Meet Phoebe, Our Virginia Opossum

Animal Ambassadors
Written By Tish Gailmard
Phoebe, a Virginia Opossum

Phoebe, a Virginia Opossum

Reflection Riding has a new member of the family! Meet Phoebe, our Virginia Opossum.

Phoebe was born in early spring 2021 and arrived at Reflection Riding just recently after being cared for by the wonderful caregivers at Opie Acres, Chattanooga’s opossum rehabilitation group.

Phoebe contracted a systemic infection called Dermal Septic Necrosis that damaged several of her toes on one paw. Opossum toes are very important for climbing, digging, swimming and holding food. Phoebe would have struggled in the wild with her impairment and ultimately would not have been successful so she is living her life with us as an animal ambassador educating guests about the amazing opossum!

Fast facts

  • Opossums consume upwards of 5,000 ticks per season

  • Opossums are the only marsupial in North America

  • Opossums are immune to snake venom

  • Opossums very rarely contract rabies

  • Opossums have an excellent sense of smell

  • Opossums do not hang by their tail, but use it for balance

  • Opossums’ ultimate defense mechanism includes playing possum and actually passing out to feign death

  • Opossums can have large litters, but only have 13 nipples in a horseshoe shape in their pouch

  • Babies are born after a 13.5 day gestation and are the size of a lima bean

Want to meet Phoebe and learn more cool facts about her? Then sign up for a Small Group Experience Animal Encounter. You can even hold her!

Tish Gailmard

Director of Wildlife

Team member since 2000

Tish Gailmard is the Director of Wildlife Conservation and has been part of the Reflection Riding team since 2000. Since she was a child, spending her days playing and exploring in the woods, Tish has loved animals. Tish is a graduate of the University of Georgia and is a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency licensed rehabilitator for mammals and rabies vector species. 

In 2016, Tish was named the Tennessee Wildlife Federation Environmental Educator of the Year and has also been recognized as a Girls Preparatory School notable alumnae. As a passionate advocate for wildlife, Tish is a Red Wolf Species Survival Plan management team member, Red Wolf SAFE committee member, Red Wolf Task Force member, and red wolf blood champion.

When she's not working, Tish serves her community and her family. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, proud Georgia Bulldog fan, and former Signal Mountain Parks board member — she also professes to be solar-powered. She loves a day at the beach and a day in the woods. Next time you see her, ask Tish about her mob of dogs and her flock of chickens... and about how much she loves Post-It Notes.

tish@reflectionriding.org

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