Their natural reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared. The term 'playing possum,' which means playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums. How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. While possums are primarily found in Australia, New Guinea, China, New Zealand, and Sulawesi, the opossums are native species to North America and Southern Canada. Feeding by humans causes wildlife to congregate, potentially increasing the chance[s] of disease transmission among [humans and animals], says White. If frightened by your pet, the opossum will likely play dead or emit a horrible stench. However, on rare occasions, opossums may lash out if cornered or competing for food, so it is always best to watch your pets while they are outdoors. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. In reality, it is just a trick to fend off would-be predators. We can safely trap and remove them, exclude your home to prevent future issues, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas. 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 would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. sometimes transmitted by opossums to people and to Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. Some people think theyre cute. Toxoplasmosis occurs when infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. The scientists suspect that male and female possums living in the wild may even build nests together as a way to trigger the females reproductive hormones. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. The smelly substance it secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere. 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. The symptoms will stay around for some weeks or months, then disappear. The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. If they are left alone for several minutes, they will wake up and high tail it out of there.
Why Is Biodiversity Critical To Life On Earth? Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Every creature on the plant has a particular place for itself. Disease and the opossum. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. The main concern for pets is flea-borne typhus. It is so terrible that once an infected person or animal starts showing signs of the disease, there is almost no chance of survival. Like in other marsupials, babies are born underdeveloped, almost fetal stage. Opossum disease There are only a few diseases that are associated with opossum. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. Remember, though, that opossums are afraid of you. 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. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. 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." In evolutionary biology, the independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental challenges is called "good move." Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. While they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would also take down a live one. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nerves. In fact, because of their diets, some people even consider them beneficial to have around. There is never any additional cost to you. Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. Opossums can be tricky critters, and it is right to stay away from regardless whether or not they contain rabies. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! }. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. In one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same space. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. much does opossum removal cost? One explanation they came up with was that male opossums impregnated females through the nose. Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. They have impressive memories when it comes to food: better than rats or dogs. Opossums, just like any other wildlife species, can carry disease. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. 2015 Copyright Wildlife Removal USA | Web Design by: USA Opossum Removal Education Guide and Resources. Lets start with that nasty hissing and copious saliva. When pets come into contact with infected feces or ingest contaminated tissue, they are at risk of contracting coccidiosis. As they are carnivores eating anything from plants, nuts, fruits, insects, and road kills to garden pests, they clean up the space around them. Diseases that possums can give to cats include: Rabies: One disease that will be fatal to cats if untreated is rabies, this illness can be transferred from possum to cat. Exploration Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. What about rabies? As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. 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. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. 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. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. Possum may carry this parasite with them to your backyard or garden and it can transfer onto your dog. In fact, they are considered to be amongst most rabies-immune animals. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. In short, be watchful in every way possible. Sadly, it can be life-threatening for them too. The bacteria can enter . Its better to keep your family safe by driving these marsupials out in a manner that will sure to keep them from coming back. ), 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. "duration": "PT0M16S", Exposure to infected feces or eating undercooked contaminated meat can result in infection in both animals and humans. They also can cause damage as they burrow under sheds, decks and porches to build nests where they take shelter and raise their young. Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. Do not use traps, she adds. Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, joint aches, and muscle aches. The Predator Free 2050 project aimed to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats by 2050 when it was set up in 2016. 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). They are marsupials with a rats-like appearance, but there is a stark dissimilarity. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. creative tips and more. As previously stated, rabies is uncommon in possums, thanks to their low body temperature. Then when it bites you, it will transmit the bacteria to you, and you will come down with the disease. Opossums can, however, carry other diseases like tularemia, tuberculosis, spotted fever and toxoplasmosis. (If Yes, How High Can They? 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. However, someone infected with tularemia will have elevated fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. Both are different animals found in diverse continents and their natural habitats. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. 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