People Are Knitting Sweaters For This Tiny Opossum Who Lost Its Hair Due To A Disease
“Playing possum” is an expression that’s used when someone fakes death. This possum wouldn’t be playing if it hadn’t been for one concerned Samaritan that dropped her off at South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (SPWRC). An opossum named Peach has a rare hair-loss condition called alopecia, which causes her to shed all of her body hair. And since fur is key at regulating body temperature, she wouldn’t have survived the cold of the looming winter.
The stranger found the 3-4-month-old opossum in SW Lubbock. Gail Barnes, executive director of SPWRC, watched on camera as the man dropped off a box in front of the center’s intake building. She was warned beforehand that it was going to be a possum, but she didn’t think that at first. When she brought the box inside, a hairless arm came out of the box, and she thought “Oh my gosh, he dropped off a hairless cat.” The opossum was instantly put in an incubator for rehabilitation.
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Peach has an auto-immune condition called alopecia, which causes hair loss
Image credits: SPWRC
SPWRC made a Facebook post explaining Peach’s situation, why she can’t survive in the wild and her medical condition. In the post, they requested a winter wardrobe for her to survive the cold season with. And the people have responded in droves and have been very supportive and generous. People with hairless cats have been donating clothes, some have been knitting sweaters just for Peach, and Barnes is expecting quite a few donations.
Image credits: SPWRC
Peach has doubled her weight over her recovery period
Image credits: SPWRC
Right now, the opossum is on her way to recovery and has almost doubled her weight over the course. Barnes said that her favorite foods are crickets and applesauce, and judging by her weight gain, she’s been enjoying it immensely. She’s also rocking that festive knitwear that people have donated to her, and there have been a few updates from SPWRC showing off her new outfits.
Her health is fine
Image credits: SPWRC
Peach is finally wearing the knitwear that her supporters sent to her
Image credits: SPWRC
As for Peach’s future, very little is certain, since COVID-19 is obstructing everyone’s plans. One thing is for sure, she won’t be living in the wild. Barnes has told that she’s expected to become an “educational ambassador,” and will visit schools once they’re open. Peach the opossum will be prime educational material for teaching about marsupials. Since she doesn’t have any fur, her pouch, a distinctive feature for marsupials, will be very easy for everyone to see. Fun educational fact: opossums are the only species of marsupial living in North America.
Image credits: SPWRC
Fun fact: opossums are the only species of marsupial in North America
Image credits: SPWRC
Image credits: SPWRC
Her’s what people think about Peach:
Image credits: SPWRC
Image credits: SPWRC
Image credits: SPWRC
Image credits: SPWRC
Image credits: SPWRC
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How can people hate these incredible creatures? They do so much for the environment around them, they're immune to rabies and tend to be docile and shy. And those faces! I love my back deck opossums - they snack on the treats I put out for them while I sit not even three feet away and are the best part of my summers. I'm so glad there are rescue organizations for them - they're misunderstood and totally undervalued. Plus, they look good in knitwear.
How can people hate these incredible creatures? They do so much for the environment around them, they're immune to rabies and tend to be docile and shy. And those faces! I love my back deck opossums - they snack on the treats I put out for them while I sit not even three feet away and are the best part of my summers. I'm so glad there are rescue organizations for them - they're misunderstood and totally undervalued. Plus, they look good in knitwear.
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