A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Pseudocheirus peregrinus
I've just rescued this little Ringtail Possum joey from my cat. It's 2AM, pouring with rain, I'm still half asleep, recovering from a tummy bug, and now have to drive this little one to the nearest 24 hour vet. As an epileptic, driving at night is something I try to avoid, but not to do so could see this little one die. It's in shock and I don't know if it has sustained any injuries so I do my best to keep it warm. Its fur is wet but there's no sign of blood. After about 15 minutes it slowly revives and seems quite calm, and clutches my shirt. We sit quietly for another 15 minutes and I can even hear it suckling my shirt. By this stage it won't let go, its little claws grasping tightly, but I somehow manage to contort my way out of it with the baby still attached. Into the car and off to the vet we go, and after a quick examination it's given the all clear. No injuries but now an orphan, it will be taken into foster care. In time, it will be released back into the wild when old enough. And please don't hate my cat. He's usually inside after dark but on this occasion he didn't come home, not even for dinner. He is a good 'ratter' though and he does earn his keep in that respect, but unfortunately, rats and young ringtails are roughly the same size and he doesn't know the difference. He does, however, bring home all of his catches and announces them loudly, and he knows not to 'grab-and-run' because I will pursue him vigorously. Geckos, grasshoppers, mice, and rats are his usual offerings.... and very rarely baby possums. If I can get to them in time nearly all survive, so this is one lucky little ringy.
Here's a previous spotting of a Ringtail I found in my garden. It provides a little bit more information on the species itself: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/130...
11 Comments
It's my pleasure. How could anyone not help a baby like this, or any animal in great need for that matter? I look at these photos with fondness :-)
Thank you , Neil Ross.
Thank You Neil Ross.
They are the cutest little things. It was fully revived when I reached the vet, and uninjured. They place them into foster care until big enough to fend for themselves, and then released back into bushland reserves. The carers dote on them and are very loving, and I've known a few who are so attached to the animals that they cry when they're released. I'm sure this little one is doing just fine with someone very loving.
Rather late in the day to ask...but how is the little joey? I saw the spotting only today and those eyes just melted my heart.
My conscience wouldn't allow me to do nothing. Something within me 'kicks in' where I know I must take action. I've pulled over or off busy freeways to rescue dogs, birds, cats, etc. It's just my nature. As for the little joey, I've not been back in contact with the vet yet, but I will do so to get details of local carers. I feel bad because it was my cat that caused the drama in the first place. He didn't come home that night so I was unable to put him inside. Much to his credit, he always brings his catches home (in this case at 2am) and he always announces he has something... very loudly. Bad boy... but good boy.
Good on you Neil! Should be more people in the world like you. How's the little one fairing now?
So pleased to hear you were able to rescue this little guy Neil!
Like all babies, this one is gorgeous. Of the two possum species that visit my house, Ringtails are my favourite because they seem so much more gentle than the Brushtails. This baby was so sweet, and lucky to be alive.
Thanks, Stephen. It's now 3:38 am and I am so wide awake, and off to work in a few hours. It's going to be a very long day! My cat is in the dog house, so to speak.
Well done!