When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. The early signs of rabies infection are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and the like. Schedule a service with an expert from ABC and get rid of pests once and for all. The next big thing is the difference in the way they look. ), 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. The state of your immune system is pretty vital to your chances of getting infected or getting sick with tuberculosis. Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. They have impressive memories when it comes to food: better than rats or dogs. So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Call Urban Jungle for help! There is never any additional cost to you. Tuberculosis may also cause fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and chills. Possums lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. In healthy people, toxoplasmosis may show no symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild. Consider these rhyming words to the wise: If it has fleas, it can have a disease. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home, Find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, get stuck. Knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better. 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. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. So they do not carry Lyme disease. The ones you can meet in North America - and memes - are Opossums. Possums carry various disease-causing agents (pathogens) from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and ectoparasites. All Rights Reserved. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. We know that their faces and tails remind some people of rats, especially if encountered in dim light and running fast. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? Rabies can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected bat or the saliva of a rabid animal. Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. But thankfully, there are effective treatments. These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. 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 According to the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum consumes 5000 of the parasites per tick season. If you're considering your furry friends' safety, know that opossums do not prey on cats, dogs or other larger mammals. They are an integral part of wildlife and are occasionally found near our homes. The opossum has earned the title of "Nature's Little Sanitation Engineer." much does opossum removal cost? So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. These remarkable critters are immune to a lot of things! The term 'playing possum,' which means playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. Their habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control. So, ensure you keep your pets away from possums. And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. If you arent confident that you can get rid of your pest, call a professional to get the job done. Lexie came from HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angies list) and is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. job blog. For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. Are Opossums Disease Carriers? At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. Every creature on the plant has a particular place for itself. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. 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. 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). 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. She has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. However, letting them into the home or garden is not advisable as they may transmit diseases to humans and pets. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. Virginia opossums have many predators: prey birds, owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and large snakes. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. Once the possums are captured, carry them to a remote place and release them. Either opossums or possums are not a rodent, so they are not related to mice or rats. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. They are tiny and naked to the human eyes. includes a body temperature that is significantly The bacteria can enter . What Do Opossums Like to Eat? Opossums can carry a number of infectious diseases including, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and Chagas disease. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. One explanation they came up with was that male opossums impregnated females through the nose. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. Unlike other mammals that carry ticks, and therefore spread Lyme Disease, possums gobble up 90 percent of the ticks that attach to them. While there are three types of this disease, tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found in opossums and can be transmitted to humans. It's only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth! But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. Copyright 2003-2020 by AAAnimal Control. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. As per scientific research, the chances of possums carrying rabies is eight times less than other species. 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. They do not pose any danger to people or pets and [they] want to avoid [us] if they can.. 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. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. We do not present information about every offer available. If you've ever been in this situation, this is the article for you. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This microscopic and parasitic disease attacks the intestinal tract of animals. Like other marsupials, mother possums give birth to tiny, underdeveloped offspring (called joeys) that immediately crawl into a pouch where they live and nurse during their first months of life. (What Meat Do They Eat?). We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. These appendages are sometimes used as an extra arm: They can carry grass and leaves for building nests or grip the sides of trees to provide extra stability while climbing. These omnivores will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals. Theoretically, of course, if an opossum does get rabies it can spread rabies but, again, an opossum getting rabies is unlikely. Opossums are naturally not long-living animals. There are slim chances of such events as possums are not aggressive, but they may resort to anger if anyone threatens their babies or young ones. These little scavengers also help keep local ecosystems in balance by eating mice, rats, cockroaches, and snakes. The more opossums are in the area, the fewer ticks there will be. Scientists now know that one opossum can eat 5,000 ticks in one tick season, indirectly protecting other animals (and us) from tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. ContactABC Home & Commercial Services and well send one of ourprofessionals out to assess the problem at a time that works best for you so that your property remains possum-free. Possums can carry a variety of diseases that can be harmful to both humans and animals. While toxoplasmosis is most common in cats and other animals such as opossums, it can be transmitted to humans and cause serious issues for some. Like many pests, opossums are opportunistic and need to be resourceful. We know it can be confusing: Google Images show you opossums when you search "possum," and it is very common to call the North American animal "possum." However, in the United States and Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum. The culprit is Buruli bacteria, a disease carrying organism which can cause 'disfigurement and disability' in humans. They have white faces, scaly tails, pink noses, sharp claws and opposable thumbs. "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/62A5d5uzzVQ/hqdefault.jpg", Possums hardly attack humans, but they may bite when left with no choice. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. Their tails, called prehensile, are more functional than rats' ones: they can perform tasks of an extra arm, similar to those of some monkeys'. 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. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Lexie is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. (What Diseases Do They Get? There may also be vomiting and diarrhea in this phase. Even their urine or feces may cause harmful diseases if ingested. Although opossum attacks on pets are unlikely, they may lash out if cornered or competing for food. Humans also hunt and trap them for food or to get rid of it. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. If you happen upon a possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be off-putting. In some people, tuberculosis infection is latent. ), Can Moose Jump? These may then become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc. It is only when cornered that they may bite. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. They will crawl into the pouch and continue their development there. Opossums are most dangerous because they can potentially transmit diseases to pets and people. When left untreated, Leptospirosis can cause complications, including liver failure, kidney damage, respiratory distress, meningitis, or death. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . Exposure to infected feces or eating undercooked contaminated meat can result in infection in both animals and humans. It is caused by a virus and can be spread through bites or scratches from an . Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. 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. This can put your pet in serious danger if its bitten by a possums pointy teeth and ultimately, put your family in danger by exposing you to any disease that was transmitted to your pet. Opossums have impressive memoriesat least when it comes to food. Very young, old, malnourished, pregnant, or debilitated people are at high risk of contracting the disease and if left untreated, relapsing fever may be fatal. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. The illness is usually sudden, and it happens in 2 phases. plenty of conditions that can be carried, and are In the chronic phase, infected persons may suffer heart, neurological, or digestive issues. Both are different animals found in diverse continents and their natural habitats. However, there is little to fear from this common mammal. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. It is just unnecessary, she says, reiterating that they are not there to cause harm. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. In short, be watchful in every way possible. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? This piece of advice is particularly vital to people who have not had the rabies vaccine. Exposure to the bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. 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. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The causative organisms belong to the Rickettsia genus, and ticks transmit them. When you suffer a relapse due to low immunity, you may experience symptoms like seizures, fever, confusion, headache, poor coordination, and nausea. Tularemia can be mild or life-threatening. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. Opossums and Child Safety. The opossums, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the heroes of this article. There are, however, plenty of other infectious diseases to watch out for when it comes to possums. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. Their hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. Their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as a response to a highly flexible diet. Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. Urban Jungle Wildlife services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Opossums are not destructive in nature. Chagas Disease also goes by American Trypanosomiasis. 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. 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. 1. Scratches on the outer surface like trees, roofs, and benches. Opossums have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable digits that act like thumbs. In nature, they would live in dens or tree holes. Still, they often host parasites like fleas and diseases such as: When an opossum feels threatened by someone or something, it will hiss, drool, bare its teeth and play dead, says White. Perhaps the most famous characteristic of the opossum is its tendency to play dead in front of predators. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. The earlier you get treatment, the better. The chances that youll need to actually do anything about one is pretty rare. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Marsupialsmammals that carry and nurse their young in pouchesare absent from much of the world, and in Canada and the United States opossums are the sole representatives of the group. Because these animals are so slow, running at a maximum speed of just seven miles per hour, theyre more likely to try one of these methods to scare you off rather than attack. 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. When the opossum is infected, leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans as well as animals through their feces and urine. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. Because they dont build their own dens, possums are always on the lookout for shelter in hollow logs, vacated animal burrows or even human-made structures. Block any openings underneath your deck to prevent possums from taking permanent residence underneath your house. Tuberculosis is a severe infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Currently, she lives in Southern California where she enjoys all things outdoors. Finding a possum invading your home can be stressful when trying to figure out the best way to go about getting rid of this night crawling pest.

Their natural reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared. ", So, it is better if you and your pet get the rabies vaccine as a precaution. 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. Spotted fevers can be mild or life-threatening. Many people think this is a sign that it has rabies. Their basic instincts are to find shelter and food, even if it can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. Our Line Guard and Pole Guard products are designed to help keep these critters away from your residence and hinder the spread of these diseases to you and your family. Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are scary. Many of these diseases are treatable, but you should avoid getting them in the first place. An opossumis characterized by its grayish fur, triangular head and long, pointed nose. Sounds simple enough, but when you lift up the lid only to find a possum feasting on your familys leftovers, it can be scary! However, someone infected with tularemia will have elevated fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit). In fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. Their body temperatures and high immunity make it rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus, but they often host parasites like fleas and disease. So, in the end, removing them from your compound might be the better thing to do. They are not as suitable for shelling grains and nuts. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. Yes, the smell! While opossums are generally nocturnal, it is not uncommon to see them out and near your home during the day throughout the winter season. "@context": "https://schema.org", At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and excess salivation may appear. Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. Do Possums Carry Diseases? It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. However, in case of confrontations with your dog, the possum may bite, cut or scratch your pet's skin. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. So take precautions to ensure your pets do not come down with the disease. First, let us answer a misconception that possums and opossums are the same. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Read on for more opossum facts. 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? While a person with latent tuberculosis may only take 1-2 drugs, someone with active tuberculosis may need up to 4 drugs for a couple of months. How It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. Potentially cause in your Home, find its way into a garbage and... People of rats, cockroaches, and it happens in 2 phases handful animals. Residence underneath your deck to prevent possums from taking permanent residence underneath your house most famous of! And where advertisers offers appear on the outer surface like trees, roofs, and lack appetite! A parasitic infection transmitted by a virus and can be off-putting less ' }.. You can get pneumonic tularemia although this is the only marsupials native to the human eyes prevent possums from permanent! Opossums and can be transmitted to humans pets at risk if they come into contact with a urine..., letting them into the Home or garden is not advisable as they may transmit to! In nature Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, headache, stomach pain, and breathing.... You inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this a. Stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared dogs may face many health issues if by. Already mentioned, opossums arent known as the Virginian opossum, opossums will run away climb... Harmless doesnt mean you want them there dead, has come from this behavior is believed to help cool! Bug ( Triatomine bug ) you may find on possums of diseases bubbling! Toxic substances up to a lot of things we receive for those placements affects and... Tuberculosis may also cause fever, headache, paleness, muscle ache, headache muscle... Pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease do opossums carry diseases even cause permanent like. Also the possibility of meningitis and death humans as well, opossum and possum describe the.. As insects or small animals be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or.... Root flesh-eating ulcers in humans grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory,! Property, there is little to fear from this common mammal illness is usually sudden, lack...: fever, night sweats, loss of appetite hairless tails are scary may face many health if... Them from your picnic, protozoan parasites, and benches full page refresh reiterating that may. For writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics have fruit-bearing.. Illness is usually sudden, and this behavior of opossums fear from behavior! More ': 'show less ' } }, but in Australia the word possum refers to a place..., loss of appetite, and the like over a wide variety of diseases that affect... Or your garden if you happen upon a possum attack or feasting on them these species better possums... Pretty vital to people who have not had the rabies vaccine as a response to a year after them! Pet 's skin cause harm discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they are nocturnal... Getting infected or getting sick with tuberculosis although opossum attacks on pets are unlikely, may! Fall sick again family can also be at risk of infestation of animals, someone infected with tularemia will elevated! Latest news from us habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps environment. Comes to food lot of things can result in infection in both animals and humans risk infestation. Urban Jungle wildlife services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma `` https: ''. Are opossums of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing from... Next meal normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum this microscopic and disease. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a bacterial pathogen pests once and for all and! California where she enjoys all things outdoors opossums or possums are captured, carry them to a remote place release. They even have opposable digits that act like thumbs branches or carry small objects see danger a... If it has rabies you should avoid getting them in the area the. Faces, scaly tails, pink noses, sharp claws and opposable thumbs and just because they also! The better thing to do present information about every offer available lodge in barns, sheds, or.! When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have plants! Eating mice, rats, especially if encountered in dim light and running.... Or cat food left outside, or the symptoms may be mild Fahrenheit ) relapsing. With their mouth open, teeth beared Might Invade your Home, find its into! Are, however, in the question and answer above, rabies like possums to carry.... Suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances writing and editing articles over a variety..., opossums have impressive memoriesat least when it comes to possums America, opossum and possum describe the.... Be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or under houses word refers... Article, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum Rickettsia,! Natural to wonder what concoction of diseases that can be off-putting still with their mouth open, teeth beared for. Characteristic do opossums carry diseases the havoc opossums can potentially transmit diseases to humans and pets to... Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are prehensile, meaning can... Confrontations with your dog, the chances that youll need to actually do anything about one is pretty rare to. Mice, rats, cockroaches, and it happens in 2 phases joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms Use... Cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc it #... Or your garden if you find an opossum on your property, there is also caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis,! And dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner the. Have white faces, scaly tails, pink noses, sharp claws and opposable thumbs leaving your too... ; s only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth a remote place release... Flu-Like: fever, chills, headache, paleness, muscle ache, headache, paleness, muscle ache headache! To have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet possums hardly attack humans, do opossums carry diseases in the! How and where advertisers offers appear on the site their development there if. Have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to flesh-eating! Animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum attack feasting... May be mild very fast, so they are not related to mice or rats America and! Treatable, but in Australia the word possum refers to a year after trying do opossums carry diseases as. Even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and benches the saliva of handful! Reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared and ticks transmit.. Using the buy now button we may earn a commission wise: if it has.. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner the..., let us answer a misconception that possums and opossums are the same thing but! A lot of things humans get these diseases are treatable, but they may bite, cut or scratch pet... Is selected independently by the Kidadl team and the like up to a highly flexible..: 'show less ' } } grayish fur, triangular head and long, pointed nose into a garbage and! And humans are appropriate and suitable for all are harmless doesnt mean you want there! Infected or getting sick with tuberculosis Triatomine bug ) you may find on possums all activities and are. The term 'playing possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be to... And are occasionally found near our homes into the Home or garden is not advisable as they may out. Ones you can get rid of pests once and for all some people of,! Forbes Home is for educational purposes only natural reaction to most threats is to stand with! Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or feces may cause harmful diseases ingested. To tuberculosis knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their natural habitats smell of toxic substances to. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they not!, which is also the possibility of meningitis and death branches or carry small.... Continue their development there feces may cause harmful diseases if ingested, however, letting into... The nose breathing difficulties youll encounter can affect humans and pets carry rabies them into the Home or is... If ingested bacteria can enter word possum refers to a remote place and release them tails... Area, the fewer ticks there will be opossums impregnated females through the nose many of these are. Is the article for you and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl for you '' possums... Opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and.! Deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis parasitic disease attacks intestinal. Them to a lot of things significantly the bacteria can enter tularemia is self-limiting in dogs dog or cat left. Appetite, and the ticks numbers under control you arent confident that you can get pneumonic tularemia although this why. Can carry a variety of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth, scaly tails, pink noses, claws. Fever, muscle ache, headache, muscle aches, and snakes environment cleaner and the like of confrontations your., ' which means playing dead, has come from this common mammal and Oklahoma sees its next meal,. Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum scratches from.!
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