A listless baby opossum—what should you do first?

• A. Feed it small amounts immediately
• B. Warm it thoroughly before feeding
• C. Put it in direct sun
• D. Give cold water to warm up

Answer: (B)

When a newborn opossum is listless, the first priority is warming it up. Cold, hypothermic animals have slowed metabolism and poor blood flow, which not only makes digestion unreliable but can lead to further weakness or shock. By warming the animal to a safe, comfortable temperature, you restore circulation and metabolic function, allowing the gut to process food properly once you start feeding. Feeding a cold baby can cause aspiration, digestive upset, or severe hypoglycemia because the body isn’t ready to handle nutrients yet. So, provide a gentle, steady warmth in a dry, comfortable nest and wait until the animal feels warm and more alert before offering any food or fluids. Direct sun or cold liquids would worsen the problem, and feeding immediately while still cold is risky.