They are determined in South, North, and Central America. For other information concerning hunting and fishing regulations, parks, wildlife or other subjects related to TPWD, call our toll-free number: (800) 792-GAME to report a violation of the state's game and fish laws. The . Email subscriber privacy policy This part of it, specifically, may help.. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.71.htm. Though there are a few exceptions, these are highly unusual and you should not attempt to get a possum as a pet unless you are sure you qualify for one. Understand this. 160 or 220) and foothold traps (Nos. However, many cases end in heartbreak for the owner and unnecessary suffering for the possum. Who's legally responsible for vet bill in pet injury, owner or pet sitter? 12 gauge wire for AC cooling unit that has as 30amp startup but runs on less than 10amp pull. There are other ways to interact with and enjoy opossums, such as opossum rehabilitation, adoption, and wildlife watching activities. Possums can also suffer from health issues. The Website Is Run And Managed By A Community Of Enthusiasts Informative About Pets. According to the agency, this resource is a "study reference prepared by the Texas Department of State Health Services' Zoonosis Control Branch (ZCB). 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. It is important to make sure their diet is low in fat and high in protein. | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-42-092/. Do Possums Make Great Pets? CODE OF ORDINANCES City of McALLEN, TEXAS Codified through Ordinance No. If you find a wild opossum, the best thing to do is call your local wildlife rescue center for help. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Can a rotating object accelerate by changing shape? Consider volunteering in possum rehabilitation centers or donating to organizations that care for and research these animals. If you forego the propagation (breeding, I believe) and trapping licenses (there appear to be many others as well), there's this tidbit: EDIT: This is the same statute listed above by @user6726, and it has quite a bit of info in it. And finally, you could look into wildlife watching programs that allow you to observe and interact with opossums in a safe, controlled environment. An unknown person . Opossums are more typically referred to clearly as possums in the Midwest and South of the USA. You can get up close and personal with these creatures by going on a wildlife tour. All rights reserved. However, making a difference can assist solve any issues youre dealing with. (f)It is an exception to the application of this section that the conduct engaged Many of these organizations also provide educational opportunities, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops. Arkansas Exotic Pet Laws. Depending on the situation, those charged may face fines, jail time, and a criminal record. Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. It is important to be aware of the legal implications before attempting to acquire a possum as a pet. Copyright All rights reserved. Because opossums are considered wildlife, keeping one as a pet is banned in most states. Possums can be adopted through certain organizations, providing them with a safe home while also providing humans with the chance to observe and learn more about the animals in a controlled environment. and possesses a retail fur buyer's or wholesale fur dealer's license. Thanks for contributing an answer to Law Stack Exchange! These guides from Texas Parks and Wildlife discuss "nuisance wildlife" including: alligators, bears, cowbirds, urban coyotes, feral hogs, herons, mountain lions . To check on a license or report a possible trapping violation, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife Trapping License Office 916-928-5852 or one of the regional offices, or, call CalTip at 1-888-334-2258. Welcome To The Oxford Family! By Georgia Law, most native species of wildlife cannot be held without permits or licenses. Both sexes can live between 5-7 years. Depending on wherein you purchase a possum, they have the capability to hold very dangerous illnesses which are deadly to humans. Nonetheless, the right thing to do would be to contact your local ranger and get the Possum to a sanctuary with a view to an eventual release into the wild. Don't kill it! For additional information, please contact the Zoonosis Control Division of the Texas Department of Health at (512) 458-7255. In Texas, these include skunks, raccoons, white-tailed deer, cottontails, jackrabbits and squirrels, among many others. A veterinarian will be able to help you figure out what kind of pet is best for you and your family. (c-1)An offense under Subsection (b)(1) or (2) is a felony of the third degree, except Your email address will not be published. By Dalia Azim. The opossum is active only at night, and is a solitary animal. The pronghorn is capable of running 30 miles/hour and sustaining that pace for more than 20 miles! No matter how cute and lovely a few possums are, theyre nonetheless wild animals. Their coat is grey-brown. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Whatever way you look at it, the answer is no - you cannot legally own a Possum in Texas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Only in Wisconsin, West Virginia, and South Carolina, it's legal to own this animal without any permission. under this section or under Section 42.09. Adults attain a length of four to eight inches with a tail equaling the length of their body. Realistically, there are only two ways to own a pet Possum in Texas. The purpose of this article is to help uncover the truth about the legality of owning a possum as a pet in Texas. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. If you are caught possessing an opossum, you will face criminal charges. Lets start out with all the things they eat that we dont want to share our back yard with. But, they arent identical species. Not all vets in your location have specialized in possum care. In this case, it probably wouldnt try to escape either if it was physically weak. Can you keep a possum in the house as a pet. These possums need a friend, so purchase them in pairs. Opossum may be aesthetically challenged, but they are probably the single most important wild animal to your backyard ecology. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department must be notified by landowners if they want to live trap and relocate the animals. These licenses are not issued for the purpose of holding . Public Use Areas; Waterfowl Hunting; . The body temperature of a opossum is lower than other mammals, therefore, many diseases cant multiply fast enough to overwhelm the opossums excellent immune system. Question: Can I keep an opossum as a pet in the state of Texas? The important bit was just getting the information out there. If youre looking to experience wildlife without actually owning an opossum as a pet, there are plenty of options available. What screws can be used with Aluminum windows? This article by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension discusses laws and regulations surrounding feral hogs in Texas. Hence, there can be regulations about exceptional animal possession in your area. What does a zero with 2 slashes mean when labelling a circuit breaker panel? Possum Trot, TX. Photo: Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife. The term does not include an uncaptured wild living creature or a livestock animal. But as of last month, Homer had at least one and its appearance ignited a flurry of excitement in the community on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Sugar gliders can make good pets because they are playful and social creatures. Arkansas, Wyoming, and Wisconsin do not require a permit to keep a pet opossum. Sugar gliders could make excellent pets due to the fact theyre playful and social animals. A dangerous wild animal must be registered in the Texas county in which it's located. They have remained unchanged since the time of the dinosaur. (b)A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: (1)tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury 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.In Nebraska, pet owners will need to acquire a . Next . It discusses local control and registration, liability for animal attack and escape, and proper treatment of wild animals. In conclusion, I would say that you must not pet an Opossum in your house. The animal responsible for turning over trash cans, dragging them half-way across the yard and prying open the lid is the raccoon, not the innocent opossum you see munching away in it the next morning. The three most loved things about them are the omnivorous diet, good health, and cleanliness. What are the Guidelines and Tips while owning Possums as Pets: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-4-0'); When human beings think about getting a pet, dogs, and cats are some of the most famous alternatives around the world. You could also look into adopting an orphaned or retired opossum from a wildlife center. Possums are nocturnal creatures. Also, make sure the resting place is away from sunlight and drafts. This is also not a general pet permit, but in case your program of possum rehabilitation fails, you are not required to kill it or release it into the wild to die. (c-2)An offense under Subsection (b)(7) or (8) is a state jail felony, except that Includes regulations on caging requirements of dangerous wild animals and care of animals in zoos, carnivals, and circuses. Rehabilitating possums is actually a great way to help them and to observe beautiful creatures up close. This lakehouse on Possum Kingdom Lake sits on 2.94 acres of land overlooking the water. The state of Texas views possums as wildlife, and federal and state laws protect these animals from exploitation. However, when Australia was colonized by Europeans, they took this phrase and carried it out to every other kind of marsupial that is discovered there. Is there a way to use any communication without a CPU? Code of OrdinancesSupplement 93Online content updated on February 24, 2023. I agree with you 100%. When you return, your visitor will be long gone. In conclusion, its important to remember that owning an opossum as a pet in Texas is illegal. You didnt get rid of a raccoon, you just traded her for a new raccoon. bag limit or possession limit set by commission regulation. The first way is to illegally own one. The author also discusses liability issues that might arise if the owner invites others to view or care for their animals. Kinkajous are legal in Texas and a few other states, such as New York and North Carolina. Thanks, yeah I wanted to clarify that it was the same area but a different focus (hunting license vs the propagation or trapping licenses), but I could have made it more clear (aside from mentioning him at the beginning of my answer) that it was the same statute. Updated: 10:17 PM CDT April 16, 2023. Your contact information is used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences. Specifically when it is not clear what the law refers to due to the typo. This isnt out of spite but is due to their wild instincts. The main reason why Possums are illegal to own in Texas is because theyre considered as wild animals who should not be tamed. Lake Corpus Christi. However, in extreme circumstances, they will play possum This is not a voluntary decision for the opossum, it goes into a state of shock which causes their bodies to become stiff and their breathing to slow down. This involves taking injured or orphaned possums, caring for them until they can be released back into the wild. Law Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for legal professionals, students, and others with experience or interest in law. Natural habitat: Forests of South America, typically near bodies of water. Theme Easy Magazine by. In this article we shall be looking at why its illegal to own pet Possums in Texas and why these laws make sense. You can look into getting involved in opossum rehabilitation, which involves releasing opossums back into the wild after providing them with medical care and support. act of snaring, trapping, shooting, killing, or capturing by any means While it can be tempting to keep an opossum as a pet, its important to remember that they are wild animals and need to be treated as such. Can one claim unclaimed poultry living on their property? Under Texas law, a state jail felony may include jail time ranging from 180 days to 2 years and a fine up to $10,000. Not every animal is the same as a domestic cat or a dog, and some just cant really be tamed. Sugar gliders can get depressed if theyre residing alone. This explains why theyre illegal to own in Texas and its not just the law either in general, its immoral to keep a wild animal against its will. Hence, people dont know how to raise them. These are wild creatures, so generally, they do not make nice pets and arent always a prison to the house. Opossums are not native to California. However, they warn that the This requires a permit and checks, so its not like you can just make a quick application and get accepted. If youre looking for a pet possum in Texas, you may be disappointed to learn that its illegal. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Carefully follow instructions for the best results. Have you ever thought about it? Some cruel actions warrant harsher punishments even on the first conviction. Laws differ from place to place around the world. This department works with local officials to investigate pests and diseases which are transmissible from animals to humans (including rabies & West Nile Virus). Uncovering the Mystery of Possum Behaviour. Four U.S. states have no law restrictions on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets (Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin). 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