HELP IRVINE NAME OUR NEWEST ANIMAL AMBASSADOR: A male virginia opossum
Meet the newest addition to Irvine’s Animal Ambassador family- a juvenile male Virginia Opossum! Virginia Opossums, also known as North American Opossums, are the only marsupials in North America. Marsupial are animals that complete their development in their mother’s external pouch. They are also nocturnal, which means that they are primarily awake at night. Despite misconceptions, Virginia opossums are not a nuisance- virtually immune to rabies, shy and unlikely to bite, and not a threat to us or our pets.
Irvine’s Animal Care team retrieved an energetic juvenile male Virginia Opossum from Chadwell Animal Hospital where he received care after being found alone in the wild by one of their experienced vet techs. He is what is known as an imprinted animal, meaning he has formed a strong bond with humans and would not survive in the wild on his own. Irvine is excited to welcome this little gentleman to our center where he lives in an enclosure in our Exhibit Hall, giving all visitors a front row seat to his life. The Animal Ambassadors at Irvine cannot survive in the wild because of injury, illness, or human intervention. Each one receives excellent care and enrichment and helps Irvine’s Naturalists and Educators teach both children and adults about the impact that human development can have on native animal species.
Now for the final step in welcoming our newest addition- giving him a name!
The voting has closed. Stop by and meet this wonderful animal ambassador in person.
