When a tiny animal arrives at a wildlife rescue, one of the most powerful forms of healing comes not from medicine — but from comfort. And sometimes, that comfort comes from the unlikeliest of friends.
Earlier this month, the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay (RCTB) took in a fragile, orphaned baby opossum weighing just 46 grams. With no other baby opossums at the rescue, staff placed her alone in an incubator, hoping she’d settle in and rest.
But that night, something unexpected happened.
When wildlife rehabilitator Nancy Murrah checked on her, the little opossum was missing. A quick search revealed the crafty baby had slipped out of her enclosure — and snuck into the nest of baby squirrels nearby.
There, nestled among the sleepy squirrels, the opossum was fast asleep. About the same size as her new companions, she blended in perfectly — and clearly, the squirrels didn’t mind one bit.
“They’d fully accepted her,” Murrah told The Dodo. “She was just one of the gang.”
A few days later, most of the squirrels were transferred to another facility, leaving behind just one who needed extra care. Amazingly, the bond between the remaining squirrel and the opossum didn’t end there.
This time, it was the squirrel who made the move — wriggling out of his fuzzy pouch and into the opossum’s enclosure, seeking the warmth and comfort of his adopted friend.
“If you’re an orphan, any other orphan will do,” Murrah said with a smile. “They’ve both been through something hard, and they found comfort in each other.”
For baby animals, companionship is more than emotional — it’s practical, too. At that age, they can’t regulate their body temperature, so snuggling helps them stay warm. Murrah keeps them in soft blankets with heating pads, but nothing compares to a buddy to curl up with.
“I think it’s so sweet when they do that,” she said.
While their bond is touching, it’s important for wild animals to spend time with members of their own species to learn vital survival skills. So, the opossum and the squirrel were both transferred to Little Bit Wildlife Rescue — where each could be placed with others like them.
But the two had other plans.
On their very first night in the new rescue, they both crawled out of their separate pouches — and found each other again.
“They decided to cling to each other for comfort,” Murrah said. “Even in a new place, their bond held strong.”
Eventually, when they’re ready, the opossum and the squirrel will be released back into the wild — to live separate lives in nature. But the support they gave one another during the hardest days of their recovery will always be part of their story.
To support Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, you can donate here. To support Little Bit Wildlife Rescue, you can donate here.
