Debary, FL on Apr 11, 2012

Possom - does anyone know about these animals?

A possom walked so close to me so at first I was afraid. It looked at me, I looked at it and slowly it went away. Is there a anything I should know about this animal/rodent? What does it hurt/destroy? Should I call animal control?

29 Comments Displaying 25 of 29 comments | See Previous

Nina F Woodridge, IL

YIKES!!! I grew up in the City of Chicago & had never seen a possum up close & personal. Then this one time I came upon a possum next to the side of my house. I totally thought it was a genetically altered, mutant RAT!!! I screamed, ran, slipped on a piece of ice, thought I broke my arm & when I stood up fainted!!! LOL City girl problems!!!!

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 2
Becky H Tampa, FL

We have an opossum family living under our gazebo; every year they have a litter, and the babies are so cute! Opossums eat things I don't care to have in my yard, so I don't mind having them here. Seldom do we bump into one another, but upon occasion, we almost collide on the boardwalk. When the opossum sees me, he turns and runs away. I consider them to be totally benign, unless they look unhealthy.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

I was very surprised to see him in mid afternoon. Wish I had a camera as he was a big one.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Pat G Monroe, GA

my niece is wet-nursing a pair of babies... mother was zapped by a speeding neighbor... good learning experience (even giving kisses and wiping their faces after feeding) for my great nephew...

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Evelyn R Manchester, MD

Nina (one of my dearest friend's name) - I'm still laughing. Sorry you broke your arm.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 1
Evelyn R Manchester, MD

Didn't read it correctly, I see you only thought you broke your arm.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 1
Evelyn R Manchester, MD

I've had them visit and I just look at them and they try to play "you don't see me". Now, when a skunk visits, I'm the one who backs away ... quickly!

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Bonnie B Shingle Springs, CA

All I know is be careful ~ ! I had one that raised itself up on a screen door so I bent down to get a close look. My, my, my what long nails and teeth they have. It was very interested in me; as I was of him/her. I know of an individual that rescues Possums and has always told me that if I see one that's been hit on the highway to stop and check its pouch for babies. Yea...right...! Don't think I'd go there but I know she does and has found live ones in the pouch, has taken care of them and returned them to nature.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Fawn S Cincinnati, OH

be very careful they are very aggressive animals and will bite you. They carry all sorts of diseases to and will fight with a dog or cat..

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Fawn S, I think if any animal is trapped it will attack. Their worst problem is they are ugly.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 1
Becky H Tampa, FL

Opossums don't pick the fight............the dogs start it. I know, because I have had 3 dogs, one of which always attacked opossums if it saw one before I did. Another would go over to see what it was, and if it ran, would run after it. Opossums acquire rabies less often than raccoons, and are relatively benign. They have razor sharp nails for digging and protecting themselves, as well as sharp teeth. In 29 yrs. I've never had one charge me.

on Apr 12, 2012 · Like 0
Hewitt Remodeling Service... Virginia Beach, VA

Taken in my backyard a few years ago...
- 3
on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 3
Charlotte F Hillman, MI

I am told they do carry rabies sometimes

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Hewitt, awwwww.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Sherrie, one word ... "eeeuuuw". lol
I've only seen them attack when they feel threatened. The look is enough to scare me so I go the other way when I see them.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 1
Louise Norcross, GA

I have a friend who's a wildlife rehabber and possums are one of her main animals. She told me they do NOT carry rabies, so that's good. You'll seldom see one since they're nocturnal and they avoid people. I think they're pretty harmless, especially since you won't see them often. If you feed outdoor animals -- cats or dogs -- they will come up at night and eat the food.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 1
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Douglas I went to the site you suggested and was glad to see the possom eats insects, snails, snakes, frogs, birds and their eggs, and small mammals such as meadow voles, mice, and rats. I'd rather it didn't eat birds/eggs & hope there are enough of the other creatures to keep him busy. I love having 2 acres with a small lake where I provide refuge for many animals/birds. So Teresa D, there is some good about Possoms. Awww.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia B Morristown, TN

It will also eat dog or cat food. They are really fun to watch in trees and some people find baby ones and make pets out of them.

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Sherrie ... ok, I suppose. I would be afraid of my dogs running into one in my backyard when I let them out at night thought. We've had a close call. Still think they are yucky but I'll consider the good they do. *shudder* lol

on Apr 13, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

Live and let live. I have six acres with a little bit of everything. The babies like to come up on our front porch when we forget and leave a water bottle they play with it. We'll be laying in bed and hear the bottle scooting around, we sneak to the window and see them playing like children. They are not aggressive, They have always ran away when we open the door. I also have a dog and haven't had any issues between them.

on Apr 14, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

Possums aren't meant to have as pets, so I hope no one encourages that. Wild animals should be wild. Maybe if one is severely injured and can't adjust to the wild anymore, then a certified rehabber should take care of it, not Average Joe.

on Apr 14, 2012 · Like 1
Bonnie B Shingle Springs, CA

HEWITT: YOUR PICTURE IS JUST DARLING ~~ You are a great photographer !! I enjoyed reading the scoop on Possums that everyone posted. Thanks ! for the education.

on Apr 14, 2012 · Like 0
Angela L Red Hook, NY

Possums are generally harmless, they like most wild life will just move along, they are night dwellers looking for food, they will eat garbage and quite good at getting a can open, insects, etc.., if you see them roaming during the day be very cautious, and Yes possums can indeed be infected AND carry rabies. just like coyote, dogs, cats, humans, deer, raccoons, etc.. if bitten or exchange of saliva even if in a tussle with a rabid animal. look for signs of lethargic, wondering, even ...»
hissing, and over all sickly appearance, kind like a human just rolling out of bed, rabid animals have no fear and will be very aggressive. if you see them roaming during the day you should contact animal control, however where I live getting anyone here ( in the country) because its no big deal, unless they are causing harm to humans or animals.. They do look like over sized rats, they have every sharp teeth, are known for playing dead when frightened or surprised, as with all mothers they will protect their young with all its might,

on Apr 15, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

After all the answers I've read here I've decided NOT to call animal control for the possom. I'll just let him join the other creatures that visit here. Yesterday we saw a racoon far in the backyard. Two weeks ago it was a bear that went through the neighborhood.
My subdivision is surrounded by woods and there are environmental easements throughout the subdivision. Hopefully the easements will help keep us protected from some greedy humans, the most dangerous creatures. Thank you all for the responses.

on Apr 15, 2012 · Like 4
Louise Norcross, GA

I asked my friend, a state-certified wildlife rehabber who often rehabs possums, and this is info she gave me:
I am a licensed wildlife rehabber that has worked with Virginia Opossums for years. They are NOT considered an RVS (Rabies Vector Species) and you would have a higher chance of being hit by lightening. They are not mammal, rather marsupial, and because of their genetic make up does not make ...»
them predisposed to RABIES. That being said, they are one of nature's most important species, as they can eat dead and rotting diseased items, keeping nature clean and clear from infected items which could kill most other animals (their stomach make up is much like vultures so when I talk to kids I touch on both the value of their being the daytime and nighttime clean up crews). Best yet, "possums" can and will eat poisonous snakes so they are super good to have around. They do carry a protozoa in their poop that can be bad for people with horses (of course the horse would have to eat the poop), but much like cats, they are very clean and harmless animals. Like most wildlife, they are defensive, not aggressive, and unfortunately too many people have kept/raised them as pets, finding out it's illegal, only to release them back to the wild, sadly as a habituated animal which is not afraid of people. This usually leads to their demise. They will eat with feral cat colonies, and because of their poor eye sight, and their overall genetic make up, they many times are slow at retreat. The one that approached you could have had poor eyesight as well and didn't know exactly what you were.....so give them a break and the benefit of the doubt.

on Apr 15, 2012 · Like 4