The most amazing thing about nature, is the vast variety of different animals there are out there. For every fictional character, there’s almost always an animal who looks like them in one way or another. Like this golden possum, who was rescued by this Australian Veterinary Clinic and went viral for looking like Pikachu from Pokémon.
People couldn’t believe someone finally caught Pikachu!
The Boronia Veterinary Clinic, in Australia, rescued a rare golden possum that looks like Pikachu
We’ve all seen what a common possum looks like, but have you ever seen a rare golden possum? Their color is a result of an uncommon mutation that causes a low level of melanin in their skin. While this looks super cool, it actually doesn’t fair them well in the wild. It’s hard to hide from predators when you’re bright yellow, so it’s not a great trait to have for any small animal and is the reason they’re so rare.
Back in 2018, a tiny yellow possum ended up at the Boronia Vet Clinic and they decided the world needs to see the Pikachu look-a-like. They shared a Facebook post of her and Pokémon-lovers everywhere were thrilled.
https://www.facebook.com/boroniavetclinic/photos/a.897439643653363/2208445405886107/?type=3&theater
“We recently had a very special possum brought in to the clinic. She’s a rare golden variety of the Common Brushtail Possum. The golden color occurs due to a mutation which causes a low level of the pigment melanin which gives them their normal color. They are so rare in the wild as although their bright color makes them look special to us, they also stand out to predators! Luckily for this baby brushtail she’s gone to carers to be raised and then will end up in a wildlife sanctuary so she can live a long happy life.”
Only about 5-months-old when she arrived at the clinic, she’s believed to have fallen off of her mothers back
Dr. Stephen Reinisch spoke to Bored Panda about when she arrived at the Boronia Vet Clinic two years ago. She only spent one night there, before being picked up by her new caretakers.
“She was brought in by a member of the public who found her on the ground. We suspect she had fallen off her mother’s back.” Said Dr. Reinisch, he went on to say: “she was a bit shy at first, as expected, given the strange situation she had found herself in, but was otherwise in good spirits and health.”
The Boronia Veterinary Clinic loved the Pikachu looking possum so much, they threw a Santa hat on her and entered her in their annual Christmas pet photo contest
Although the real-life Pikachu didn’t end up winning, it was great to see her wearing a Santa hat. The clinic also put a picture of the golden possum as their profile picture which it’s remained ever since.
Dr. Reinisch also got a picture with the golden possum and posted it to Instagram saying:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqCbpziFMfF/
“Never thought I’d get to see a Pikachu in real life!”
There are many more golden possums that have made their rounds through social media
Turns out, she wasn’t the first or last ‘Pikachu’ to be found and shared on the internet. The little Pokémon in real life are always popular when people share them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3vV-kn7oc/
Here’s an adorable picture of a mama and baby ‘Pikachu’
These are so cute, I would love to see one in real life! To see a video of a golden possum, watch the video below!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSd6SySA7jb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again
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