Cancún, Quintana Roo — The animal rescue sanctuary “Tlacuatitlán” has reported that the breeding season for opossums, a native marsupial species, has intensified between April and June, leading to an increase in sightings of these animals in urban areas of Cancún.
During this period, it is common to find orphaned opossum pups, as adult opossums are frequently attacked by domestic animals or even humans, jeopardizing the survival of their offspring. According to the sanctuary, female opossums can have multiple litters per year, with a gestation period of just 12 to 14 days. The pups then continue their development inside the mother’s pouch for approximately two months.
Eugenia Poblete, co-founder of Tlacuatitlán, emphasized that one of the main challenges is public misinformation.
“It’s deeply ingrained in people’s minds that opossums transmit diseases and rabies, but medically, that’s not possible,” Poblete stated.
Ecological Benefits of Opossums
Poblete also highlighted that opossums are not only harmless but also provide significant ecological benefits, such as pest control. She urged the public to respect these animals and allow them to coexist in urban environments.
Tlacuatitlán is an initiative dedicated to the conservation of opossums in Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen. Their work includes environmental education, rehabilitation of injured or orphaned opossums, and research on the behavior and ecology of the species.
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