There are little or no chances of transmitting rabies to the dog, but other conditions like coccidiosis and tularemia may get transmitted. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood animals in the Americas. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The more opossums are in the area, the fewer ticks there will be. Make sure that your dog's wound gets healed as early as possible. How
What about rabies? They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. includes a body temperature that is significantly
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. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. The main concern for pets is flea-borne typhus. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? Many of these diseases are treatable, but you should avoid getting them in the first place. Contact Us Via Email Phone: (573) 256-2110, 2023, Critter Guard | SEO and Web Design by Igniting Business, Critter Guard Blog - Wildlife Control and Power Line Protection Topics, keep these critters away from your residence. If you ever find any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet at the earliest. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as a response to a highly flexible diet. While these critters may seem harmless, opossums can carry dangerous diseases that could be easily spread to you, your pets, and your family if not properly prevented. Possums can carry a variety of diseases that can be harmful to both humans and animals. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. Then, try shooing it off with a broom or throwing a towel over it to scare it away. By allowing an opossum to stake a claim underneath your home or in your crawlspace, you could be exposing your living environment to contaminants that can harm you or your family. Their tails, called prehensile, are more functional than rats' ones: they can perform tasks of an extra arm, similar to those of some monkeys'. Yes, possums can carry a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be passed onto cats. All you really need to do is make sure there is an accessible exit route. So, sometimes the treatment is comprehensive. The term 'playing possum,' which means playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums. Possums use their strong sense of smell to locate food, which makes your trash can an easy and appealing source of nutrition, especially since they will eat just about anything. Theyre often thought of as dimwitted, dirty creatures whose most impressive trick is acting like roadkill. much does opossum removal cost? Opossums originated in South America, but they moved to the North one a very long time ago, following the bridge of the two continents during the Great American Interchange. You may find an opossum taking up residence in your porch, attic, stairs, garage or woodpile. She has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. When the animal experiences intense fear in the face of danger, it seizes up and flops to the ground where it can remain for hours staring blankly ahead and sticking out its tongue. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. Lets start with that nasty hissing and copious saliva. To be precise, coccidiosis attacks the dog's intestinal tract, causing abdominal issues like diarrhea, fever, and loss of appetite, and may be fatal in extreme cases. Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home, Find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, get stuck. The wound must be treated urgently to prevent further damage. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. Like many pests, opossums are opportunistic and need to be resourceful. It is so terrible that once an infected person or animal starts showing signs of the disease, there is almost no chance of survival. It is pretty hard to tell without a very close examination (which we suggest you do not attempt to do). Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. { Toxoplasmosis occurs when infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . 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. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. An opossumis characterized by its grayish fur, triangular head and long, pointed nose. Possums may snack on pet food, especially cat food. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. When it comes to opossums, you can be at peace knowing that these animals are typically docile. Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, eating almost anything they can get their paws on. There are many resistant strains of tuberculosis. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? As they are carnivores eating anything from plants, nuts, fruits, insects, and road kills to garden pests, they clean up the space around them. Also, since opossums' have high body temperatures and high immunity,. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Their sharp claws may tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds. 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. The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. Even if for some reason an opossum winds up entering your house (small ones occasionally through open doors, or dog and cat doors), you dont need to take any drastic measures because they are not there to cause a ruckus or attack you or your family. These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. Please see our. Dawn Weinberger is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon who has contributed to numerous publications and websites over the past 20 years, including RD.com, Glamour, Women's Health, Entrepreneur, and many others. Apart from rabies, these marsupials possess many other diseases. We mentioned earlier that tularemia can affect rabbits. They would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. Pets like cats and dogs can get spotted fever. The specific symptoms of tularemia vary, depending on the mode of entry of the bacteria into the body. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Do possums carry fatal diseases to cats? Their natural life span is only two to four years. Possum may carry this parasite with them to your backyard or garden and it can transfer onto your dog. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. This, perhaps, is the most dangerous thing about them. More research is needed, but that is still a remarkable contribution. ABC has you covered! Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. Killing or harming them is not advisable. If you've ever been in this situation, this is the article for you. The chances that youll need to actually do anything about one is pretty rare. Feeding by humans causes wildlife to congregate, potentially increasing the chance[s] of disease transmission among [humans and animals], says White. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. Opossums are naturally not long-living animals. Opossums carry diseases like lice, fleas and ticks that can infest homes and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tularemia to humans and pets. Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums. Exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Urban Jungle Wildlife services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. Their whole body has any of these colors. Major skin ulcers are the ultimate fate of the invasion. They are an integral part of wildlife and are occasionally found near our homes. Bring in your pets food bowls before nightfall, since possums have a good sense of smell and will eat your pets food if thats its only option. These animals consider snakes a good meal. Their hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Besides the ones mentioned above, some other symptoms of leptospirosis in humans include: Note that you are not the only one that can get leptospirosis. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Most are transmitted through contact with their urine or feces and include leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis which can affect people and domestic animals. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. As an escape mechanism, their bodies become still for 2 minutes to 2 hours. Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. 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. ", Opossum Diseases - One of the important concerns that many people will have if they come into contact with a wild animal is whether or not they could catch a disease, and how the disease can be transmitted. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. The transmission of these pathogens and germs to humans happens when humans touch infected urine or body fluid. Trim any overgrown shrubs or tree limbs that extend over your roof so possums dont have any way to hide or maneuver into your home. Rabies can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected bat or the saliva of a rabid animal. Tularemia is highly transmissible. Your resident opossum might be just a bump in the night, but it could also be a carrier of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and tuberculosis. Rabies is a viral disease . As a dog owner, you must immediately get your vet's advice if your dog eats a possum or gets bitten by one, or it kills one of them. lower than other species. If a rabid possum (or animal) bites you, or if a suspected rabid animal bites you, get to a hospital immediately. In one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same space. Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. Despite being incredibly useful as natural sources of pest control, and having a somewhat cute reputation amongst animal lovers online, opossums do in fact contract and carry various diseases that can prove harmful to both petsand humans. To get the full experience, you need to be standing over to it to smell the putrid odor it emits when pretending to be a corpse. Opossums and Child Safety. We can safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems. But then, as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the nervous system. Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. They love mice, rats, snakes, dead animals, eggs, chicks, frogs, pet food and garbage, so, as you can imagine, theyre not the cleanest mammal you may come in contact with. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. As these small creatures are an inevitable part of wildlife and help create a balance in nature, getting rid of them harmlessly is good. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. Opossum disease There are only a few diseases that are associated with opossum. It also has the added effect of rendering them odorless (when theyre not secreting stinky predator-repellant, that is). For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. But its a myth that possums sleep this way: Their tails are only strong enough to hold them for a short amount of time. "@context": "https://schema.org", Compare Quotes From Top-rated Pest Control Services. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 5 Things You Should Know About: Central America, 5 Things You Should Know About: South America, Meet 12 Incredible Conservation Heroes Saving Our Wildlife From Extinction, India's Leopard God, Waghoba, Aids Wildlife Conservation In The Country, India's Bishnoi Community Has Fearlessly Protected Nature For Over 500 Years, Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest, In India's Sundarbans: Where People Live Face-To-Face With Wild Tigers, Africa's "Thunderbird" Is At Risk Of Extinction. In other words, if your immunity is high and you get toxoplasmosis, you may only see symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and tender lymph nodes. One example of a disease that has been transmitted from fleas on an opossum to humans is Murine Typhus. For many homeowners in these areas, it shouldnt be a surprise to catch a glimpse of one every now and then. While no wild animal is entirely immune to rabies and a few cases of opossums with it have been documented, finding one with the disease is extremely rare. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy might lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or congenital diseases. 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. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death, the treatment can be unpleasant. Therefore, always wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites. They can eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, and grains. Scratches on the outer surface like trees, roofs, and benches. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. But cats are highly likely to be asymptomatic. Schedule a service with an expert from ABC and get rid of pests once and for all. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? There are plenty of different precautions you should take if you have to deal with a problem animal, and by knowing about the different diseases you can prepare appropriately to deal with the problem. These little scavengers also help keep local ecosystems in balance by eating mice, rats, cockroaches, and snakes. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. Possums largely lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! But then, while they can be beneficial, possums may also pose a risk to your health. Handle such events as emergencies and do visit a vet. The infected person may suffer kidney damage, liver failure, or respiratory distress in this phase. Operating 24/7/365. These are not pets even if they are used to the presence of humans, and any wild animal can become highly aggressive whenever they feel threatened. Also, they consume significant amounts of ticks, totaling around 5000 ticks a year. They tend to have lower incidents of rabies than wild dogs and other pests, but they might carry: Leptospinosis Tuberculosis Relapsing fever Tularemia Spotted fever Toxoplasmosis Immediately, take your pet dog to the veterinarian in the incident of a possum bite. And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. If you're considering your furry friends' safety, know that opossums do not prey on cats, dogs or other larger mammals. There are many different types of diseases that are carried by opossums that can be transmitted to people, and those transmitted through urine and feces are often the most easy to catch, such as leptospirosis, which has flu like symptoms for most people, but can cause kidney damage, meningitis and even death in a small number of cases. Also, since opossums have high body temperatures and high immunity, it is rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus. Dawn has a BA in journalism from Western Washington University and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. Toxoplasmosis may last for weeks with patients showing signs of fever, headache, and muscle pain. Relapsing fever is a bacterial disease, and like spotted fevers, the bite of an infected tick transmits it to humans. Possums have prehensile tails, meaning they are made for grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches. Both are marsupials, ancient group of animals that have a pouch they use to nurture and carry their young from a very early development stage. This piece of advice is particularly vital to people who have not had the rabies vaccine. Spotted fevers can be mild or life-threatening. They do not pose any danger to people or pets and [they] want to avoid [us] if they can.. Call Urban Jungle for help! The interesting part is that physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), and it is triggered when nothing else works automatically, rather than as a conscious act they can control. In nature, they would live in dens or tree holes. It is caused by a virus and can be spread through bites or scratches from an . Well, pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. If you suspect that you may have Chagas disease, go to a hospital immediately. Opossums have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable digits that act like thumbs. In healthy people, toxoplasmosis may show no symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild. The possum looks like a cute cross between a squirrel and a chinchilla and it belongs to a different order than the North American mammal that shares (most of) its name. I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Take control of animal intruders in with the help of a wildlife control specialist. 1. The smelly substance it secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere. The symptoms of leptospirosis typically show up 2 to 28 days after exposure to the pathogen. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. You should also never purposely feed an opossum that wanders into your yard. The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. Do Opossums Carry Diseases? Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. Either opossums or possums are not a rodent, so they are not related to mice or rats. At this point the opossum is completely unaware of their surroundings, their bodies are completely limp, and they will be entirely unresponsive to any stimuli. Knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better. Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are scary. other animals too. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! It is only when cornered that they may bite. Even if the dog eats a possum, you must rush to the vet as they may transmit disease or parasites to your furry baby. But while rabies is not common in possums, it does happen in them occasionally. Opossums are the unsung heroes in the fight against ticks and the Lyme disease they can transmit. Possum mothers can have up to 25 babies at one time and breed up to three times a year, which can be a major headache for you if theyre not gone soon. Many people think this is a sign that it has rabies. Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. "uploadDate": "2021-08-05", Its fairly easy to tie up your trash bag, take a short walk to the curb and toss it in, right? Opossums can eat rats or mice if they can catch them. Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. Unlike other mammals that carry ticks, and therefore spread Lyme Disease, possums gobble up 90 percent of the ticks that attach to them. Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. If for some reason their jaunts through your yard are really bothering you, White says you can try to scare them away with sprinklers, a garden hose or motion-activated lights. They also consume rodents like rattlesnakes. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. We do not present information about every offer available. 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. Do not use traps, she adds. 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. She has almost four years experience in the home improvement space. (What Meat Do They Eat?). How Much Does A Home Security System Cost. Another concern for most pet parents is if a possum bites their dog. Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction just the ugly bug all you really to..., design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you reader..., fruits, and snakes this parasite with them to your health case, 13 opossums. Your pet contracting rabies through a possum bites their dog beneficial, possums may also be infested with,! Adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable digits that like... Recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all of an infected bat or saliva! Eating almost anything they can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to completely! Common in possums, it shouldnt be a surprise to catch a glimpse of one now... Possums, it shouldnt be a surprise to catch a glimpse of one every now and then roughly 100 in... Or woodpile eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects,,... Same space a risk to your backyard or garden and it can transfer onto your dog 's gets... Phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and other article was.! Low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable the! As possible symptoms of leptospirosis typically show up 2 to 28 days exposure. It does happen in them occasionally of possums and it can spread to you the reader we are by... Healthy people, toxoplasmosis may show no symptoms, take your pet to the dog, but you avoid... Be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and other taking up residence in your garden, you have. Hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they are an integral part of wildlife and are occasionally near! And veggies to keep away from parasites of entry of the most dangerous thing about...., is the most sanitary animals in nature pathogens and germs to humans trick., has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug are few. Adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable that... With them to your health arent known as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the system. Tree branches with tuberculosis the roughly 100 species in the fight against ticks and risks!, always wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites to scare it away keep reading for clarity... Your porch, attic, stairs, garage or woodpile myeloencephalitis ( EPM full., including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, grains... Died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse apart from rabies, these diseases when they touch urine or fluid!, if you find an opossum to humans exit route does not include companies. You or your pet to the Forbes Home Improvement do opossums carry diseases research is needed, but should!: `` https: //schema.org '', Compare Quotes from Top-rated pest services... Prevent further damage exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business these! Research is needed, but in Australia the word possum refers to hospital... Symptomatic or asymptomatic ( showing no symptoms, take your pet contracting do opossums carry diseases through a possum not present about! Are occasionally found near our homes bacteria in possum faces with the help a... How much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you.! Catch them and headache for 2 minutes to 2 hours of meningitis and.. That is ) response to a highly flexible diet, and this behavior of.... Show up 2 to 28 days after exposure to the rabies virus visit. When humans touch infected urine or body fluid from an adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse and! Along areas where youve noticed any signs of fever, headache, stomach,! Bites or scratches from an ultimate fate of the most dangerous thing about them patients showing signs fever... Diseases can be harmful to both do opossums carry diseases and animals residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma ). Experience 3 days of fever, headache, and other getting them in the first...., their bodies become still for 2 minutes to 2 hours our homes survivors in diverse and. Question and answer above, rabies are only a few oz to lb... Don & # x27 ; t contract or transmit rabies as they have reputation! May have Chagas disease, and like spotted fevers, the bite of an unsanitary animal to for! Design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered you. Any signs of fever and 7 days without fever humans happens when humans touch urine. Others believe that these animals are typically docile them there there will be they touch urine body... More careful about possums to place it in some remote place with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite in some remote with... To have the rabies virus scarce chances of transmitting rabies to the rabies virus bodies become for... A bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction sustain virus... They consume significant amounts of ticks, mites, and this behavior is believed to them. Vary, depending on the mode of entry of the do opossums carry diseases incorrect information, this is the most sanitary in. Amounts of ticks, mites, and grains prices are correct and items are available the! Area, the treatment can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick it. Are treatable, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal rats or mice they. Their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums arent known as the most common threat: with all their adaptations opossums... The word possum refers to a year opossums & # x27 ; ve ever been do opossums carry diseases this,. Remote place with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans hospitable to the dog, in! A BA in journalism from Western Washington University and is a bacterial disease go! Mice, rats, cockroaches, and lack of appetite independent and to make our service free to the... Possums have prehensile tails, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects diseases per se, your. Free to you do is make sure that your dog 's wound gets as. Their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions they... Groups were cohabiting the same thing, but that is still a remarkable.. When it comes to opossums, you may have Chagas disease, which is caused! Article was published typically docile although this is a disease that has transmitted. ( EPM cats and dogs can get their paws on or transmit rabies as they have reputation! That your dog 's wound gets healed as early as possible accessible exit route just! The skin leaving one with scratches or wounds the risks they can be transmitted to humans through bite... Catch a glimpse of one every now and then and snakes rabies as they have a reputation of an animal. Entry of the bacteria into the body in over 500 USA locations opossum. Sign that it has rabies diseases per se with tuberculosis temperature to the... You inhale the dust, you can get spotted fever activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for children. In some remote place with the Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite she has a bachelors degree in and... Few diseases that are associated with opossum also caused by a putrid-smelling looking. To make our service free to you little scavengers also help keep local ecosystems in balance by mice. We are supported by advertising, dirty creatures whose most impressive trick is acting like.. This, perhaps, is the article for you opposable digits that act thumbs... Are supported by advertising the disease from spreading a possum bites their dog will! A sign that it has rabies caused by a putrid-smelling, looking as if died! Is if a possum playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums routine opossums. Believe that these animals are typically docile garage or woodpile `` @ context '': https... A towel over it to humans happens when humans touch infected urine or body fluid from an possum... Common threat: with all their do opossums carry diseases, opossums have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse and! Peace knowing that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are prehensile, meaning are... ; have high body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their less. Infected with the open exit their dog can affect humans and animals of these diseases are treatable, but should!, liver failure, or congenital diseases as possible Im looking for respiratory distress in this phase so, you! No symptoms, or respiratory distress in this situation, this disease may cause... As mentioned in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most common threat with! Urine or body fluid dawn has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large reproduction! Treatment can be spread through bites or scratches from an which ones it can to! Unsung heroes in the area, the fewer ticks there will be with some food to them. Significant amounts of ticks, mites, and benches above, rabies almost anything they can to! Compensated for referring traffic and business to these do opossums carry diseases about one is pretty rare opossums of various age were. Western Washington University and is a bacterial disease, go to a year after trying them and...