Papoose's Page
Last Update - 06/06/19


She's a real Swimmer !!
Papoose...is a young female who. like all the rest of our Nursery, has an unusual story... Seems that Papoose decided to take a swim in a resort pool on Hilton Head, SC. She was rescued by Dan and Kate Nagy, a vacationing couple from Atlanta, who contacted the Department Of Natural Resource. They put them in touch with Dixie. We decided to keep the name Papoose because Dan seemed to like it and it fits.

I've got my Eye On you.!!
We going to check to see if there's an Opossum Swimming event in the next Olympics. We figure Papoose should at least bring home a silver in the 400 meter Opossum Paddle. She's had lots of practice. Though Opossums can swim, they can't swim for very long and Papoose would surely have drowned if not for the effort of Kate, Dan and their neighbor. Now all dried, calmed, and fed, she's doing well and we expect a full recovery....

The Nose is the Pose !!
If you've been to Oppie's page, you may notice that Papoose is a much darker Opossum. Generally, people don't notice the difference in Opossum appearance and to most, they all look alike. Raising these little critters gives us a chance to get a real close look and we soon are able to tell them apart by color and markings... Each Opossum is unique and can vary drastically in color and markings in the same litter. When very young their ears are solid white but as they get older, the black on begins to move more toward the tips.

Progress Update
Papoose has not developed the affection toward humans that Oppie has. She tend to be far more timid, withdrawn, and defensive. If pestered, she will bite and ultimately do what opossums are famed for, Play dead. She has nearly tripled in size.

A little lower please. That's close enough.. Wonder if I should jump.














Papoose is our 1st Graduate for the Class of 97. She elected to return to the wild during the evening of 25 June. We are confident that she will do well and we hope that she will return to visit. Though, it isn't likely, we will keep a look out for her....