to bed, jump around the cage.

Companion

Opossum definitely needs company. If you do not want to start a second animal, then you need to take on the role of a friend and companion. Get ready to give your pet time to socialize and play.

When a possum "barks"

Indeed, this sound is very reminiscent of a dog barking, but it is more shrill and subtle. It can be heard during the mating season, in addition, the opossum "barks" in case of approaching danger or to force the owner to approach him.

Buzzing

The opossum uses this sound to scare off enemies. To anyone who has never seen an opossum but heard this sound, it may seem that this animal is at least twice as big as it actually is.

Containment conditions

Sugar possum at home feels great, but certain rules must be followed.

Your pet's cage should be cleaned as often as possible. The tray should be washed every day. If a filler is used, this can be done once a week. The perch and the cage itself should be washed twice a month. This cleaning scheme will help get rid of the unpleasant odor. But don't forget whatthe more carefully you will wash the cage, the more actively the animal will mark it. For washing, do not use chemical products, in extreme cases, odorless baby soap.

Sleeping house

A possum's cage must have a cozy place to sleep. If there are two animals, then there should be two minks, as they sometimes quarrel and therefore desire solitude. A wooden birdhouse can become a house, the bottom of which should be covered with soft cloths or hay (do not forget to change them regularly). You can sew a soft fabric house yourself. But the material must be durable, for example, fine corduroy. For lining, it is better to use any cotton fabric. Such a house resembles a pouch - its “neck” is slightly tightened with a ribbon and with it it is attached to the cage. Wash it at least once a week.

Feeding

At home, the sugar opossum should be fed a variety of foods. Ideally, 50% of the diet should be insects - mealworm larvae, crickets. The "main dish" is sprinkled with powdered vitamins and calcium. If this is not done, your pet may develop metabolic bone disease. In addition, the possum can be fed with newborn mice, eggs, canned food for cats - these foods are also a source of protein. 40% of the diet should be juices and nectars. It is not too often that you can pamper your pet with honey. Finely chopped fruits and vegetables should make up at least 10% of the diet. Before giving fruit to your baby, do notforget to spray them with bee pollen. Possums should have free access to fresh water.

Toys

They must be safe for the animal - there cannot be plastic ladders in the cage, open wheels, which are usually used for rodents. Only closed samples can be used, otherwise your pet will pinch its paw or tail. Suitable thick cords made of natural material, tree branches, previously cleared of sharp knots.