Can You Have A Possum As A Pet In Massachusetts?

Can you have a possum as a pet in Massachusetts?

You cannot have in your possession any mammal not listed as legal or domestic

.

What exotic pets can you own in Massachusetts?

So if you’re thinking just a dog or a cat might not do it for you, there are some exotic animals you can own in Massachusetts.

Hedgehogs, chinchillas and Southern Flying Squirrels

are all legal in the state.

What states is it legal to have a pet opossum?

You may be able to own a pet opossum in

Colorado, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, and North Dakota

with a permit. In Missouri, you can keep an opossum as a pet, but the Virginia Opossum is considered a large carnivore, so large carnivore permitting is needed.

Can you have a raccoon as a pet in Massachusetts?

Bans on Raccoon Ownership

Some states in which

owning raccoons is forbidden by law

include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Can you have a pet opossum?

Opossums are not native to California.

It’s a violation of California law for any wildlife to be kept as pets

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What animals are legal in Massachusetts?

• American Bullfrog.
• American Toad.
• DeKay’s Brown Snake.
• Eastern Garter Snake.
• Eastern Newt.
• Eastern Racer.
• Eastern Red-backed Salamander.
• Eastern Ribbonsnake.

Are pet skunks legal in Massachusetts?

It is currently legal to own domesticated skunks in only 17 states

: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Can you potty train a possum?

Whether you’ve just adopted a short tailed or a Virginia opossum as a pet,

you can train your opossum to use a litter box

. Both opossum species are clean animals and both tend to choose designated areas to defecate and urinate. These qualities make litter box training easier to accomplish.

Can you pick up a possum?

If the opossum is very small (still thermoregulating) you can pick it up by the tail or body

, always taking care to make your final approach from the rear. Going right over their head is threatening and will usually gain a harmless snap up at you at that age.

How do you raise a possum?

Are ferrets legal in Massachusetts?

It is legal to own a pet ferret in Massachusetts

and it is possible to even find a small mammal veterinarian who specializes in providing ferret veterinary care in Dartmouth.

Can you bury a dog in your backyard in Massachusetts?

While many towns and cities throughout the commonwealth allow backyard pet burial, it’s not a hard “yes” or “no” across the State of Massachusetts. According to mass.gov,

the decision to legally bury your pet in your backyard is up to the individual town or city

.

Can you own sugar gliders in Massachusetts?

Note that

sugar gliders are legal in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts

. Other states may require a permit to own them.

Can I buy opossums?

To keep a captive opossum legally,

you need a wildlife rehabilitation permit from your state

. Depending on where you live, you might need to volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator, take a training class or pass a written exam to get the permit. Once they’re healthy, rehabilitated possums always should be released.

How long do pet possums live?

Captive opossums normally live

between 3-4 years

, however up to 8-10 years has been described.

Do possums bite you?

Do Opossums Bite? Just like any scared animal,

it’s possible for opossums to bite in defense

. If they feel cornered or threatened, opossums will use several escape strategies ranging from playing dead to hissing. Biting is rare, but people should avoid contact with all wild animals to eliminate the risk.

How many pets can you have in Massachusetts?

Residents may have

three (3) licensed dogs

. If the dogs have puppies, the puppies may stay with the mothers for six (6) months. Anyone housing more than three (3) adult dogs would need to apply for a kennel license in the Town Clerk’s office.

What is the state dog of Massachusetts?

State Dog or Dog Emblem

The

Boston Terrier

(Canis familiaris bostenensis), the first purebred dog developed in America (1869), is a cross between an English bulldog and an English terrier. It was recognized by the Legislature on May 14, 1979 as the state dog or dog emblem of the Commonwealth.

How many cats can you legally own in Massachusetts?

Other provisions

Dennis – limits a person from keeping more than

six cats over the age of six months

. Fairhaven – any person that keeps five or more cats is required to get a permit and be subject to inspections. States that a litter of kittens may be kept for a period not to exceed six weeks.

Are finger monkeys legal in Massachusetts?

Marmosets, as well as all other monkeys, fall into a category of animals which

require a permit to keep in Massachusetts

.

Can you have a raccoon as a pet?

If you find a raccoon that has been domesticated or rehabilitated, they can be a loving and playful pet.

It’s only legal in 16 states to own pet raccoons

. You’ll need to find out if your state allows them before bringing one into your home. Domesticated raccoons can be housetrained and become affectionate.

Is fox a pet?

The reality is

they don’t make great pets

, and in some states it is illegal to own one. Foxes are wild animals, meaning they have not been domesticated. Unlike other species like dogs and cats, which have been bred to live easily with people, foxes don’t do well as indoor animals.

Do possums like baths?

What do you feed pet opossums?

The best way to ensure your Opossum is getting the proper nutrients is to feed them

a quality pellet diet like Insectivore-Fare, supplemented with lots of fresh vegetables and occasionally meat, eggs, insects, or plain low-fat yogurt as an added protein source

.

Are opossums playful?

May be awake and more playful in the evening hours

. 70 to 80 degrees. They like it warmer while sleeping, conditions met in their sleeping box. Being nocturnal, bright lights should be avoided.

Do possums like humans?

Opossums are not aggressive

and will often run away when interrupted. They will not attack you if you don’t provoke them. But they will be quite happy and prepared to open up their huge mouths and display all their teeth if you provoke them.

Are possums smart?

Opossums Are Smart Critters

For one, they have a remarkable ability to find food and to remember where it is. When tested, opossums outscored rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs — but not humans. 2 They also can find their way through a maze more efficiently than rats and cats.

What happens if you touch a baby possum?

If your touch an opossum with your bare hands, chances are that

it might bite you and you could get infected with numerous serious diseases

, rabies being one of them. Opossums are a species of animals that can carry and transmit rabies, which happens through bites.

What diseases do possums carry?

Do cats and possums get along?

Adult opossums and cats seem to have a mutual respect and leave each other alone

. In general, opossums are docile, non-aggressive animals and will not attack your pets. They prefer to escape and avoid confrontations, if possible.

Are pitbulls illegal in Massachusetts?

Breed Specific Restrictions

While

the state of Massachusetts does restrict pit bull ownership and breeding

, this also applies to other dogs that are close in relation or those known to have vicious or dangerous behavior which could cause more severe injury.

Are savannah cats legal in Massachusetts?

Where are pet foxes legal?

What to do after cat dies?

1. DO make sure that the pet is deceased. Animals often sleep very still for long periods. …
2. DO contact your vet as soon as possible. …
3. DO place a towel under the tail and mouth of your pet. …
4. DO let other pets smell the deceased pet.

What happens if my dog bites someone in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is a strict liability dog bite state. Section 155 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that if any dog damages someone’s property or causes an injury,

the owner or keeper of the pet will be liable for such damage

.

Can pet ashes be buried with humans in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law currently prohibits cemeteries from letting humans and animals be buried together

.