Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why I ask is I have been doing opossum rehab and release for about 3yrs now and on average i have had at least 10 joeys in by now, not to mention maybe another 20 to 30 at the center. This yr we have had none yet. Not that i would be complaining except when speaking to other rehabbers in my area we are wondering if something has cycled through the opossum population this yr because it is very strange to see hardly any, not even hit on the road which always happens right about when bb season hits. We already have many animals at the center , just not opossums. Has any one else noticed a decrease this yr. I am in BC , Canada but it wasn't a real cold winter so i don't think that would be it. Hope every ones bb's are doing well.
Barb

We've had six babies so far, about the normal amount at this point in the season. Other rehabbers around here have them too, nobody has commented that there are less than usual. I've seen plenty smooshed in the road too. I'm in Long Island, NY.

well heres to hoping that it is just a late season up here and that nothing has happened to our little interlopers. Apparently some 20 yrs ago there were no opossums up here at all. They are only found in the lower lying areas like the Fraser Valley here in BC. Well good luck to everyone and their little wild foster kids.
Barb

Mild winters and springs usually means fewer babies for the rescues because the momma possums don't have to range as close to human habitations in order to seek out additional food or shelter and are not as likely to get hit by cars and such. At least that is the trend I see with the possums I get in. Last couple of winters have been downright mild and no babies for me to foster. This year I did have a momma brought in with 8 babies but she got hit on a back road in the middle of the night right after a cold rain (foggy conditions, etc.) so it was more of a 'didn't see it in the road' kind of accident I think more so than her just wandering around a major road looking for food. Momma died in route coming to me but I was able to save 5 of the 8 babies (fur was only just starting to come in).

I notice a trend with box turtles too... wet springs/summers mean most turtles brought in will be suffering shell fractures from getting hit by cars. The excess moisture means turtles are more active and roaming around a lot. Springs/summers with dry or drought conditions tend to bring in box turtles with ear and eye infections as there is not enough moisture to help prevent such problems.
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Wyvern