This leads to many kind-hearted animal lovers wanting to take the animal in and raise them as a pet. It does not absolutely prohibit owning an opossum, but it is necessary that you have a permit to take or keep a wild furry animal, including an opossum. This means that like owning a Puffin, they just dont make good pets and cant be domesticated. Perhaps the most open state when it comes to owning exotic animals is Oklahoma which even allows tigers as pets! Look for a nesting box of good quality, branches to climb, and an exercise wheel for nighttime. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals - last updated April 14, 2021 Not only will you get the chance to see them in their natural habitat, but you may even get the chance to feed them. Large carnivores (lions, tigers, and bears) are prohibited from owning. They do not dig up the yard or eat your newly planted flowers, but they will eat the pests that will destroy your grass, kill your bushes and eat your flowers. It is crucial to understand the law in order to ensure that you are staying within the legal boundaries. Yes it's legal to kill a raccoon in Texas, now do you live in the city limits if not, then a 22 will do the trick, if you do, just take the cage and drive to a nearby wooded area and release them, that's what I used to do. Generally, if given a chance they will flee from danger. So, if they did get the chance to escape then they would do so. There is likewise a limit of 6 animals per owner for bobcats, squirrels, bunnies, raccoons, quail, opossum, coyote, deer, red fox, and gray fox. Use high-quality reinforcement to make sure your possum stays safe, satisfied, and contended. (361) 547-2635. possess live fur-bearing animals as pets.This IS NOT a pet permit.. Volunteering is a great way to support the conservation of these animals and their habitats. These licenses are not issued for the purpose of holding native wildlife as pets. Failing to provide food, care or shelter. of the section. Public Use Areas; Waterfowl Hunting; . Youll get the chance to help care for these animals and learn more about them. (4)Custody includes responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of an animal subject This is something vital when thinking about possums as pets. All lake rangers are Texas state-licensed peace officers with a vast range of experience in law enforcement. A possum is a very uncommon pet. FRESNO - 1234 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 (559) 222-3761. The laws are to protect both you and the animal from harm. If youre looking for a way to interact with possums in Texas, consider rehabilitation or adoption. These exotic animals are friendly and very small. While a few possums are pretty lovely and easy to handle, there are some reasons why possums arent great animals to have as pets. FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. The opossum, while not the most beautiful of animals is extremely beneficial to the environment. Although opossums are considered wildlife, some states have no restrictions surrounding pet ownership of wild animals. If youre looking to experience wildlife without actually owning an opossum as a pet, there are plenty of options available. Does Chain Lightning deal damage to its original target first? Could a torque converter be used to couple a prop to a higher RPM piston engine? You need to possum-proof your house. Hawaii: Peafowl. (d) A person who possesses a hunting license may take and possess a By Dalia Azim. If you are caught possessing an opossum, you will face criminal charges. The body temperature of a opossum is lower than other mammals, therefore, many diseases cant multiply fast enough to overwhelm the opossums excellent immune system. Realistically, there are only two ways to own a pet Possum in Texas. You can see their eyes reflecting just like deer, etc. 4. You may be able to own a pet opossum in Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota with a permit. Sometimes wildlife can be dangerous or harmful to humans. (f)It is an exception to the application of this section that the conduct engaged Sugar gliders could make excellent pets due to the fact theyre playful and social animals. They will need a suitable, secure cage to live in because they are adept at escaping. These creatures are agile and curious. Males weigh between 0.22-0.35 pounds (100-160 grams), and females weigh between 0.18-0.29 pounds (80-130 grams). Can I have a pet possum in California? These tiny possums look like squirrels because of their size. act of snaring, trapping, shooting, killing, or capturing by any means Exploring the Possibilities of Natures Little Acrobats, Alternatives to Keeping a Possum as a Pet. Contact the Texas office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--Wildlife Services with concerns about nuisance wildlife. Possession of a possum as a pet can lead to criminal charges. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. The term does not include an uncaptured wild living creature or a livestock animal. Copyright All rights reserved. Depending on wherein you purchase a possum, they have the capability to hold very dangerous illnesses which are deadly to humans. If you did happen to illegally own a pet Possum then it would run away if given the chance. Their jobs required them to perform . Sometimes, an orphaned possum may be found abandoned. Animals regulated include: game animals, game birds, deer, exotic species, threatened and endangered species, bobcats, raptors, alligators, "fur bearing" animals (beavers, raccoons, foxes, minks, and others). . For cruelty offenses involving the torture, killing, seriously injuring, poisoning, fighting, or tripping of an animal, a state jail felony may be . To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. For other information concerning hunting and fishing regulations, parks, wildlife or other subjects related to TPWD, call our toll-free number: (800) 792-GAME to report a violation of the state's game and fish laws. Arkansas, Wyoming, and Wisconsin do not require a permit to keep a pet opossum. Short-tailed possums live for approximately four-eight years. on Why its illegal to own a Possum in Texas. This is because a sugar glider could easily squeeze out. (2)animal husbandry or agriculture practice involving livestock animals. Not every animal is the same as a domestic cat or a dog, and some just cant really be tamed. In this article, well cover the regulations in Texas that regulate possums, legal exceptions, and alternatives to owning a possum as a pet. Carefully follow instructions for the best results. ), falcons and other raptors, bobcats, nongame wildlife, white tailed deer, alligators, endangered species, and more. Remember, not every state is the same and when it comes to the law, certain states are more liberal and open minded compared to others. Reticulated Pythons. Kinkajous are legal in Texas and a few other states, such as New York and North Carolina. This could cause higher clinical payments than expected. Well never know if the opossum is grateful we are so messy or if they scurry around feeling harassed and under-appreciated. Why? Yes, they are our only marsupial in North America. You may be able to own a pet opossum in Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota with a permit. Because of their slower metabolism, they are not as susceptible to the venom. Lets start out with all the things they eat that we dont want to share our back yard with. We Hope You Find It Useful. 93) This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. Its a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets. There is a test required, to be sure you know how to rehabilitate wild animals, plus a requirement for letters of support from conservationists, veterinarians or rehabilitators. https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/fur-bearing-animal-regulations/. If you want to interact with them, there are better options out there, such as rehabilitation and adoption. They have remained unchanged since the time of the dinosaur. Things to consider are your lifestyle, what kind of animal can fit in your living space, and your commitment to caring for the animal. Rehabilitating a wild animal is no easy task, and it requires patience, knowledge, and dedication. There sort of is a law, this one. If you are interested in caring for a possum long-term, you can look into possum adoption. Fish and Wildlife, Endangered Species Program, Please take our patron satisfaction survey. This department works with local officials to investigate pests and diseases which are transmissible from animals to humans (including rabies & West Nile Virus). However, in extreme circumstances, they will play possum This is not a voluntary decision for the opossum, it goes into a state of shock which causes their bodies to become stiff and their breathing to slow down. In conclusion, its important to remember that owning an opossum as a pet in Texas is illegal. In this case, it probably wouldnt try to escape either if it was physically weak. Posted March 28, 2011 (edited) Ensure that the bars have an area no larger than 0.5-inch among them. Thats why its best to leave it in the hands of the professionals, who will have the right resources to help the opossum have a chance at being released back into the wild. It's a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets. Rehabilitating a formerly injured possum, adopting one from a wildlife rescue organization, or participating in possum-watching programs are all excellent ways to interact with these fascinating mammals without harming them or facing legal repercussions. I wanted to add a piece to @user6726 comment for anyone that comes across this answer which both of you may also find helpful. In 2001, the law also defined dangerous wild animal to include exotic animals like lions, chimpanzees, tigers, bears, leopards, and others. Possums are cool. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a Wildlife Services office. Photo: Flickr/Professor Batty. The pronghorn is capable of running 30 miles/hour and sustaining that pace for more than 20 miles! Because of their slower metabolism, they are not as susceptible to the venom. Are there any permits to own Possums in Texas? This Texas agency divison is responsible for conducting field research, interpreting the data and partnering with private landowners to support conservation of threatened species. Theme Easy Magazine by. This chapter, "Endangered Species," authorizes Texas Parks and Wildlife to submit a list of fish or wildlife threatened with statewide extinction. However, if you plan on keeping a Virginia Opossum as a pet in Oregon, you will need to get a permit. (2)the actor was engaged in bona fide experimentation for scientific research. (2)the person killed or injured the animal within the scope of the person's employment You can get up close and personal with these creatures by going on a wildlife tour. Either way, there is no doubt the lowly opossum should be welcomed with open arms. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The natural law philosopher believes that the law should reflect universal moral and ethical principles that are part of human nature., A court's direction to a party to do or to refrain from doing a particular act is a rescission., The United States has a common law system. They have lengthy snouts and sharp teeth. They need a lot of protein, low fat, and dry food. To check on a license or report a possible trapping violation, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife Trapping License Office 916-928-5852 or one of the regional offices, or, call CalTip at 1-888-334-2258. (2) " Animal " means a domesticated living creature, including any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously captured. (b)A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: (1)tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking. They are the only mammal that routinely dines on snakes, including poisonous snakes. LEGAL STATUS The California Fish and Game Code classifies opossums as nongame mammals. We were living in Brooklyn at the time, and Dale was excited to introduce me to his father's side of the family . If youre not in a position to adopt a possum, you can still support their welfare. Because short-tails can easily get dehydrated, it is important for water to be accessible and clean in their hanging water bottles. Theyre wild animals who dont fare well often in captivity. They will fight with each other if they are placed in an identical cage; they might even kill each other. This list includes all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreeds of these animals. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs. For instance, you can legally own a pet Lemur or Sloth which are arguably cooler pets than Possums anyway. However, mainly in the North. This part of it, specifically, may help.. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.71.htm. Pennsylvania. It really upsets me when I see them killed on the roads and all it would take to make this less common is drivers slowing down on backroads and paying more attention. Although the statute does not specifically prohibit keeping a fur-bearing animal as a pet, it does authorize Parks and Wildlife to promulgate and enforce regulations. One of the most frequently asked questions about exotic pet ownership in Texas is whether its legal to own a Possum in the lone star state. Can you relocate a possum in Texas? It's illegal to keep a kangaroo as a pet in the preponderance of the United States. Apr. They are highly affectionate, relatively clean, and generally very healthy. These are wild creatures, so generally, they do not make nice pets and arent always a prison to the house. Can you revoke consent to record a conversation in Texas? The center can then work to rehabilitate the animal and return it to the wild. Ultimately, what would happen is you apply for a license, but they would deny the application because you don't plan to propagate the animal, or skin it. Can one claim unclaimed poultry living on their property? Apply Neem oil as a botanical pesticide. No matter what you decide to do, it is important to be aware of the law when it comes to owning a possum as a pet in Texas. Assuming your locality does not ban wild animals entirely or opossums specifically (or both) to include both city and county, this may be the loophole for the Texas restriction on it being a fur-bearing animal, and as per the statute that regulates them you are able to take and possess them with a hunting license so long as it doesn't violate those stipulations. the animal in a state of good health. 3) Killing possums could also lead to an increase in the population of other animals that prey on them, such as coyotes. However, fur-bearing animals or their pelts taken for these purposesmay not be retained or possessed by anyone at any timeexcept licensed trappers during the lawful open season and possession periods. Dental issues also are common amongst some possums. 4) Possums are sometimes considered cute or harmless, and killing them could cause public outcry. Opossums are North America's only native marsupials. electricity transmission or distribution, electricity generation or operations associated Not all vets in your location have specialized in possum care. Answer: Probably not, since they are native animals and furbearers. It is important to understand the legal implications of owning a possum before taking one in as a pet. How to intersect two lines that are not touching. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The local news was talking to a game warden from Lake Texoma the other day and he said that it was illegal to remove anything from the islands located in the lake and surrounding lake area's. Supposedly the lake is eroding badly in places and they are trying to stop it. If youre really passionate about opossums, you can also consider becoming a volunteer at a local wildlife rescue or rehabilitation center. And finally, you could look into wildlife watching programs that allow you to observe and interact with opossums in a safe, controlled environment. In Nebraska, pet owners will need to acquire a captive wildlife permit before keeping an opossum as a pet. Tiger King 2.0: Is a Texas Roadside Zoo Permissible? Another reason to love the Opossum is that it is a very clean and healthy animal. That we dont want to share our back yard with is important for water to be kept as.... On snakes, including poisonous snakes to interact with them, such as New York and Carolina. Most open state when it comes to owning exotic animals is Oklahoma which even allows tigers pets... Dehydrated, it probably wouldnt try to escape either if it was physically weak for any wildlife to be and. 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