Help us name our two new education opossums! In the fall of 2020, these Virginia Opossums were admittedly separately, both with injuries that prevent their return to the wild. After working with them throughout the fall, the outreach team decided that the two female opossums would be excellent additions to our education animal ambassador team.
The outreach staff have come up with a few potential names, each with a significant meaning, but we need your help choosing the perfect one for each! Get to know these two girls below, and then submit your votes. The poll will be open through January 12 at 12 noon Eastern.
Virginia Opossum #20-3405
This opossum was admitted to the Center as a patient in October 2020 after she was struck by a car in Middle River, Virginia. Unfortunately, the opossum’s eyes were damaged in the collision, which left her completely blind in her right eye and with limited vision in her left eye. Without adequate eyesight, this young opossum would not be able to survive in the wild.
Center outreach staff began working with the opossum in the fall of 2020 and determined that, despite her limited vision, she was able to navigate her enclosure and find her food. She also responded well to training and became an official member of the outreach ambassador team in late December 2020.
Lauren reports that throughout the training period, this opossum has shown an affinity for her human outreach team members. The opossum is very motivated by food of any kind, but her favorite is definitely fruit.
Help us decide! Name options are:
A. Marigold: Marigold flowers are a sunshine-y yellow, much like this girl’s personality! Marigolds produce oils that can help deter pests, and similarly, opossums help to control pesky tick populations.
B. Sunshine: Similar to the name Marigold, the name Sunshine would suit this easy-breezy, no-worries girl. She’s effortlessly joyful and is real bright light on our team.
C. Ginger: This opossum loves apples. Any type, any color. We thought it fitting to throw in a name that honors her passion for fruit. One of the many varieties of apples grown in Virginia is the Ginger Gold, first discovered in Virginia after Hurricane Camille. This name is also a stark reminder of the dangers of food litter — the opossum was deemed non-releasable after being hit by a car (like so many of our patients each year), possibly in search of food left behind by humans. The "message of the apple core" is an important part of our education programs.
Virginia Opossum #20-3470
This opossum was found in the fall of 2020 with injuries to her toes and tail and was taken to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in southwest Virginia. The injuries were not life-threatening, though the opossum was friendlier than expected for an opossum her age, raising some questions about what had happened prior to her rescue . While the young opossum’s injuries healed, her missing digits and amputated tail would limit her climbing abilities.
Center outreach staff began working with the opossum in the fall of 2020, and she officially joined the outreach ambassador team in late December 2020.
Lauren reports that this opossum is polite and is a little shyer than the other larger opossum, but enjoys working with her human outreach team members for pieces of fruit, especially pears.
Help us decide! Name options are:
A. Thistle: The thistle plant is native to Virginia and is known for its pretty purple flowers but very sharp thorns. This opossum is as spicy as she is sweet, so Thistle seems like a fitting name for this little girl!
B. Violet: Violet flowers are a beautiful deep purple, and this species of plant often inhabits many different habitats – from the throughout the northern hemisphere to Hawaii to Australia. Opossums are very versatile in their habitats as well, so this name would pay homage to her resilient species.
C. Fern: The fern plant grows in quiet shady areas on the woodland floor. They are soft and add an essence of magic to scenery. Opossums are such an important part of our ecosystems but are often overlooked. They’re always there, quietly in the background, helping the Earth. This name would lend to this opossum’s kind, quiet nature.
Vote here, now through January 12 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern!
And after you vote, sponsor these two new education ambassadors through our Caring for Critters program! Their official names will be added to the drop-down list after we determine what they are, but you can still sponsor in the meantime (just pick any animal name and clarify that you’d like the opossum(s) in the check-out comments).