{"id":681214,"date":"2026-06-03T04:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T04:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/681214\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T04:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T04:43:08","slug":"people-at-sioux-falls-tattoo-parlor-help-save-baby-opossums-after-they-fell-out-of-their-moms-pouch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/681214\/","title":{"rendered":"People at Sioux Falls tattoo parlor help save baby opossums after they \u2018fell out of their mom\u2019s pouch\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to baby animals,<\/a> it takes a village. And sometimes that village includes a tattoo<\/a> and piercing parlor. Help often comes from the most unlikely of sources.<\/p>\n

Such was the case for a maternal opossum who set up shop in a tree behind the store. She got herself wedged and stuck, and in the process of being helped, she inadvertently dropped a few of her baby opossums along the way.<\/p>\n

Vishnu Bunny Tattoo and Piercing<\/a> posted photos of it all, alongside a brief explanation of what went down. On their Instagram page,<\/a> they share, \u201cA momma opossum made her way to a deep window well behind the shop. Animal control helped her out, but in the process, some babies fell from her pouch. We then learned that the mommas don\u2019t know that they dropped babies and therefore they don\u2019t come back for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

But they had a plan to help. \u201cWe contacted Deanna at @keepinitwildwildliferescue<\/a>, and she changed her route for the day and drove over an hour to come save them. We cannot thank her enough for not only what she did for these babies but for all she does for animals in general.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman they\u2019re referring to at Keepin It Wild Wildlife Rescue <\/a>is Deanna Leach. She states on her social media pages a clear mission of their rescue, located in Jefferson, South Dakota: \u201cTo protect and rehabilitate injured, orphaned, and displaced animals, returning them to their natural habitats.\u201d She too posted photos\/videos of the baby opossums and asks the community for help with formula, if they feel inclined. \u201cWith the overwhelming number of baby opossums currently in our care, we are in desperate need of more formula.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shares a photo of a tiny grey, white, and black baby opossum cuddling in a red, white, and blue blanket. \u201cThese little ones require around-the-clock feedings, and we are going through supplies<\/a> incredibly fast. If you would like to help support the babies, this formula would make a huge difference for our rescue.\u201d (Her page lists places in which people can donate<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Christine Manika, a co-host at the KXRB radio station in Sioux Falls, caught wind of the kind story and shared it on her radio station\u2019s socials and that of their sister station KKRC\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>. She added, \u201cThe sad part is it\u2019s not unusual that possum moms don\u2019t come back for their babies once they are out of the pouch. Luckily these babies were in good hands!\u201d<\/p>\n

On the Opossum Society US official site<\/a>, they back up the claims that opossum babies (and other small wildlife) can often have a rough go in the wild. \u201cThe opossum has an average lifespan of 1 to 2 years. This short lifespan is due in part to the presence of many predators, including dogs, cats, and people. Sometimes the opossum is able to escape death by \u2018playing \u2018possum\u2019 or feigning death.\u201d<\/p>\n

On a lighter note, they also share some cuddly fun facts. \u201cDespite its appearance, the opossum is not related to the rat. In fact, the opossum is a marsupial, or \u2018pouched\u2019 mammal, and is therefore related to other marsupials such as the kangaroo and the koala. Like kangaroos and koalas, infant opossums stay inside the mother\u2019s pouch to nurse and develop. The opossum holds the distinction of being North America\u2019s only marsupial.\u201d (They are referred to as possums in Australia and are genetically different.)<\/p>\n

Upworthy had the chance to chat with Leach, whose rescue is full of tiny possums and raccoons. She sent a video of the tiniest opossum peering behind a \u201cblanket tent\u201d set up for him and his fellow opossum siblings. He adorably yawns as he decides whether to burrow or have a little snack. Ultimately, he opts for the snack, gently lapping up liquid in a bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty soon the ten tinies are gonna join you,\u201d Leach tells him. She then pans over to three in a corner and shares, \u201cThese are the three from the tattoo place in Sioux Falls. Aren\u2019t they adorable? They\u2019re doing really good!\u201d<\/p>\n

The post People at Sioux Falls tattoo parlor help save baby opossums after they \u2018fell out of their mom\u2019s pouch\u2019<\/a> appeared first on Upworthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n