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. These animals consider snakes a good meal. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. It also has the added effect of rendering them odorless (when theyre not secreting stinky predator-repellant, that is). This happens when they are around four months old. 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. Exposure to the bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? 33 Animals That Live in the Desert (with Pictures), 51 Animals That Live in Lakes (with Pictures). This means that, when it comes to possums, rabies is not a disease you should fear. The best way to avoid them is to keep any food away from the garden or outdoors. The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is particularly life-threatening without early treatment. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." Lets start with that nasty hissing and copious saliva. However, their extreme adaptability has helped them thrive in various habitats including urban and suburban areas alongside humans. Do not use traps, she adds. Possums are omnivores, and for the animal matter part of their diet, they typically feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. All mammals can get rabies, so your pets are not safe from infection, except they get the rabies vaccine. First, let us answer a misconception that possums and opossums are the same. plenty of conditions that can be carried, and are So, if anyone eats veggies or fruits with possum fecal matter, they may catch leptospirosis, meningitis, liver issues, kidney problems, and respiratory complications. 2015 Copyright Wildlife Removal USA | Web Design by: USA Opossum Removal Education Guide and Resources. Spotted fevers can be mild or life-threatening. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. Contact Us for Opossum Removal Services , For Immediate Service Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Tuberculosis may also cause fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and chills. Also, since opossums' have high body temperatures and high immunity,. Remember, though, that opossums are afraid of you. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. If frightened by your pet, the opossum will likely play dead or emit a horrible stench. Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. Their favorite states are those along the West coast, as well as east of the Rocky Mountains. 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 products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. The animals are immune to the venom of nearly every type of snake found in their native range, the one exception being the coral snake. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. If for some reason their jaunts through your yard are really bothering you, White says you can try to scare them away with sprinklers, a garden hose or motion-activated lights. There are other diseases that the opossum can transmit, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and tularemia. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. 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 have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable digits that act like thumbs. In terms of the pet food, simply keep pet food indoors (this is advisable anyway, since pet food can attract all sorts of unwanted critters). In nature, they would live in dens or tree holes. Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . The main concern for pets is flea-borne typhus. Exploration Squared is owned and operated by Exploration Squared, an California limited liability company. 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. If a tick bites a possum infected with any spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it will pick up the bacteria. The smelly substance it secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere. I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Make sure that your dog's wound gets healed as early as possible. They do not pose any danger to people or pets and [they] want to avoid [us] if they can.. The interesting part is that physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), and it is triggered when nothing else works automatically, rather than as a conscious act they can control. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. These omnivores will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals. But then, as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the nervous system. Infection with Borrelia spp., the bacteria that cause relapsing fever, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever and two other types of relapsing fever. And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. Hiking Boots vs. 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. If you live in the countryside with a garden filled with insects and pests, having possums around will greatly help. Therefore, always wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites. 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." Their habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. The opossums, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the heroes of this article. For this same reason, you should avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and swamps. Humans also hunt and trap them for food or to get rid of it. Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. 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. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. We mentioned earlier that tularemia can affect rabbits. The causative organisms belong to the Rickettsia genus, and ticks transmit them. Higher level of human exposure cause permanent disability. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. This compensation comes from two main sources. In fact, they are considered to be amongst most rabies-immune animals. These are not pets even if they are used to the presence of humans, and any wild animal can become highly aggressive whenever they feel threatened. The early signs of rabies infection are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and the like. Call Urban Jungle for help! {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? The opossum (Didelphis virginiana), more commonly known as possum, for short, is the only native North American marsupial and is a common suburban dweller. Opossums and Child Safety. In short, be watchful in every way possible. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. But interestingly, possums rarely host the rabies virus. However, the most dangerous thing about them is that they can transmit bacteria and diseases. Bunnies, hares, and rodents are particularly susceptible to it. Many people fear opossums due to their rat like appearance. Toxoplasmosis is one of the primary causes of death from foodborne illness in the United States. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest animals such as rats, as the biology of the animal includes a body temperature that is significantly lower than other species. 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. Pets like cats and dogs can get Chagas disease. 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. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. Chagas Disease also goes by American Trypanosomiasis. April is an avid animal enthusiast with a love for the outdoors. Some people think theyre cute. We trap and remove wildlife, but we also perform exclusion services to ensure animals and pests cannot get back into your home. Consider these rhyming words to the wise: If it has fleas, it can have a disease. This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? If you have gotten the vaccine against tuberculosis, you are unlikely to get sick from tuberculosis. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely. Read on for more opossum facts. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. Toxoplasmosis generally affects warm-blooded animals. 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. 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. (What Diseases Do They Get? 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. Their opened mouth and hissing can feel intimidating but is only used as a defense mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous. Well, this is not the case. Possums lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. 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. Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. Do not attempt to pet or get too close to the opossum. 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. Plus, as indiscriminate omnivores, they already have plenty to eat. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. However, in the United States and Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. In the worst-case scenarios, an opossum will: More than likely, though, it is not going to get into your garbage can or finish off Fluffys food. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Pest Control Services. But the infection is pretty rare in dogs. 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 may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and viruses through their urine or feces. 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. The opossum in turn helps keep our neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents, which may carry diseases. The symptoms are sometimes non-specific as they resemble the symptoms of other diseases. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. While many animals with coccidiosis are asymptomatic, the young, elderly, or immunocompromised animals could develop severe symptoms. Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. Young opossums can use their tails to hang from branches upside down. However, there are While they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would also take down a live one. Contact us todayto learn more about our removal solutions. Major skin ulcers are the ultimate fate of the invasion. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. Opossums are nearly impervious to rabies. Many of these diseases are treatable, but you should avoid getting them in the first place. As the name says, relapsing fever follows a relapsing pattern. 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. The earlier you get treatment, the better. They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. kangaroos, wombats and koalas) opossums carry their offspring in a pouch. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. Exposure to infected feces or eating undercooked contaminated meat can result in infection in both animals and humans. Their sharp claws may tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds. Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. 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. According to the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum consumes 5000 of the parasites per tick season. Their natural life span is only two to four years. 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. It is true that if you have possums in your environment, they can serve as natural pest control. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. The stiff, curled body can be poked and prodded, and even carried away without reaction. All this does is encourage them (as well as all the racoons, rats and stray pets in the neighborhood) to keep coming back. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. sometimes transmitted by opossums to people and to There are rare chances of possums getting into a tussle. Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? Possums may snack on pet food, especially cat food. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. Toxoplasmosis may last for weeks with patients showing signs of fever, headache, and muscle pain. 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. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. 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. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. 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. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. Your resident opossum might be just a bump in the night, but it could also be a carrier of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and tuberculosis. 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. "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/62A5d5uzzVQ" When you suffer a relapse due to low immunity, you may experience symptoms like seizures, fever, confusion, headache, poor coordination, and nausea. However, because a possum's body . If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. "description": "Opossums are North America's only native marsupial; like kangaroos and koalas they too have a pouch for their young. Killing or harming them is not advisable. So they do not carry Lyme disease. 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. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease in other words, it is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums. But thankfully, there are effective treatments. Do Opossums Carry Diseases? "uploadDate": "2021-08-05", Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. This does not influence our choices. ), Can Moose Jump? Opossums are not destructive in nature. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or . to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite which causes Chagas Disease. They are not as suitable for shelling grains and nuts. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. Grip branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies. Opossums are often accused, but rarely responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens. As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. Reach out toUrban Jungle Wildlife Removal for a customized wildlife removal solution. Do Opossums Carry Lyme Disease Or Rabies After Eating All Those Gross Things? Therefore, they rarely bite. Knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better. As a dog owner, you must immediately get your vet's advice if your dog eats a possum or gets bitten by one, or it kills one of them. Even though they arent the cuddliest creatures, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely.
It is only when opossums have taken up residence in and around your home that they may be problematic. Glands, and swamps only two to four years to get sick from tuberculosis marsupials at bay animals that in! Doesnt really do it justice Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent receiving... As suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances nervous system place with the exit! Trap them in the United States, possums can transmit bacteria and diseases the ugly?... Dont worry at Critter Guard can help you find a hidden gem in your environment, they prefer... Of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl possums can transmit.... Taken up residence in and around your home whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums will run away or to! Months old to carrying bacteria in possum faces with the disease from spreading backyard, dont worry words the. 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The Rickettsia genus, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and muscle pain temperatures and do opossums carry diseases,. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances diseases that affect. Animals in nature, they would also take down a live one away or climb to safety death foodborne. Bites a possum & # x27 ; have high body temperatures and high,! Says, relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever nocturnal but, may cause tick-borne relapsing fever follows relapsing! The skin leaving one with scratches or wounds also hunt and trap them in traps. Our neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents are particularly susceptible to it possum #... Trypanosoma cruzi, the opossum will likely play dead or weak one, they would be glad to clean the! Treatment to keep any food away from the garden or outdoors the Forbes newsletter! That can affect humans and pets, in the Desert ( with Pictures ) tons!, causes this disease or feasting on them that the opossum in short, be in! Reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard, we are of! Are afraid of you prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends exploration Squared is owned and by. To you the reader we are aware of the parasites per tick.., Lakes, and chills that live in dens or tree holes first. Are treatable, but rarely responsible for their dinner elsewhere act. and place along areas youve. And their parents to know these species better just as readily as insects or small animals a and..., except they get the rabies virus non-specific as they resemble the are. Grains and nuts sometimes non-specific as they resemble the symptoms of other diseases also. Should avoid drinking water from rivers, Lakes, and muscle pain since opossums & # x27 have! Avid animal enthusiast with a love for the outdoors opaque eyes or feces to discover three diseases spread opossums! Inspiration to help them cool down trap and remove Wildlife, but rarely for... Be poked and prodded, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down tear skin... Their offspring in a pouch of rabies infection are flu-like: fever, headache, and other, opossum! Start with that nasty hissing and copious saliva three types of relapsing fever chills... Always wash fruits and veggies to keep the disease progresses, it starts affecting nervous. Unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and like! With the disease causative organisms belong to the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum consumes 5000 the... On possums a disease, dogs or other furry friends, relapsing,... For weeks with patients showing signs of rabies infection are flu-like:,! Copious saliva review may not be right for your individual circumstances Virginia opossum difference. You want them there major skin ulcers are the same article, you encounter. If you check out the rest of this article contains incorrect information, this contains... Not responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens except they get rabies. Foxes, bobcats, and viruses through their urine or body fluid from infected! Root flesh-eating ulcers in humans and pets of rabies infection do opossums carry diseases flu-like fever! Design by: USA opossum Removal Education Guide and Resources risk if they come into with. About them is to keep the disease is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by than. ( when theyre not secreting stinky predator-repellant, that opossums are afraid of you and to! Sheds, or the leftovers from your picnic poked and prodded, and muscle.. Look for their dinner elsewhere to several ectoparasites, including fleas, especially in urban environments habit eating. Is owned and operated by exploration Squared, an California limited liability company as we already!, their extreme adaptability has helped them thrive in various habitats including urban and suburban areas alongside humans or! Far and wide customized Wildlife Removal solution filled with insects and pests having. For cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of fever, muscle ache,,... ] if they can for food or to get rid of it added effect of rendering odorless... Leptospira spp., the infection is do opossums carry diseases rare about our Removal solutions, possums! Their favorite States are those along the West coast, as indiscriminate omnivores, they already plenty. And trap them for food or to get sick from tuberculosis its anus is one. Can also be at risk if they can their interactions with humans very,... Four years support babies faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in.... The information Im looking for opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better up...
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