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Short Tailed Opossum Care Page by Daisy MeadowsBasic Information STOs are small marsupials from Brazil. They have a prehensile tail, which they use to hold on to branches (or fingers) and to carry bedding. In native villages in Brazil, a STO as a house guest is considered good luck. This may be partially because they eat rodents, spiders, bugs, and small snakes. STOs are usually around 5-6 in. long plus tail.Housing STOs are pretty simple on the housing requirements. Since they are not rodents, they do not chew, which makes it possible to house them in plastic containers. I use 96 quart Sterilite storage bins with small (pencil-sized) ventilation holes drilled in the sides. It is important to make sure your lid secures tightly, because STOs are known for their escaping abilities. Important cage accessories to have are some kind of hiding place such as a nest box or tube, a wheel, and branches for climbing. A litter box also works well, because of STO's natural urge for cleanliness. They will choose a corner for elimination on the first day in the new cage, and if you place a litter pan there, they will use it almost exclusively. Feeding I feed my STOs a mixture of cat foods, hedgehog foods, and oatmeal baby cereal. I keep this available at all times, then at least 2-3 times per week feed a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, boiled egg, and insects. One major concern for STOs is dehydration. A young STO is not always able to work a water bottle, so it is a good idea to offer small amounts of applesauce frequently until you are sure they are able to work the bottle. Breeding STO gestation is approximately 12 days. Put male and female together for 2 weeks, watching VERY closely for fights. Breeding pairs have been known to fight to the death. At the end of the 2 weeks, seperate the pair, and provide the female with nesting material, such as kleenex, toilet paper, or other soft, safe materials. Babies are born strongly resembling pink jelly beans, and immediately after birth climb up and attach themselves onto the nipples located between the mother's back legs. The nipples swell in the mouth, making it impossible for a detached baby to reattach. Babies wean at approximately 8 weeks. General Health Dehydration is a major concern. Other concerns include outer ear damage, caused by a lack of proper humidity. STOs don't show illness until it is late, so make sure you watch them carefully for any signs of illness. Other Concerns STOs put off a musky odor that can be quite unappealing. It is most strong in males around puberty.
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Short Tail Meadows
