How to Tell if a Baby Opossum Needs Help

Austin Animal Services offers tips on distinguishing between a healthy opossum and one that requires rescue

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:31pm

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As opossum mating season ramps up in Austin, Texas, the city's Animal Services department is advising residents on how to identify baby opossums that truly need help versus those that are just "playing possum." The department says baby opossums that are pink, hairless, and smaller than a hand, as well as any injured or crying babies without an adult nearby, should be reported for rescue. Healthy, furry babies longer than a dollar bill and alert juveniles exploring on their own do not require intervention.

Why it matters

Opossums are important members of the local ecosystem, and the community needs to understand when a baby opossum is in distress versus simply going through normal development. Providing guidance on this helps ensure that healthy opossums are not unnecessarily removed from the wild, while also ensuring that truly vulnerable babies receive the care they need.

The details

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, opossum baby season in Texas generally occurs from February through October. Austin Animal Services says a baby opossum would need immediate help if it is pink and hairless, with its eyes still closed, as well as babies smaller than your hand or if it is injured, cold or crying with no adult nearby. Healthy baby opossums that do not need rescuing include furry babies longer than a dollar bill, alert and active babies that can move quickly, and healthy juveniles exploring on their own.

  • Opossum baby season in Texas generally occurs from February through October.

The players

Austin Animal Services

The city of Austin's animal services department, which is providing guidance on identifying baby opossums in need of rescue.

Texas Parks & Wildlife

The state agency that has information on the typical opossum baby season in Texas.

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The takeaway

By understanding the differences between healthy and distressed baby opossums, Austin residents can help ensure that the local opossum population remains thriving and that vulnerable babies receive the care they need, without unnecessarily removing healthy animals from the wild.