r/Opossums • u/FigVioletTeddy • 1d ago

Question about Mom’s and Joey’s

Through the years, I get mom opossums with joeys in her pouch. At the point the joeys are about 4”, they start falling out of her pouch and I watch on pins and needles for them to crawl back in her pouch or on her back so they aren’t left behind. The other day I found one 4.5” long and took it to wildlife rehabilitation center. Here is my question. I read that at 4” or 4 1/2”Mom does not leave them in the den while she forges for food so why is it that over the years once they start falling out of her pouch at 4 inches, I never see her with them again and I never see toddlers from her grown litter that come to the feeding station. Is she losing them all one by one as they fall out and are left for prey? I’m watching her now eating and she has no joeys in her pouch or her back,

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u/Opossum_2020 Mod 1d ago

I don't know the answer, but I have encountered the same situation myself and it perplexes me.

2

u/Individual-Metal7875 thicc 'pos 1d ago

I've read when they get too big to carry, they stay in the den. I assume she wants a meal to herself! Maybe she leaves them to find food for themselves and practice?