Link: http://www.nc-claws.org/rescueneed.htm

Fawn season has begun. I have been getting calls recently from people who find fawn and assume they are in need of rescue. Young fawn, especially those young enough to have a speckled coat (they still have their spots,) are too young to keep up with Mom. The doe will "park" her babies, typically two, but there could be three, and visit them several times during the day to feed and care for them. The rest of the time, they are left alone.

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I love releasing opossums! When an adult or juvenile which has been injured and rehabbed is released back into the wild, it tends to take off running as soon as it is released and never look back. This is especially true of female possums with a pouch full of babies. Orphaned possums that I've hand raised from very little are a different story. They step out into the world slowly, tasting everything in sight. They roam a little ways then come back to sniff at my shoes looking up at me as if saying, "Now what, Mom?" They slowly meander away nibbling vegitation and snapping up insects. Happy little guys, off to explore the world. Happy Mother's Day to all!

Link: http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/4.htm

The Virginia Opossum is a very interesting critter! The only marsupial native to North America, it has a pouch like a Kangaroo where the female carries the babies (called Joeys) until they are weaned at around 3 months of age. The joeys will then ride on mom's back until they are large enough to run with her at night. The gestation period is only 13 days. When born, the joey is very premature and is the size of a raison. The mom licks a path to her pouch so the babies know where to go. Their mouths are sealed shut with the exception of a small hole in the front of the mouth. The babies swollow a nipple into their stomachs as Joeys are unable to suck like most mammals. The female opossum has 13 nipples, but a typical litter size is 7-9 babies.

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