Our over-wintering opossums are tired of being cooped up and are eager for spring, but its little treats like this that really ignite the spark in their eyes.
Sadly, November and December where a difficult time not only for humans but for wildlife as well. We had so many animals come in that where barely clinging to life either from the cold, falls or from car strikes as they desperately searched for food thru 4 feet of snow wind and ice.
Accident happen every day and sometimes there is nothing we can do to save that animal no matter how much we want to, or how hard we try. I believe that it is better not to waste the life of an animal that did not survive their accident, but to allow them to go on to nourish another. I believe allowing them to nourish another is more respectful to them then going to the landfill or being incinerated. I do bury the dead when I can, but often times I'm concentrating all my time and energy on the living and sadly, there just isn't always time for a proper burial.
This is Raised by Finder Opossom, or Earnie as we call him, he is so happy for this treat before him, a hawk that was struck by a car in November that died shortly after arriving due to his terrible injuries. Earnie is so thankful and excited for this nature placed dish before him. Dig in my friend BON APPETIT!
In the wild opossums are scavengers, eating just about anything they can find including dead and decaying animals. They consume the entire animal bones and all. They do this to make sure that they get enough minerals, especially calcium. Opossums are very prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD) which is an abnormality in bones caused by a deficiency in minerals like calcium and phosphorus that leads to bone pain, bone fragility, fractures, difficulty walking, bowed knees, tooth problems and difficulty breathing due to compressed disks in the spine. Metabolic bone disease is a very painful and fatal disease. By consuming the entire animal bones and all the opossums rounds out his diet, so to speak, and assures he gets the minerals he needs. They are well adapted to digest almost anything. They are also great for the environment because they help remove pathogens by eating dead animals and food waste that could otherwise harbor disease or toxins.
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