If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. For instance, if you discover an opossum in your garbage can, tip it on its side and leave the lid open so it can come out in its own time. If your pet is outside at night, its possible that your cat or dog may get into a fight with a possum on your property. They are also typically rather timid, so unless they are cornered, opossums will likely hurry away to avoid a confrontation. She has over five years of experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angies List). Their natural life span is only two to four years. Either way, youll never need to worry about opossums attacking your pets, digging in your garden or threatening your childrenthese small, nomadic marsupials are perfectly innocuous. Opossums can be tricky critters, and it is right to stay away from regardless whether or not they contain rabies. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Their opened mouth and hissing can feel intimidating but is only used as a defense mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous. The Predator Free 2050 project aimed to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats by 2050 when it was set up in 2016. Their whole body has any of these colors. However, there is little to fear from this common mammal. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Opossums are often accused, but rarely responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens. Possums take advantage of this adaptation by chowing down on snakes on a regular basis. Some people would inadvertently kill the animal that "plays dead" by throwing them into a pit, garbage bin, or enclosed trash bag where they suffocate. Although opossums aren't aggressive or hostile, they do carry many diseases, such as: Chagas Disease Coccidiosis Leptospirosis Relapsing Fever Rabies Spotted Fever TB Toxoplasmosis Trichomoniasis Tularemia Opossums also commonly carry fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. While many animals with coccidiosis are asymptomatic, the young, elderly, or immunocompromised animals could develop severe symptoms. There are little or no chances of transmitting rabies to the dog, but other conditions like coccidiosis and tularemia may get transmitted. There are, however, plenty of other infectious diseases to watch out for when it comes to possums. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. Chagas disease: Caused by the tiny one-celled parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, a possum may bring this parasite into your garden where it then transfers onto your Coccidiosis: Caused by a parasite that lives in the wall of your dog's intestine, it may not cause any symptoms, but it can be fatal for young pups as it causes a severe infection. And you will keep relapsing following the same intervals until you get treatment. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death, the treatment can be unpleasant. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. Only once theyve grown big and strong enough do they venture out, transitioning between their mothers back and the warmth of the pouch until they mature into adults. This is why you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine.

Their natural reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared. Many people fear opossums due to their rat like appearance. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. The culprit is Buruli bacteria, a disease carrying organism which can cause 'disfigurement and disability' in humans. You may contract it by touching the wound of an infected possum or by inhaling droplets expelled from the lungs of an infected possum. Though they seem to prefer deciduous forests, they also like farmland, open woods or urban areas, White says. The pups grow rapidly, but even after they are ready to leave the pouch, the mother will not leave them behind and will carry them on her back while she scavenges for a meal for about 100 days. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. Opossums carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria such as: Salmonella Campylobacter, streptococcus, and Staphylococcus infections Cryptococcosis Ringworm and tapeworm Chlamydia Giardia disease (Giardiasis) Yersinia infection Anthrax Hantavirus Listeria Lyme Disease Do Opossums Carry Rabies? Opossums as a species are not particularly prone Because they are living on the possum, it means that they are often carrying the illnesses that possums have, so you need to be on guard to avoid even coming in contact with these animals. Email us at info@aaanimalcontrol.com - Humane Wildlife Control Advice - Wild Animal Education, Other Wildlife Species Advice & Information. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. In such events, do visit the doctor instantly. What about rabies? Even if the dog eats a possum, you must rush to the vet as they may transmit disease or parasites to your furry baby. So, if anyone eats veggies or fruits with possum fecal matter, they may catch leptospirosis, meningitis, liver issues, kidney problems, and respiratory complications. Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. They would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. If you feed your pets outside, clean their food bowls and make sure you move everything inside as soon as they finish their kibbles. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. A few years ago, a team of scientists made progress on this front when they recreated a peptide found in possums and and found that mice given the peptide and rattlesnake venom were successfully protected from the venoms harmful effects. The more opossums are in the area, the fewer ticks there will be. When you suffer a relapse due to low immunity, you may experience symptoms like seizures, fever, confusion, headache, poor coordination, and nausea. Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. "@type": "VideoObject", It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. Do not use traps, she adds. The transmission of these pathogens and germs to humans happens when humans touch infected urine or body fluid. Reach out toUrban Jungle Wildlife Removal for a customized wildlife removal solution. However, we recommend that you avoid making friends with these nocturnal animals or inviting them to stay on your property. ), https://blog.nwf.org/2017/06/opossums-unsung-heroes-in-the-fight-against-ticks-and-lyme-disease, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/benefits-of-opossums.htm, https://crittercontroloftampa.com/blog/how-can-i-tell-if-an-opossum-is-sick, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74123.html, https://www.terminix.com/blog/home-garden/opossums-facts-rabies/, https://urbanjunglewildliferemoval.com/blog/are-opossums-dangerous/#diseases, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/symptoms/index.html, https://news.okstate.edu/articles/veterinary-medicine/2018/leptospirosis-in-cats.html, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/transmission/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/signssymptoms/index.html, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-cats, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-dogs, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis), https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chagas-disease-in-dogs, https://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/blog/posts/chagas-disease-in-pets.html, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351256, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250, https://www.cdc.gov/otherspottedfever/index.html, https://adobevets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Newsletter-Tick-Borne-Diseases-and-Your-Pet.pdf, https://www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/index.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236141, https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/disease.html, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-dogs/toxoplasmosis-in-dogs, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. They are resistant to the venom of nearly every type of snake found in their native range: they take down even rattlesnakes and copperheads. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. As per scientific research, the chances of possums carrying rabies is eight times less than other species. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. In one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same space. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. Immediately, take your pet dog to the veterinarian in the incident of a possum bite. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Although opossum attacks on pets are unlikely, they may lash out if cornered or competing for food. We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. But they take cleanliness seriously: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife writes that possums, like housecats, use their tongue and paws to groom themselves frequently and thoroughly. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. ), Do Skunks Eat Meat? Check your inbox for your latest news from us. If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Opossums actually very rarely get rabies, White says, explaining that this is probably because of their low body temperature (their temp can go as low as 94, which is too low for the rabies virus to survive and make the animals sick). Some people think theyre cute. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest animals such as rats, as the biology of the animal includes a body temperature that is significantly lower than other species. Ensure you wear gloves while carrying the carcass as it may pass on worms or protozoans. Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? But interestingly, possums rarely host the rabies virus. We can safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems. But its a myth that possums sleep this way: Their tails are only strong enough to hold them for a short amount of time. In evolutionary biology, the independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental challenges is called "good move." We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. When not on the female's back, or holding her tail, they keep in touch by communication through bird-like sounds, clicks, and lip-smacking sound. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. The thing is, thats a myth. Spotted fevers are a group of bacterial diseases. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. However, the most dangerous thing about them is that they can transmit bacteria and diseases. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. Unlike that, opossums have white faces and grey bodies. But then, it is possible for a possum to have rabies. All you really need to do is make sure there is an accessible exit route. (What Diseases Do They Get? The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. So, if you somehow get bitten by a rabid possum, you may get rabies. "name": "Opossum in the Backyard", Feeding by humans causes wildlife to congregate, potentially increasing the chance[s] of disease transmission among [humans and animals], says White. Maybe you find them lovable, or maybe their pointy ears and toothy smirks churn your stomach. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. All Rights Reserved. Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. If you have kids in the house, safety is likely always top of mind. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Also, since opossums have high body temperatures and high immunity, it is rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus. (What Diseases Do They Get? These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. Do opossums carry diseases? The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. If you catch an opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or click as a warning to stay back. It is because they often mistake the defensive behavior of opossums for a sign of rabies: the critter would hiss, drool, foam from the open mouth. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Opossums, just like any other wildlife species, can carry disease. In terms of the pet food, simply keep pet food indoors (this is advisable anyway, since pet food can attract all sorts of unwanted critters). Yes, possums can carry a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be passed onto cats. Possums can carry a variety of diseases that can be harmful to both humans and animals. Possums are friendly mammals that reach out to strangers without reservations, while opossums are more reserved. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely.

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