Squirrel Friends Wildlife Rescue

Opossums do not suckle and give birth to underdeveloped babies!!!

North Carolina’s only native opossum is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), a marsupial found across the entire state from the coast and barrier islands to the Piedmont and lower mountain regions.

Unlike placental mammals, opossums give birth to extremely undeveloped young after a very short gestation period of just 12 to 13 days, one of the shortest of any mammal. The tiny newborns, each about the size of a bee, must crawl unassisted into the mother’s marsupium (pouch), where they attach to one of her thirteen nipples. They do not suckle in the traditional sense. Instead, once latched, they remain firmly attached as milk is delivered directly into their mouths. They will stay in the pouch for about two months, then ride on the mother’s back for several more weeks as they continue to grow and learn how to navigate their environment.

At Squirrel Friends Network, our devoted rehabilitators are trained to care for orphaned and injured opossums through each delicate stage of development. If you have found an opossum in need, visit our Locate page to find a nearby wildlife rehabilitator. Please note that not all rehabilitators choose to publicly list their contact information. If you need help connecting with someone, reach out to us directly.