are opossums dangerous

have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest – a bone making their forehead look taller. These marsupials. Are possums dangerous? If you reside in the Hamilton or Burlington area, then it is very likely that you may have noticed a opossum or two in your neighborhood. Copyright - PestStrategies.com (operated by Home Media, LLC) © 2020 They are passive in manner, shy away from confrontation and often “play dead” when confronted by a predator or another animal. Are Opossums Dangerous To Humans? But when a opossum bares his teeth and hisses at you, then you should be alert because he may be afraid of you or think of you as a predator. All these questions may concern a lot of people, so today we are going to discuss if possums can cause any damage or harm to humans and their pets. Since children are not very immune to disease, it is advised to keep them away from these wild animals. Opossums are immune to the toxins in bee and scorpion stings. While just about any wildlife animal has the potential to carry diseases, opossums do not typically harbor rabies, according to the Wildlife Rescue League. Are you seeing strange tracks in the mud, snow or fine soil around your property? If you reside in the Hamilton or Burlington area, then it is very likely that you may have noticed a opossum or two in your neighborhood. If you have kids in the house, safety is likely always top of mind. Please consult a licensed exterminator before utilizing pesticides in or around your living conditions. When people picture a “possum,” most are actually thinking of an “opossum.” Possums are native to Australia. Copyright 2020 Wild Life Pest ©  All Rights Reserved, ArmadilloBatsBeaverBirdsChipmunksFoxGopher, MoleOpossumRaccoonsRatsSkunksSnakeSquirrels, Most opossums are around the size of a housecat. Unless an opossum is directly attacked, it won't bite you. If you have seen or heard of opossums in your neighborhood, backyard, and/or home, it's time you get to know them, too. Generally speaking, the opossum is a nocturnal animal which avoids interaction with humans. Due to the fact that opossums' nail beds are easily ripped out, it's highly unlikely that they will scratch a predator at all—even in self-defense. They mostly play dead when confronted by a predator or by another animal. They also provide some benefits like eating harmful insects and ridding pests from your neighborhood. But, to scare off predators, the opossum may use all its biological defenses to protect himself. Opossums are usually found in North America. The red-imported fire ant, often referred to as RIFA, is an invasive species and has been known to prey on other native insect species as well as plants, with some fire ants even preying on small mammals many times their own size. The opossum can drop its heartbeat for a period of a few minutes to a maximum of two hours in order to give the predator enough time to lose interest. Prefer environments near streams or swamps and take shelter in burrows of other animals, tree cavities, brush piles, and other cover. Home » Pest Killing Guides » Opossum Guides » Are Opossums / Possums Dangerous? These are peaceful, solitary creatures that enjoy a quiet life, so the chances that you'll ever face danger at the hands (or paws) of an opossum are slim to none. As noted above, opossums are famously non-confrontational. We've got the answers to these and more! Some notions about the opossum can be validated, while others have been brought on by misinformation. As a homeowner, you may see opossums as unwanted pests, but they can also be helpful critters. Important Disclaimer: The information contained on Pest Strategies is intended for informational and educational purposes only. These animals, around the size of a small cat, have 50 teeth. There’s also a concern for spreading diseases. When an opossum bares its teeth and hisses at you, it's normal to wonder what's coming up next. As for cats, cats may potentially kill younger rat-sized opossums, but adult opossums and cats have been seen to exhibit a mutual respect for one another. The opossum is North America’s only marsupial and often carries common misconceptions. They are beneficial because they are known to eat harmful pests and insects such as rats, cockroaches, and snakes. How could one insect smaller than a quarter contribute so much to life on earth? Bees are small after all, most around half an inch in size. The possum, which is also known as the opossum, is a wild animal that can be perceived as a nuisance by many. Our pest experts review each company for quality, cost, customer service, safety, and 100’s of other important factors and assess a rating out of 100. There is also the chance that he may attack you in self-defense. For all you know, this creepy, growling scavenger might lunge forward and attack you! Yes, opossums are considered to be dangerous because of the large variety of diseases that they carry and can transmit. Since young kids can potentially have a weaker immune system, it’s advised to keep them away from any wildlife animal that may potentially compromise their health. As mentioned, opossums don’t carry rabies, however, they can potentially carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomonas’s and Chagas disease, according to the University of California Agriculture an… After the predator leaves, the opossum springs back to life and flees the scene. a single opossum can eat up to 5,000 ticks a year, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, Terminix® can help you remove unwanted opossums from your home, Learn more about the types of cookies we use. These marsupials have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest – a bone making their forehead look taller. When it comes to possums, you are always worried about the health and safety of your kids. The opossum, also known as the possum, is a wildlife animal that can be perceived very differently by different parties, including adults, kids and pets. Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. Your pets are most likely safe from an opossum attacking them. While this can be a nuisance during a relaxing evening out on the porch, light can also be used to trap and kill these annoying pests. Still, they may carry diseases like leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomonas's and Chagas disease. While they may not be a threat to your kid’s safety and your own, they are still wild animals. Fire ants are more than just annoying insects that may leave itchy stings—they can also be destructive. Opossums have a natural resistance to rabies and botulism, so they aren’t likely to spread these diseases. If we study the nature of opossums, then we will see that opossums are nocturnal animals. According to the CDC, opossums, while rare, do have the ability to carry some diseases. During this charade, the opossum's body is limp and its tongue hangs out of its mouth, giving every outward impression that it truly is dead. While they may not be a threat to your kid’s safety and your own, they are still wild animals. More commonly found opossums are native to North and South America. How to get Beavers out of your Stream or River, Goose (Canadian Goose) Removal and Control, Sparrows (House Sparrow) Removal and Control, How to stop Woodpeckers from Pecking your House or Building, How to get a Fox out of your yard (and keep them out), How to Remove Rats from your Attic in 5 steps, How to Safely Remove a Skunk from A Window Well, Do-it-yourself Squirrel Removal Guide: Step by Step, How to get squirrels out of your walls permanently. Most of the time, an opossum's interaction with a human is one of a very muted nature—in an effort to hinder an interaction with the predator, the opossum will simply play dead. Do possums attack humans? As an additional deterrent, opossums have evolved to slip into a seemingly catatonic state. Our pest management professionals are certified and experienced, which allows them to safely trap opossums and at the same time follow the proper legalities involved with relocating them to a home outdoors. By trying to make your home their home, they may use various parts of the house to build a place to nest.

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