It's really amazing how much a size difference is in the possums. Will the little one always be so much smaller or will she grow up normal sized with good nutrition?
They're cute traps! I really need to find another rehabber to take them, but it's fun to have little raccoonlets for a few days.
A lot of times the runt ones stay smaller, but I've seen them catch up too and end up the same size as their siblings. I'm betting this one will stay on the small end - her sister's doubled in size over the last two weeks but tiny bit really hasn't grown much overall.
In ref to Gatekat's comment, I think I read somewhere that there's a developmental barrier or something? Runts can only catch up to a healthier sibling if you catch them at just the right age? Could be wrong about that.
Hm, interesting - haven't heard about the developmental barrier! I'll have to see what I can find out about that. Sometimes if it's a big litter I'll separate the smaller ones and put them in their own group, and they seem to do better, less competition for food maybe? Even though I always have plenty in there for them so it's not like it runs out.
Heh, well, I could have it wrong, be remembering something from a science fiction novel or something. But yeah, swear I remember something about an age barrier where better nutrition will catch it up to the healthy standard...and past that barrier you just get a chubby runt.
Maybe it's the food competition for runts. But it could also be stress from a variety of factors - including bigger siblings can injure smaller ones, even if it's all meant in play. Not helpful for the little ones. BUT, if mom is gone, and there's only one (or two) other small(ish) babies around, I can understand why you wouldn't want to separate them all. Large litters, yeah: give the littlest one a chance, let the older/more mature ones do rambunctious things without hurting youngest/slower growers.
Rescuing babies - SQUEErose0maryAugust 26 2016, 04:51:31 UTC
Raccoon babies are slower to stop needing milk? Huh - one of many life facts I had no knowledge of. It's great what is possible to learn either working for a Nature Center, or being an wildlife rehabilitator.
Opossum babies - they're kinda cute - and Whoa, that size difference between big sister and runt.
Re: Rescuing babies - SQUEEplayswithwormsAugust 26 2016, 16:47:44 UTC
Yep, at two months old most puppies are weaning, but raccoons really don't get the hang of things until around three months, which is what these two probably are.
Such feisty little boops, in the case of the raccoons - I'm lucky I still have my fingers!
Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! *flings celebratory cake to the sky* *with little parachutes* *so we can run around and try to catch with mouths as the cakes come down*
It's fun to have little babies again - my four big raccoons are almost ready to release, and just released a couple of batches of older opossums. Although I did have a few things I wanted to do this week which have to be shelved in favor of bottle feedings and wildlife rescue runs, lol - ah well.
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It's really amazing how much a size difference is in the possums. Will the little one always be so much smaller or will she grow up normal sized with good nutrition?
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A lot of times the runt ones stay smaller, but I've seen them catch up too and end up the same size as their siblings. I'm betting this one will stay on the small end - her sister's doubled in size over the last two weeks but tiny bit really hasn't grown much overall.
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In ref to Gatekat's comment, I think I read somewhere that there's a developmental barrier or something? Runts can only catch up to a healthier sibling if you catch them at just the right age? Could be wrong about that.
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BUT, if mom is gone, and there's only one (or two) other small(ish) babies around, I can understand why you wouldn't want to separate them all. Large litters, yeah: give the littlest one a chance, let the older/more mature ones do rambunctious things without hurting youngest/slower growers.
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Huh - one of many life facts I had no knowledge of.
It's great what is possible to learn either working for a Nature Center, or being an wildlife rehabilitator.
Opossum babies - they're kinda cute - and Whoa, that size difference between big sister and runt.
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Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! *flings celebratory cake to the sky* *with little parachutes* *so we can run around and try to catch with mouths as the cakes come down*
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