Meet Chutney
At Amaris Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary, we encounter many heartwarming and challenging stories. One such story is about Chutney, (no I didn’t choose the name) a pygmy possum who was found in a woodpile (Nov 2022) and brought to us for care. Initially, we believed Chutney was a male and noticed that he was very unwell. To help, I placed him on a heat pad in the ICU, hoping the warmth would revive him. I also gave him some nectar mix with vytrate, and he seemed to perk up a little.
Unfortunately, the next morning, I found Chutney seemingly lifeless. My mentor suggested that he might have been an old boy. I was saddened by the loss. I had to go out and left the ICU door open. When I returned home and went to bury him, Chutney was nowhere to be found. To my astonishment, I discovered him on the floor and realised he was actually a she—with two tiny babies in her pouch.
Our standard protocol is to minimise touching and handling to reduce stress, so I hadn't checked closely upon being told Chutney was a male. We suspect she had entered a state of torpor that morning, a survival mechanism some small mammals use to conserve energy by significantly lowering their metabolic rate and body temperature. This can make them appear lifeless, even when they're not.
While I had heard of torpor in reptiles like bobtails, I wasn't aware of its occurrence in pygmy possums. This experience was a sad reminder that, despite our best intentions, there's always more to learn. The guilt of not recognising her state in time to potentially save her and her babies is a heavy burden that still lingers.
This story highlights the importance of ongoing education and awareness in wildlife care. Through sharing Chutney's story, we hope to shed light on the complexities of wildlife rehabilitation and the invaluable lessons it teaches us every day.
Understanding Torpor
Torpor is a physiological state that allows small mammals like pygmy possums to conserve energy during periods of extreme temperature or limited food availability. During torpor, their metabolic rate and body temperature drop significantly, reducing their energy expenditure. This state can make them appear cold, unresponsive, and lifeless. To recognize torpor, look for subtle signs of life, such as slight breathing movements or a faint heartbeat. If you suspect an animal is in torpor, gently warm them up using a heat pad and provide a quiet, safe environment. Avoid excessive handling to reduce stress.
The first time I heard the word "torpor" was during my training. The trainer had picked up a bobtail from the side of the road, and it appeared dead. The trainer explained that it could take several weeks before death could be confirmed. In the meantime, the bobtail was kept quiet, warm, with food and water, and it was a wait-and-see situation. It was fascinating to learn about this survival mechanism.