A tiny rescued opossum was welcomed into its new home at the Oregon Zoo.

The marsupial, weighing almost ten ounces, was found wandering along behind an apartment building in Lebanon, Oregon.

They named it Nigel and it was cared for by Chintimini Wildlife Centre staff before being transferred to the zoo in Portland.

Footage shows Nig, elestimated to be three-months-old, settling into its new shelter as vets checked on its health on May 28. They let it play around the enclosure to explore.

Zoo officer Eliza Lee said: 'This little opossum had a rough start in life. He wouldn't have survived long on his own.

'People are sometimes scared of opossums, but they're lovable in their own way.

'We hope Nigel will help people connect to this unique species and learn more about what makes opossums so awesome.'

Opossums are the only marsupials found in North America.

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Virginia opossums were introduced to Oregon between 1910 and 1921.

They are now considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest.