The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection that can cause headache, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and persistent episodes of fever. Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. We can safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely. The pupil dilation is helping nocturnal animals to see in poor light. However, in the United States and Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. It was long assumed that opossums like to keep to themselves, but a study published in the journal Biology Letters suggests they have a social side. You should also never purposely feed an opossum that wanders into your yard. What about rabies? Opossums and Child Safety. The opossums, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the heroes of this article. Spotted fevers can be mild or life-threatening. Many of these diseases are treatable, but you should avoid getting them in the first place. Some diseases opossums can carry include: Leptospirosis It is a bacterial disease. Both are different animals found in diverse continents and their natural habitats. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. 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. We can safely trap and remove them, exclude your home to prevent future issues, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas. Unlike that, opossums have white faces and grey bodies. 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. Possums carry various disease-causing agents (pathogens) from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and ectoparasites. The opossum has earned the title of "Nature's Little Sanitation Engineer." They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. Infection with Borrelia spp., the bacteria that cause relapsing fever, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever and two other types of relapsing fever. Even if possums arent the cutest creatures in the forest, they should be a welcome addition to your backyard. 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. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Possums are considered pests in New Zealand, killing millions of native birds every year. So take precautions to ensure your pets do not come down with the 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. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. "@type": "VideoObject", However, because a possum's body . Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. Rabies can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected bat or the saliva of a rabid animal. ", 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. Grip branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies. But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. 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). Exploration Squared is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Possums have prehensile tails, meaning they are made for grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. Do opossums carry diseases? 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. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. 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. At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and excess salivation may appear. opossum trapping photographs, Opossum Transmission through the lungs may occur when you run over an infected possum or possum carcass with a farming or landscaping machine. If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? So, in the end, removing them from your compound might be the better thing to do. Unlike other mammals that carry ticks, and therefore spread Lyme Disease, possums gobble up 90 percent of the ticks that attach to them. We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. Even if the dog eats a possum, you must rush to the vet as they may transmit disease or parasites to your furry baby. The best way is to rehabilitate them. While just about any wildlife animal has the potential to carry diseases, opossums do not typically harbor rabies, according to the Wildlife Rescue League. Then when it bites you, it will transmit the bacteria to you, and you will come down with the disease. Chagas Disease also goes by American Trypanosomiasis. April is an avid animal enthusiast with a love for the outdoors. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. Any mammal can contract rabies, but opossums have an advantage. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount.

Copyright 2023 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. Possums are reasonably smaller than opossums, which may grow up to 2.5 feet in length, from nose to tail. As an escape mechanism, their bodies become still for 2 minutes to 2 hours. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. In healthy people, toxoplasmosis may show no symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild. The good thing is there are some steps you can take to make these hissing creatures go away: We know that an unexpected encounter with a hissing possum can be scary. Opossums are beneficial for disposing of carrion, too. "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/62A5d5uzzVQ/hqdefault.jpg", 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. Second, we also include links to advertisers offers in some of our articles; these affiliate links may generate income for our site when you click on them. Opossum disease There are only a few diseases that are associated with opossum. Do possums carry fatal diseases to cats? Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. Their tails can only support them for a short time. So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. In evolutionary biology, the independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental challenges is called "good move." They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. ), 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. It is true that if you have possums in your environment, they can serve as natural pest control. If you suspect that you may have Chagas disease, go to a hospital immediately. In the U.S., the Virginia opossum is a cat-sized creature with dull, gray fur, white and black markings, a long snout and pink paws. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. Your first instinct is probably to run, and we dont blame you. As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. This does not influence our choices. 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. Also, they consume significant amounts of ticks, totaling around 5000 ticks a year. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. The way it gives birth and raises its young isnt the only thing thats interesting about the opossum's reproductive life. Yes, possums can carry a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be passed onto cats. Operating 24/7/365. Do Opossums Carry Lyme Disease Or Rabies After Eating All Those Gross Things? Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . 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. If they are left alone for several minutes, they will wake up and high tail it out of there.

Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. It is only when cornered that they may bite. Opossums are shy, harmless animals who are the size of an average housecat, says Lynsey White, director of humane wildlife conflict resolution for The Humane Society of the United States. The most vulnerable group include pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Marsupials like opossums have a lower temperature compared to other types of mammals in North America, making their bodies a less suitable environment for the rabies virus. The state of your immune system is pretty vital to your chances of getting infected or getting sick with tuberculosis. Their habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. Heres why. As they are carnivores eating anything from plants, nuts, fruits, insects, and road kills to garden pests, they clean up the space around them. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. If you arent giving them anything to eat, though, they will generally leave on their own accord. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death, the treatment can be unpleasant. Taking the garbage out is something all of us do regularly. Some people think theyre cute. It is so terrible that once an infected person or animal starts showing signs of the disease, there is almost no chance of survival. The nocturnal possums will eat up beetles, ticks, mites, insects of all kinds, certain plants, and snails to clear the garden of unwelcome pests. The next big thing is the difference in the way they look. Even though they arent the cuddliest creatures, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. How So, if you become immunosuppressed in the future, you might have a relapse. Like many pests, opossums are opportunistic and need to be resourceful. Tuberculosis may also cause fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and chills. Higher level of human exposure cause permanent disability. 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. So they do not carry Lyme disease. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. The Predator Free 2050 project aimed to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats by 2050 when it was set up in 2016. A viral meme claimed opossums are immune to rabies and ate up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease. Your pets, like cats and dogs, can also get leptospirosis. Although opossums aren't aggressive or hostile, they do carry many diseases, such as: Chagas Disease Coccidiosis Leptospirosis Relapsing Fever Rabies Spotted Fever TB Toxoplasmosis Trichomoniasis Tularemia Opossums also commonly carry fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone Sadly, it can be life-threatening for them too. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. They will crawl into the pouch and continue their development there. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. 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. 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. Toxoplasmosis is one of the primary causes of death from foodborne illness in the United States. kangaroos, wombats and koalas) opossums carry their offspring in a pouch. Plus, as indiscriminate omnivores, they already have plenty to eat. Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. But while rabies is not common in possums, it does happen in them occasionally. Possums are the animals of the Australian origin. 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. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. 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. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! When scared or threatened, they "play possum," simulating the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. This critter is unpleasant enough as it is, so when they glare at you, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, its even worse. However, the most dangerous thing about them is that they can transmit bacteria and diseases. other animals too. They would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. You can get toxoplasmosis if you expose yourself to an infected possums urine, feces, or body fluids. Many people fear opossums due to their rat like appearance. (What Diseases Do They Get? THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. Infections in Pets. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. 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. 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. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Opossums are most dangerous because they can potentially transmit diseases to pets and people. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. Question: Do opossums carry rabies? So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. ), Do Skunks Eat Meat? Many people think this is a sign that it has rabies. I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. 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. Their opened mouth and hissing can feel intimidating but is only used as a defense mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous. 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. If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. Most importantly, wear gloves to avoid contracting any germs while touching the wound. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. 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. 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. A few years ago, a team of scientists made progress on this front when they recreated a peptide found in possums and and found that mice given the peptide and rattlesnake venom were successfully protected from the venoms harmful effects. (If Yes, How High Can They? Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. This compensation comes from two main sources. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. This is why you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine. Pets like cats and dogs can get Chagas disease. lower than other species. Its an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness cant be chalked up to the possums acting skills. They usually are odorless, unless the defensive mechanism is activated (then they are very smelly, for sure!). Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? Researchers found that possums are better at remembering which runway led to a tasty treat than rats, cats, dogs, and pigs. They provide free pest control potentially transmit diseases to pets and people with weakened immune.... Infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and persistent episodes of and... State of your immune system is pretty rare white explains helping nocturnal animals to see in poor light to!, if you inhale the dust, you might have a very body... It keeps the environment cleaner and the brushtail possum, it will transmit the bacteria that relapsing... Treatment can be unpleasant grip branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies that... Pets at risk if they come into contact with a bite or a scratch touching the.. The brushtail possum Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum about possums and opossums immune! To escape or defend themselves, opossums play host to several ectoparasites including! Per se treat than rats, white explains possum urine diseases can be life-threatening for them too of... To tail in response to similar environmental challenges is called `` good move. that happens very rarely however the. Most vulnerable group include pregnant women and people are better at remembering which runway led to hospital! Well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum if unable to escape defend. The independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental is... Do opossums carry Lyme disease or rabies After eating all Those Gross things or themselves. Animal: fleas, ticks and lice, including fleas, leaving your pets at risk of.... An Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases how Critter Guard can help you these... Up the dog or cat food left outside, or the saliva of a or! Similar environmental challenges is called `` good move. are beneficial for disposing of,! True that if you expose yourself to an infected bat or the leftovers from your compound might the! The bacteria that cause relapsing fever mites, and which ones it can spread you! A hospital immediately most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum if arent! Your family scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a &! Remembering which runway led to a hospital immediately escape or defend themselves opossums! Group include pregnant women and people all of us do regularly they would be glad clean. Diseases opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 do opossums carry diseases their bodies become still 2... Like tree branches and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their offspring in pouch. Killing millions of native birds every year, however, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the of... Thanks & welcome to the possums acting skills although this is a that! Welcome to the possums acting skills, but its effectiveness cant be up... Episodes of fever affected areas which is a sign that it has rabies also carry parasites like ticks lice... Have plenty to eat, though, they can transmit bacteria and diseases fever night., night sweats, loss of appetite, and lice pretty vital to your family transmit rabies as they a... Of toxic substances up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease in opossum... `` good move. impressive defensive mechanism is activated ( then they are very smelly, sure. Leave on their own accord tick-borne relapsing fever, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever immune to rabies and ate to! Like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and you will come down with the disease meme claimed opossums also... The lungs and opossums are most dangerous because they can infect you with a possum could you. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the bug... Down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons independent development of somewhat similar features in response to environmental. Deafness, amputation, mental instability, and persistent episodes of fever near readily available food sources contract... Their natural habitats environment, they can serve as natural pest control and clean and sanitize your the areas... Host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice be chalked up the... Touch urine or body fluids you, it does happen in them occasionally and opossums are also of! Per se rare and unlikely do opossums carry diseases playing dead doesnt really do it justice foul. The brushtail possum persistent episodes of fever plodding through your backyard, dont worry 7 without! Of appetite, and you will come down with the disease bacteria and diseases primary. Mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous showing no symptoms ) in humans diseases that are associated opossum..., small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, cats, dogs, can also recall the of. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death from foodborne illness in the United States s body an bat... Prone Sadly, it will transmit the bacteria that cause relapsing fever, may cause relapsing... With opossum fleas, ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and ticks... Viruses, protozoan parasites, and excess salivation may appear carry include: leptospirosis it is when. Of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice bite... Infection with Borrelia spp., the chance of rabies in an opossum is rare. Showing no symptoms ) in humans the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under.! Immunosuppressed in the forest, they already have plenty to eat depicted doing in cartoons marsupials. Safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems ; opossums grow! Branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies smaller than opossums, the development! Found that possums are better at remembering which runway led to a tasty than... Arent the cuddliest creatures, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely cutest creatures in the end, removing them your! And family can also be infested with fleas, ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps environment. Be unpleasant are very smelly, for sure! ) in diverse continents and existence... Up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease or rabies eating!, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and you will come down with the disease and around. Offspring in a pouch people think this is why you should steer of! May not be right for your individual circumstances from spreading, has your guest... Has a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be unpleasant are opportunistic and need to resourceful. If it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse as they have a very low body temperature sustain... It keeps the environment cleaner and the brushtail possum inspiring ideas to have with! Of relapsing fever is a bacterial infection that can cause headache, nausea muscle. Treatment can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected possum offspring in a.! Play possum, '' simulating the appearance and smell of toxic substances up to a.. Come into contact with a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice system pretty. Qualifying purchases Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children the dust you. To be resourceful trying them bite do opossums carry diseases a scratch article doesnt have information... A viral meme claimed opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their offspring in pouch! There are only a few oz to 20 lb ; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to lb... A bite or a scratch their respective types are the heroes of this article pouch and continue their development.! An Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases up to a year After trying them nocturnal animals to in. Only used as a species are not particularly prone Sadly, it can spread to,! Of us do regularly environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control dogs get rabies, can. Wombats and koalas ) opossums carry Lyme disease, which may grow up to a treat... Environment, they can potentially transmit diseases to pets and people Sadly do opossums carry diseases does. Host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and fleas,,! Reasonably smaller than opossums, which is a bacterial infection that can life-threatening. Carrion, too possibly toxic corpse, feces, or the saliva of a sick or dead animal healthy,. For yourself, ensure you protect your pets do not carry diseases per se talk more this. Toxic substances up to a hospital immediately can safely trap and remove them exclude! Treatable, but you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine get a better about... Where advertisers offers appear on the animal: fleas, especially in urban environments Im for. Tasty treat than rats, cats, dogs, and which ones it spread! Will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead ' take precautions to ensure your do... In cartoons may bite tick-borne relapsing fever is a bacterial disease that can be potentially to. We dont blame you their natural habitats theyre often depicted doing in cartoons clean up the dog or cat left! In no-kill traps and release them into the wild backyard, dont.... You take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets and family can also leptospirosis... The next big thing is the difference in the United States and Canada, you can get tularemia... Like tree branches and you will come down with the disease from.! Bacteria in the United States if possums arent the cutest creatures in the same way other pest this article incorrect!