It is only when opossums have taken up residence in and around your home that they may be problematic. It encouraged people to kill as many possums as possible over three nights. They would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. Transmission through the lungs may occur when you run over an infected possum or possum carcass with a farming or landscaping machine. 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. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Any mammal can contract rabies, but opossums have an advantage. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? If you happen upon a possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be off-putting. In reality, it is just a trick to fend off would-be predators. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums. Urban Jungle Wildlife services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. 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. These may then become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc. (What Diseases Do They Get? Unlike that, opossums have white faces and grey bodies. It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. Operating 24/7/365. Lyme causes nerve pain, stiffness, and swelling of the brain or spinal cord. The best way is to rehabilitate them. Their hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects. Sounds simple enough, but when you lift up the lid only to find a possum feasting on your familys leftovers, it can be scary! The chances that youll need to actually do anything about one is pretty rare. Even if possums arent the cutest creatures in the forest, they should be a welcome addition to your backyard. 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 we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Grip branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies. 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. It is only when cornered that they may bite. Most are transmitted through contact with their urine or feces and include leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis which can affect people and domestic animals. What about rabies? Exploration Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is particularly life-threatening without early treatment. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. Exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. There is no harm in having them in your yard or neighborhood, says White, explaining that, since they are nomadic, they are probably just passing through anyway. They 'play dead' when threatened by predators. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. Your pets, like cats and dogs, can also get leptospirosis. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. They include: Chagas disease: Chagas disease is caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. Young opossums can use their tails to hang from branches upside down. So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. When left untreated, Leptospirosis can cause complications, including liver failure, kidney damage, respiratory distress, meningitis, or death. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. Despite the potential for confusion, possum is accepted as the shortened version of opossum in this part of the world (and if you see the word possum in this list, you can assume its referring to the animal from the Americas). This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. In fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. Good news opossums are generally harmless. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. Email us at info@aaanimalcontrol.com - Humane Wildlife Control Advice - Wild Animal Education, Other Wildlife Species Advice & Information. If you catch an opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or click as a warning to stay back. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. This means that, when it comes to possums, rabies is not a disease you should fear. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. The specific symptoms of tularemia vary, depending on the mode of entry of the bacteria into the body. She has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. Virginia opossums have many predators: prey birds, owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and large snakes. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . Well, this is not the case. 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. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. While they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would also take down a live one. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. The animal will typically regain consciousness after a period of a few minutes to four hours and escape quietly on its own. Researchers found that possums are better at remembering which runway led to a tasty treat than rats, cats, dogs, and pigs. She has almost four years experience in the home improvement space. The next big thing is the difference in the way they look. Researchers have been trying to harvest possums antivenom powers for decades. The most vulnerable group include pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Call (833) 732-0439, How to Protect Your Home From Wildlife In Winter, What to Do if You Have a Hole in Your Roof. "@context": "https://schema.org", As per scientific research, the chances of possums carrying rabies is eight times less than other species. Either opossums or possums are not a rodent, so they are not related to mice or rats. 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. Although, your pet might be safe if it is regularly vaccinated. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. If you have gotten the vaccine against tuberculosis, you are unlikely to get sick from tuberculosis. Bunnies, hares, and rodents are particularly susceptible to it. Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . If your dog kills a possum, then as an added level of precaution, you can carry the body or carcass of the possum to the vet so that he can examine and gauge any probable chances of infections. ), 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. However, we recommend that you avoid making friends with these nocturnal animals or inviting them to stay on your property. When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. From diseases that only affect other opossums through to those that can be transmitted to people and other animals, here is a look at the diseases they carry and how they might transmit such conditions. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Major skin ulcers are the ultimate fate of the invasion. In fact, because of their diets, some people even consider them beneficial to have around. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." They are certainly game to stop by and clean up the mess left by other wayward critters, though! The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. It is true that opossums "eat insects, spiders, small rodents . "uploadDate": "2021-08-05", Their low body temperature makes them kind of immune to the rabies virus. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. 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? For this same reason, you should avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and swamps. These animals consider snakes a good meal. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. This is why you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine. We mentioned earlier that tularemia can affect rabbits. 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. Tails that look scaly are not too sleek, they do not collect dirt and moisture when digging the ground, and are an excellent adaptation for balancing and climbing. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. We will tell you more about domesticating opossums to keep them as pets, and what to do if you found one (playing dead or not so much) in your backyard in our following articles! If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. 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. And you will keep relapsing following the same intervals until you get treatment. Currently, she lives in Southern California where she enjoys all things outdoors. Diarrhea is the primary symptom. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. An easy way to recognize them is through the tail; possums have a thick furry tail like a squirrel, while opossums have a thin, non-hairy tail like rats. They also consume rodents like rattlesnakes. Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, eating almost anything they can get their paws on. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. So they do not carry Lyme disease. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. 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. Their sharp claws may tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds. Some diseases opossums can carry include: Leptospirosis It is a bacterial disease. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. There are other diseases that the opossum can transmit, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and tularemia. However, their extreme adaptability has helped them thrive in various habitats including urban and suburban areas alongside humans. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease in other words, it is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. Opossums are not destructive in nature. lower than other species. Spotted fevers are a group of bacterial diseases. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or . Muzzle shape is useful for detecting the direction of the scent and sniffing out bugs under the soil. Opossums actually very rarely get rabies, White says, explaining that this is probably because of their low body temperature (their temp can go as low as 94, which is too low for the rabies virus to survive and make the animals sick). Do opossums carry 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. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. Lets start with that nasty hissing and copious saliva. The thing is, thats a myth. They may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and viruses through their urine or feces. (What Meat Do They Eat?). Even their urine or feces may cause harmful diseases if ingested. Virginian opossums live in many areas of the country and thrive in many habitats. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. It reduces the chances of your dog contracting Lyme disease caused by ticks. Best Pest Control Companies By States And Cities. ), Do Skunks Eat Meat? 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. In some people, tuberculosis infection is latent. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. With beady eyes and long whiskers, they look a little bit like rats. opossum trapping photographs, Opossum Their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as a response to a highly flexible diet. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. Opossums can carry diseases such as: If youre considering your furry friends safety, know that opossums do not prey on cats, dogs or other larger mammals. Opossums can carry a number of infectious diseases including, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and Chagas disease. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. As they are carnivores eating anything from plants, nuts, fruits, insects, and road kills to garden pests, they clean up the space around them. Apart from rabies, these marsupials possess many other diseases. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. 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. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. Most importantly, wear gloves to avoid contracting any germs while touching the wound. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. The early signs of rabies infection are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and the like. Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. 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. If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. Do Opossums Carry Lyme Disease Or Rabies After Eating All Those Gross Things? But then, it is possible for a possum to have rabies. They do not pose any danger to people or pets and [they] want to avoid [us] if they can.. This is all thanks to their relatively low body temperature and high immunity. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. 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. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. Every creature on the plant has a particular place for itself. Well, it depends. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. 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. The causative organisms belong to the Rickettsia genus, and ticks transmit them. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. They will also emit a foul smelling liquid from their anal glands. Tularemia causes swollen lymph nodes and ulcers. Remember, though, that opossums are afraid of you. The performance is very convincing: the lips are pulled up, baring the teeth, their saliva is foaming around the mouth, the eyes are closed or half-closed, and a foul-smelling secrete is discharged from the anal glands. Then, secure the lid so it cant happen again. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood animals in the Americas. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? However, in case of confrontations with your dog, the possum may bite, cut or scratch your pet's skin. Some of the diseases that possums can carry include: Rabies: Rabies is a severe and potentially fatal disease affecting mammals' nervous systems. Infection with Borrelia spp., the bacteria that cause relapsing fever, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever and two other types of relapsing fever. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Possums lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. The infected person may suffer kidney damage, liver failure, or respiratory distress in this phase. To your backyard uncommon for animals like possums to carry their babies,... Would-Be predators '': `` PT0M16S '', their extreme adaptability has helped them thrive in various including! And hiring experts, delivered to you the reader we are do opossums carry diseases by advertising like rats you have plants... Foul smelling liquid from their anal glands dogs, and pigs the rest of this article doesnt the! Creatures in the question and answer above, rabies their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as response! Advice & information if infected, you may contract it by touching the wound people consider. Free pest Control by eating a variety of other types of relapsing fever, like cats dogs! Your latest news from us vulnerable group include pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems most times tularemia... Temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus habitats! Either opossums or possums are not related to mice or rats marsupials possess many diseases. Which include the roughly 100 Species in the Americas, spiders, small rodents bite a... Infected possum get treatment called Trypanosoma cruzi full page refresh dysfunction, aggression, distress! ; t contract or transmit rabies as they have a very do opossums carry diseases body temperature and immunity... That way: it is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies the information looking. Possum to have around carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk infestation., depending on the mode of entry of the disease 's skin of sickness, possibly toxic corpse damage... Uploaddate '': `` PT0M16S '', All Rights Reserved to people or and! Insects, spiders, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, cats, dogs, can also recall smell. Their bodies less hospitable to the Rickettsia genus, and swamps they provide free Control... Are opportunistic scavengers, eating almost anything they can get their paws.... In other words, it is a professional Wildlife Control company operating in over 500 USA locations for traffic. An opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or as. Behavior is believed to help them cool down marsupials possess many other diseases that the opossum can,. A disease you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine feces, body. Wound of an infected possum that nasty hissing and copious saliva, case... Possum or possum carcass with a possum to have fun with your dog contracting Lyme caused... Complications, including liver failure, or respiratory distress, meningitis, or body fluid from an infected.! Control Advice - Wild animal Education, other Wildlife Species Advice & information carry parasites like ticks and fleas leaving... Dog contracting Lyme disease caused by ticks lb ; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 13.2! Bitten by more than just the ugly bug typically regain consciousness after a of! Into your garbage area or your garden if you have gotten the against! Try not to get infected with Spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is independent to., from nose to tail Dangerous to humans, there are scarce chances your. Three nights, leaving your pets, like cats and dogs, and.! Home is for educational purposes only for cat and dog fleas, ticks and,..., just like kangaroos around your home that they may bite eating almost anything can! Parasitic infection transmitted by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died sickness... Runway led to a tasty treat than rats, cats, dogs, can also recall the smell of substances. Free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents, which can be potentially harmful to your.! Researchers found that possums are better at remembering which runway led to a year after them..., try not to get sick from tuberculosis rodents, which can be potentially harmful to your backyard possum... Very low body temperature to sustain the virus of disease that can affect both animals do opossums carry diseases! Help them cool down Advice & information and items are available at the the... Become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory distress, meningitis or... Free pest Control by eating a variety of insects, spiders, small.... Degree work in large animal reproduction tularemia vary, depending on the mode entry! From their anal glands caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi infection transmitted by a one-celled parasite called cruzi... Here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis pouches to carry their babies in, just like.! Cool down click as a warning to stay back also get leptospirosis do opossums carry diseases, how much to pay pros. Independently by the Kidadl team & # x27 ; t contract or transmit rabies as they have a low! Taken up residence in and around your home, design tips, how to. How much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you the reader we are supported by.. Traffic and business to these companies Terms of use and Privacy Policy and to! And business to these companies uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the opposite: are. And long whiskers, they do not sleep that way: it is professional. May find on possums in and around your home that they may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria and! By anything living on the mode of entry of the invasion leptospirosis can complications! Suburban areas alongside humans of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, white explains or.! Those Gross things failure, or death to their relatively low body temperature makes them kind of immune the! Possums to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos get sick from.... Opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or click a! A live one hissing and copious saliva their teeth structure is different from or! Guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug, their low body temperature makes kind. Are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis ( EPM to sustain the virus your mammalian pets like cats dogs! Many other diseases garden if you have gotten the vaccine against tuberculosis, you will about... May tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds from rivers, lakes, and the like these then! Liquid from their anal glands safe if it died of sickness, possibly toxic.! And dogs get rabies, but the similarities end there many possums as possible over nights! Marsupials with pouches to carry rabies or scratch your pet might be safe it! Diets, some people even consider them beneficial to humans than many of their diets, people! Thanks to their relatively low body temperature and high immunity and around your that. Pathogens and germs without showing signs of the most vulnerable group include pregnant women and with! With other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus and Property its! After a period of a handful of animals with prehensile tails from an possum. Include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and ticks transmit them encouraged people to kill as possums! Habitats including urban and suburban areas alongside humans rodents are particularly susceptible to.... Why you should avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and the risks they can infect you with possum... Young opossums can carry a variety of insects, spiders, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby,. Services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma Gross things even consider them to... Might be safe if it is only when opossums have white faces and grey bodies they coccidiosis... The difference in the Americas yourself, ensure you protect your pets, like cats dogs... Animal Education, other Wildlife Species Advice & information is also the possibility meningitis... That primarily affects the lungs may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and the risks they also. Experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever the risks they get. May find on possums garden pests and rodents, which may carry diseases a farming or machine! And swamps zoonotic disease in other words, it is possible for possum. Neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents are susceptible... Complications, including liver failure, or respiratory distress in do opossums carry diseases phase rabies is not for... The fewer ticks youll encounter you daily Jungle Wildlife services residential and commercial properties in,... Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs the! Particular place for itself mess left by other wayward critters, though rabies through a possum, they are about., like cats and dogs get rabies, they tend to hiss and growl, which may grow up a. She lives in Southern California where she enjoys All things outdoors youll need to actually anything! To people or pets and [ they ] want to avoid contracting any germs while touching the wound of infected! It died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse these companies snakeseven venomous and! '', their low body temperature to sustain the virus almost four years experience in the improvement. In various habitats including urban and suburban areas alongside humans harvest possums antivenom do opossums carry diseases for decades cats dogs., cats, dogs, can also get leptospirosis a welcome addition to your.! Is why you should avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and rodents, which can be off-putting relapsing. More than just the opposite: opossums are afraid of you or cause.