“[They] found their pot of gold …”
On St. Patrick’s Day — a day all about luck — rescuers at Austin Wildlife Rescue experienced a moment that truly lived up to the theme.
Two tiny orphaned opossum joeys were brought in after their mother was tragically hit by a car.
But what made this rescue especially remarkable wasn’t just their survival.
It was how they looked.
Not Your Typical Opossums
Most opossums are dark gray.
These two? Completely white.
Rescuers quickly realized the babies weren’t albino — they were leucistic.
- Leucism: reduced pigmentation, but normal eye color
- Albinism: lack of pigment and red or pink eyes
These joeys had normal-colored eyes, confirming their rare condition.
Rare — But This Was Even Rarer
While the rescue team occasionally sees leucistic opossums, this case stood out.
They didn’t just get one.
They got two from the same litter — something they’d never seen before.
Even more touching, the siblings were found clinging tightly to each other, relying on their bond for comfort after losing their mother.
Safe, Warm And Together
Despite their difficult start, the babies were in surprisingly good shape — just a few minor scratches.
Once at the rescue center, they quickly settled in:
- Warm blankets
- Fresh food
- Constant care
And most importantly — they stayed right by each other’s side, snuggled close as they slept.
A Truly Lucky Ending
The team couldn’t help but see the symbolism.
“With just a few scratches and scrapes… the lucky opossums found their pot of gold,” the rescue shared.
Now, the rare twins are receiving round-the-clock care and are expected to grow into healthy adults.
And thanks to a bit of luck — and a lot of compassion — their story is just beginning. 🐾🍀