Know Your STO
Short-Tailed Opossums
Keeping and Caring for These Pets
By Molly Kalafut
Welcome!
This is the place for information about the Brazilian gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). This website is designed to help potential pet owners, current pet owners, exotic pet rescues or animal shelters, veterinarians caring for STO...and anyone interested in keeping their short-tailed opossum happy and healthy!
I have spent the last 7+ years caring for these opossums, researching and writing a book on their care, and maintaining a mailing list (with 250+ members) for owners, breeders and potential owners.
About Gray Short-Tailed Opossums
Gray short-tailed opossums (STO) are a small, solitary, exotic marsupial gaining popularity as a "pocket pet". They are from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. They were originally brought to the USA from Brazil in 1978 and have been bred for the pet trade since 1994. When full grown they reach about the size of a large gerbil or hamster and have a lifespan of about 4 years in captivity. They live by themselves in the wild and should be kept singly as pets.
They are known by several different names, including "Brazilian short-tailed opossum", "South American Short Tail opossum", "Rainforest opossum", "Brazilian opossum" and "Laboratory opossum". Incorrect names include "Pygmy Opossum" and "Dwarf Opossum", and many websites incorrectly spell their name as 'possum', 'opposum' or 'oppossum'.
Main Menu
About Short-Tailed Opossums
Choosing & Finding |
Is a short-tailed opossum the right pet for you? Includes many resources to find a pet STO in the United States or Canada. |
Care & Training |
Care basics, cages and supplies, handling, bonding plus temperature and humidity information. |
Food & Water |
The basics of feeding and watering your short tail opossum, plus Q&As and lists of foods to try. |
Health & Biology |
Information about your short tail possum's health, common health concern, life span, hygiene, biology and taxonomy. |
Breeding & Weaning |
Breeding basics, details about weaning and an expectant litter calendar. |
Mailing List |
Connect with short-tailed opossum owners, breeders and enthusiasts. Learn about the diets they feed their STO and see pictures of their cages. |
Breeders & Stores |
The most extensive list of STO breeders anywhere! Plus, place free short tail opossum ads. |
Photo Gallery |
Pictures, pictures, pictures! |
Laws |
STO state laws, USDA licensing and shipping regulations. |
Websites |
Includes links to books, STO care websites, pet owner sites, scientific research studies, and STO information around the world. |
About This Site |
Information about me, my STO and this website's purpose. |
About Marsupials, Opossums and Possums
Mouse Opossums |
Information about another type of small opossum pet, the fat-tailed mouse opossum (Thylamys pusilla). |
About Opossums |
Learn about and see photos of the 60+ types of South American opossums. |
About Possums |
Learn about and see photos of the 25+ types of Australian possums. |
"Know Your STO" Newsletter
Contact Information
Author: molly@knowyoursto.com
I am willing and happy to answer your questions about short-tailed opossums!Info: info@knowyoursto.com
Comments or questions about the book and web site content, or ask to add your STO-related link to the website.