The most vulnerable group include pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. We can safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. 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. This compensation comes from two main sources. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. Maybe you find them lovable, or maybe their pointy ears and toothy smirks churn your stomach. Bring in your pets food bowls before nightfall, since possums have a good sense of smell and will eat your pets food if thats its only option. Operating 24/7/365. The nocturnal possums will eat up beetles, ticks, mites, insects of all kinds, certain plants, and snails to clear the garden of unwelcome pests. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. When it comes to opossums, you can be at peace knowing that these animals are typically docile. There are, however, plenty of other infectious diseases to watch out for when it comes to possums. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. But then, as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the nervous system. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Opossums are nearly impervious to rabies. These remarkable critters are immune to a lot of things! much does opossum removal cost? Both are different animals found in diverse continents and their natural habitats. Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite which causes Chagas Disease. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. 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. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. Most importantly, wear gloves to avoid contracting any germs while touching the wound. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. 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). 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. They can eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, and grains. All you really need to do is make sure there is an accessible exit route. More commonly, opossums play dead or emit a horrible stench if frightened. 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. You can get toxoplasmosis if you expose yourself to an infected possums urine, feces, or body fluids. 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. Also, since opossums have high body temperatures and high immunity, it is rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus. 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. 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. If a rabid possum (or animal) bites you, or if a suspected rabid animal bites you, get to a hospital immediately. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . How Exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. What about rabies? So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Diarrhea is the primary symptom. When scared or threatened, they "play possum," simulating the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy might lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or congenital diseases. Copyright 2023 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. 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 would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. If a tick bites a possum infected with any spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it will pick up the bacteria. Reach out toUrban Jungle Wildlife Removal for a customized wildlife removal solution. Your privacy is important to us. Theyre often thought of as dimwitted, dirty creatures whose most impressive trick is acting like roadkill. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. The first thing you should know is that this is a defense mechanism they use to protect themselves from potential predators. 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. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 5 Things You Should Know About: Central America, 5 Things You Should Know About: South America, Meet 12 Incredible Conservation Heroes Saving Our Wildlife From Extinction, India's Leopard God, Waghoba, Aids Wildlife Conservation In The Country, India's Bishnoi Community Has Fearlessly Protected Nature For Over 500 Years, Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest, In India's Sundarbans: Where People Live Face-To-Face With Wild Tigers, Africa's "Thunderbird" Is At Risk Of Extinction. "description": "Opossums are North America's only native marsupial; like kangaroos and koalas they too have a pouch for their young. How 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. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Opossums can be tricky critters, and it is right to stay away from regardless whether or not they contain rabies. Pets like cats and dogs can get Chagas disease. There are little or no chances of transmitting rabies to the dog, but other conditions like coccidiosis and tularemia may get transmitted. kangaroos, wombats and koalas) opossums carry their offspring in a pouch. Well, pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums. In short, be watchful in every way possible. Infection with Borrelia spp., the bacteria that cause relapsing fever, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever and two other types of relapsing fever. They will also emit a foul smelling liquid from their anal glands. Do opossums carry diseases? 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. These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. 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. Plus, as indiscriminate omnivores, they already have plenty to eat. Possums largely lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. This does not influence our choices. How Much Does A Home Security System Cost. Possums are friendly mammals that reach out to strangers without reservations, while opossums are more reserved. 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. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. The way it gives birth and raises its young isnt the only thing thats interesting about the opossum's reproductive life. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. 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. The best way to avoid them is to keep any food away from the garden or outdoors. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. 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. Opossums are not destructive in nature. Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. 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. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. A viral meme claimed opossums are immune to rabies and ate up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease. One explanation they came up with was that male opossums impregnated females through the nose. Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. Call (833) 732-0439, How to Protect Your Home From Wildlife In Winter, What to Do if You Have a Hole in Your Roof. So take precautions to ensure your pets do not come down with the disease. But while rabies is not common in possums, it does happen in them occasionally. 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. If you are pregnant, you should do all you can to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. Rabies is a viral disease . They are also typically rather timid, so unless they are cornered, opossums will likely hurry away to avoid a confrontation. 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. They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. The wound must be treated urgently to prevent further damage. Since do opossums carry diseases have high body temperatures and high immunity, it is right to away... Strangers without reservations, while opossums are more Reserved smirks churn your.... Rare for an opossum on your property, there are a do opossums carry diseases to. Side-By-Side with humans very fast, so unless they are cornered, opossums will likely hurry away avoid... First thing you should know is that this is a severe infection of living side-by-side with very... Should know is that this is a defense mechanism they use to protect themselves from potential predators both are animals! Thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely animal. 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