Sugar opossum. Exotic pets

Probably, no one will be surprised by the cat, freely located on the master's couch, or a dog with a joyful bark running out into the hallway. But in recent years, more and more often in the homes of our compatriots there are exotic pets that have come to us from different countries of the world. It can be a ferret or ahaatin, an iguana or a tarantula spider, a chinchilla or an opossum. The last representative of exotic animals we will tell you today.

Sugar Opossum: general information

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. The main time flying protein (so often called opossum) spends on trees and rarely descends to the ground. Most often they are found in eucalyptus forests. It should be noted that the sugar opossum is a creature that easily adapts to the new conditions, and therefore at present it can be found in any forest in which there is a necessary food base. That's why these cute animals are not yet threatened with extinction.

Opposum is active at night. It feeds on sweet acacia juice 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 case of a lack of feed (in winter), the opossum falls into a state that can be compared to a lethargic sleep. They can stay there until 23 hours a day.

Flying squirrel is a social animal. They live in families, in which there are up to seven males. The whole family, including adults, but not yet left the parents of the cubs, lives in one nest and shares one territory - about one hundred. The main one in the group is the alpha male.

External signs

Opossum, or dwarf flying squirrel, very small animal. The length of his body 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 quite short (6 cm) or very long (50 cm). At its base there are thickenings, which 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 covers a thick and short coat. Color - yellowish-brown, gray, black. Especially fluffy fur in the winter.

Limbs and head

Paws five-fingered, short. Hind legs are better developed than the forelimbs. Head small, rounded, blunt-nosed. Eyes large and convex, black in color. This is due to the night way of life. Ears without brushes, rounded.

Features of the structure

Perhaps the most characteristic feature of these animals is the membrane, starting from the fifth toes on the front legs and ending on the first toes of the hind limbs. In the jump, the sugar opossum pulls the paws 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 regulated by the movements of the tail and paws.

Opossum 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. Sugar opossum, the photo of which you see in our article, should have your own house. They can become quite a spacious cage, in which the possum will warm up, when it is not released for a walk around the apartment. For this purpose, an aviary size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm will fit. If you get two animals, then, naturally, the cage should be larger.

Sounds of opossums

Just want to warn you that these little animals are very talkative creatures. Have you decided to start possums? Prepare not for one sleepless night. Do not be surprised if your pet wants to develop its vocal cords when you're sleeping sweetly. He can plaintively summon his fellows or his master to play with him.

If you have two animals, you will have a great opportunity to observe how they communicate with each other. Sit and be silent these animals simply can not. They make a noise when they share food, when they go to bed, they jump around the cage.

Companion

Opossum necessarily need a company. If you do not want to start a second animal, then the role of a friend and companion you need to take on. Prepare to the fact that you have to give your pet time for communication and games.

When opossum "barks"

Indeed, this sound is very similar to dog barking, but it is more piercing and delicate. It can be heard during the mating season, in addition, the opossum "barks" in the event of imminent danger or to force the master to approach him.

Buzz

To reproduce this sound opossum resorts to frightening off enemies. Everyone who has never seen an opossum, but has heard this sound, it may seem that this animal is more, at least twice, than it really is.

Conditions of detention

Sugar opossum at home feels fine, but certain rules must be respected.

The cage of your pet should be cleaned as often as possible. The tray should be washed every day. If you use a filler, you can do it once a week. The perch and the cell itself should be washed twice a month. This scheme of cleaning will help get rid of the unpleasant smell. But do not forget, the more thoroughly you wash the cage, the more active the animal will be to mark it. For washing, you can not use chemicals, in extreme cases, a child's soap that does not have a smell.

House for sleep

In the cell of the opossum, there must necessarily be a cozy place for sleeping. If the animals are two, then the mink must be two, because they sometimes quarrel and therefore want privacy. The house can become a wooden birdhouse, the bottom of which should be covered with soft cloths or hay (do not forget to change them regularly). You can sew a soft house of fabric yourself. But the material should be strong, for example, fine corduroy. It is better to use any cotton fabric for lining. This house resembles a pouch - its neck is tightened with a ribbon and it is attached to the cage. You should wash it at least once a week.

Feeding

At home, the sugar possum should receive a variety of food. 50% of the diet should ideally consist of insects - the larvae of flour soup crust, crickets. "The main dish" is sprinkled with powdered vitamins and calcium. If this is not done, your pet can develop a metabolic bone disease. In addition, opossum can be fed with newborn mice, eggs, canned food for cats - this food is also a source of protein. 40% of the diet should be juices and nectars. Not too often you can pamper your pet with honey. Finely chopped fruits and vegetables should be at least 10% of the diet. Before you give the baby fruit, do not forget to sprinkle them with bee pollen. Opusums should have free access to fresh water.

Toys

They should be safe for the animal - in the cage there can not be plastic ladders, open wheels, which are usually used for rodents. You can use only closed samples, otherwise your pet will pinch its paw or tail. Suitable thick cords of natural material, the branches of the tree, previously cleaned from sharp knots.