A palm-sized gray marsupial with velvety fur, a naked prehensile tail, and huge dark eyes, the short-tailed opossum is a solitary nocturnal hunter often nicknamed the 'pocket possum.'
Short-Tailed Opossum at home?
Create a free profile and keep what matters in one place:
- Weight
- Nutrition
- Annual check
Free to join. No credit card.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Obesity
- Dental issues
- Nutritional deficiency
Care at a glance
- ExerciseModerate
Daily supervised time outside the enclosure keeps them happy.
- GroomingLow upkeep
They keep themselves clean — just keep the enclosure fresh.
- Living spaceCompact setup
The enclosure is their whole world — fits easily in any home.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment4–8 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Obesity · Dental issues · Nutritional deficiency
📖 Care guide
Native to the scrublands of Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina, Monodelphis domestica is a pouchless marsupial that carries its young clinging to the belly. Adults weigh only 60-150 grams and live roughly four to eight years in captivity. They are strictly solitary and must be housed one per enclosure, since adults will fight if paired. Provide a tall glass tank or fine-barred cage with deep aspen bedding, several hides, and climbing branches, as these agile escape artists exploit any gap. Feed an insectivore base of crickets, mealworms, and a quality insectivore or ferret diet, with small amounts of fruit and the occasional pinkie mouse. Keep the room warm at roughly 24-29C. Handle gently and often from youth to build trust. They are legal in most US states but restricted in California and a few others, so verify local rules first.
Frequently asked questions
How much activity does a Short-Tailed Opossum need?
Moderate. Daily supervised time outside the enclosure keeps them happy.
How much grooming does a Short-Tailed Opossum need?
Low upkeep. They keep themselves clean — just keep the enclosure fresh.
How much space does a Short-Tailed Opossum need?
Compact setup. The enclosure is their whole world — fits easily in any home.
Is a Short-Tailed Opossum a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Short-Tailed Opossum live?
4–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Short-Tailed Opossum?
Keep an eye out for Obesity, Dental issues, Nutritional deficiency. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
Similar breeds
Short-Tailed Opossum community
0 members
Be the first to join this community!
Community feed
Not sure this is the breed for you?
Answer 7 short questions and get ranked matches for your lifestyle.
Try the match quiz