How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. 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. So, you may never know which possums to avoid. They will crawl into the pouch and continue their development there. Every creature on the plant has a particular place for itself. However, in case of confrontations with your dog, the possum may bite, cut or scratch your pet's skin. The early signs of rabies infection are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and the like. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. So, if you become immunosuppressed in the future, you might have a relapse. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . There are many resistant strains of tuberculosis. So, it is better if you and your pet get the rabies vaccine as a precaution. These instincts can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. 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. If you are pregnant, you should do all you can to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. Are Opossums Disease Carriers? 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. 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. This piece of advice is particularly vital to people who have not had the rabies vaccine. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. In short, be watchful in every way possible. The thing is, thats a myth. Maybe you find them lovable, or maybe their pointy ears and toothy smirks churn your stomach. The pups grow rapidly, but even after they are ready to leave the pouch, the mother will not leave them behind and will carry them on her back while she scavenges for a meal for about 100 days. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? ), Do Skunks Eat Meat? They are certainly game to stop by and clean up the mess left by other wayward critters, though! Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. First, let us answer a misconception that possums and opossums are the same. 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. Unlike other mammals that carry ticks, and therefore spread Lyme Disease, possums gobble up 90 percent of the ticks that attach to them. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. Do possums carry fatal diseases to cats? The animal will typically regain consciousness after a period of a few minutes to four hours and escape quietly on its own. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. We can safely trap and remove them, exclude your home to prevent future issues, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas. Call (833) 732-0439, How to Protect Your Home From Wildlife In Winter, What to Do if You Have a Hole in Your Roof. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. In some people, Chagas disease shows no symptoms. These omnivores will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. Yes, they could be. Possums are found in four colors black, gold, silver-grey, and brown. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Like humans, animals sometimes show no symptoms of leptospirosis. They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. Even if for some reason an opossum winds up entering your house (small ones occasionally through open doors, or dog and cat doors), you dont need to take any drastic measures because they are not there to cause a ruckus or attack you or your family. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. As the name says, relapsing fever follows a relapsing pattern. 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. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. 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. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. Hiking Boots vs. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids, except saliva), water, or soil. If you have kids in the house, safety is likely always top of mind. Lexie is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. For instance, if you discover an opossum in your garbage can, tip it on its side and leave the lid open so it can come out in its own time. Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. The opossums, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the heroes of this article. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. 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. Possums carry various disease-causing agents (pathogens) from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and ectoparasites. One example of a disease that has been transmitted from fleas on an opossum to humans is Murine Typhus. If you happen upon a possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be off-putting. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. They have impressive memories when it comes to food: better than rats or dogs. Possums clean up your garbage cans effortlessly. One thing to note is that possums carry some of these pathogens and germs without showing signs of the disease. Possums have no control over when they play dead or for how long they do it: The comatose-like state is an involuntary reaction triggered by stress. 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. This means that, when it comes to possums, rabies is not a disease you should fear. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. 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. 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. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. Transmitted through contaminated urine or other bodily fluids from an infected animal, this bacterial disease can impact humans and wildlife. If you live in the countryside with a garden filled with insects and pests, having possums around will greatly help. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. 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. Like in other marsupials, babies are born underdeveloped, almost fetal stage. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. They are marsupials with a rats-like appearance, but there is a stark dissimilarity. 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. to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest Toxoplasmosis generally affects warm-blooded animals. The stiff, curled body can be poked and prodded, and even carried away without reaction. Opossums can be tricky critters, and it is right to stay away from regardless whether or not they contain rabies. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. The earlier you get treatment, the better. They include: Chagas disease: Chagas disease is caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. Since you never know how a particular animal may react when threatened, its best to exercise caution around possums. 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. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. The smelly substance it secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. These remarkable critters are immune to a lot of things! While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. At this point the opossum is completely unaware of their surroundings, their bodies are completely limp, and they will be entirely unresponsive to any stimuli. We trap and remove wildlife, but we also perform exclusion services to ensure animals and pests cannot get back into your home. 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. As per scientific research, the chances of possums carrying rabies is eight times less than other species. Tularemia is highly transmissible. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Tuberculosis is a severe infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 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! They can eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, and grains. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? In nature, they would live in dens or tree holes. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? Their sharp claws may tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds. Do not attempt to pet or get too close to the opossum. We mentioned earlier that tularemia can affect rabbits. In some people, tuberculosis infection is latent. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Pest Control Services. What about rabies? Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. 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. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. To learn more about our products and how to keep opossums away from your environment, contact us today! The symptoms are sometimes non-specific as they resemble the symptoms of other diseases. This happens when they are around four months old. (What Diseases Do They Get? 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. Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. 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. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. Their low body temperature makes them kind of immune to the rabies virus. It's only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth! They help regulate the ecosystem in one way or other. The opossum (Didelphis virginiana), more commonly known as possum, for short, is the only native North American marsupial and is a common suburban dweller. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home, Find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, get stuck. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. 1. Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. The signs are similar to other creatures. But then, while they can be beneficial, possums may also pose a risk to your health. Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. Even though they arent the cuddliest creatures, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. When it comes to opossums, you can be at peace knowing that these animals are typically docile. (What Diseases Do They Get? The initial symptoms include vomiting, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. Its symptoms include protracted coughing, coughing up blood, weight loss, breathing difficulties, and chest pain. 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. Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone So, your pets can also get the infection, and it can cause death in severe cases. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death, the treatment can be unpleasant. Handle such events as emergencies and do visit a vet. Exploration Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Rabies can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected bat or the saliva of a rabid animal. The exaggerated pupil dilation is thought to help the nocturnal animals see after the sun goes down. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. Consider these rhyming words to the wise: If it has fleas, it can have a disease. Possum may carry this parasite with them to your backyard or garden and it can transfer onto your dog. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. The state of your immune system is pretty vital to your chances of getting infected or getting sick with tuberculosis. 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. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Possums have prehensile tails, meaning they are made for grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches. Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. The bacteria, Francisella tularensis, get into the body through the skin, mouth, eyes, and lungs. While there are three types of this disease, tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found in opossums and can be transmitted to humans. What Do Opossums Like to Eat? The opossum in turn helps keep our neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents, which may carry diseases. 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. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. Opossums can eat rats or mice if they can catch them. Pets like cats and dogs can get Chagas disease. Toxoplasmosis occurs when infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. 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. Their hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. Toxoplasmosis is one of the primary causes of death from foodborne illness in the United States. Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, joint aches, and muscle aches. They tend to have lower incidents of rabies than wild dogs and other pests, but they might carry: Leptospinosis Tuberculosis Relapsing fever Tularemia Spotted fever Toxoplasmosis Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. By allowing an opossum to stake a claim underneath your home or in your crawlspace, you could be exposing your living environment to contaminants that can harm you or your family. However, the parasites will remain in your body. 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. Therefore, they rarely bite. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. Question: Do opossums carry rabies? The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. When pets come into contact with infected feces or ingest contaminated tissue, they are at risk of contracting coccidiosis. They also like roadkill, and are known to eat ticks that they find in their own fur while grooming their bodies. Remember, though, that opossums are afraid of you. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Exposure to the bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease. Pets like cats and dogs can get spotted fever. Even if the dog eats a possum, you must rush to the vet as they may transmit disease or parasites to your furry baby. Knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better. It is because they often mistake the defensive behavior of opossums for a sign of rabies: the critter would hiss, drool, foam from the open mouth. Currently, she lives in Southern California where she enjoys all things outdoors. It is just heading to its den. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. While opossums are generally nocturnal, it is not uncommon to see them out and near your home during the day throughout the winter season. Your privacy is important to us. Tularemia causes swollen lymph nodes and ulcers. Their tails can only support them for a short time. These appendages are sometimes used as an extra arm: They can carry grass and leaves for building nests or grip the sides of. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely. Tularemia can be mild or life-threatening. 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. When the opossum is infected, leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans as well as animals through their feces and urine. This does not influence our choices. She has over five years of experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angies List). 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. There are rare chances of possums getting into a tussle. 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. Opossums are the unsung heroes in the fight against ticks and the Lyme disease they can transmit. If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. 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. Do not use traps, she adds. Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. The best way is to rehabilitate them. Possums are omnivores, and for the animal matter part of their diet, they typically feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. This compensation comes from two main sources. They also consume rodents like rattlesnakes. They are also typically rather timid, so unless they are cornered, opossums will likely hurry away to avoid a confrontation. If you arent giving them anything to eat, though, they will generally leave on their own accord. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. 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. Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal. Interestingly, having toxoplasmosis before pregnancy protects unborn children because mothers have developed immunity against the disease. 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. 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. 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. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. creative tips and more. Their habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control. They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. It reduces the chances of your dog contracting Lyme disease caused by ticks. Muzzle shape is useful for detecting the direction of the scent and sniffing out bugs under the soil. The fewer ticks youll encounter well as animals through their feces and urine carry some of these pathogens and without. Can potentially cause in your home, find its way into a tussle thanks to acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse... Grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches including Amazon guest been bitten by more than just the ugly?. Disease, tick-borne relapsing fever follows a relapsing pattern its own sanitize the. Around things like tree branches the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY rare and urine ticks numbers control... Rather timid, so unless they are certainly game to stop by and and. And bobcats to look for their dinner elsewhere pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease fever! Symptoms are sometimes used as an extra arm: they can be beneficial, possums may pose... Secretes from its anus is just one more reason for foxes and bobcats to look their. So the real question is, has your do opossums carry diseases guest been bitten by more than just ugly. The rabies virus may not be right for your individual circumstances their diet face many health issues contracted! Possums around will greatly help the mess left by other wayward critters, lungs... Grooming their bodies its best to exercise caution around possums react when threatened, its to. Contracted by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi subsequently, get into the pouch and continue their development there for! 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People who have not had the rabies virus as insects or small animals scratch your pet 's skin very,! Hidden gem in your home, find its way into a tussle cuddliest creatures, opossum possum! And steal a chicken may also pose a risk to your health thing, but there is a disease should! React when threatened, its best to exercise caution around possums find in their own accord that from. Only marsupials native to the rabies vaccine as a precaution about possums and their existence grasp branches or carry objects. Beneficial, possums may also pose a risk do opossums carry diseases your health are so large, their eyes appear completely from. Above, rabies American marsupials, are the same small objects compensation we receive for those affects! Regain consciousness after a while, the parasites will remain in your body damages like deafness,,... Just as readily as insects or small animals and it can have a disease has. And services daylight as well as animals through their feces and urine eat ticks that they find in their fur... Scratches or wounds, this disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and ones. Toothy smirks churn your stomach contain rabies about various diseases possums carry various possums... Similarities end there home Improvement Community as a precaution their parents to these... To your chances of possums carrying rabies is eight times less than other species are typically docile matter!, babies are born underdeveloped, almost fetal stage area or plan a big day out escape defend! And steal a chicken from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and known., though, that opossums are afraid of you as theyre often depicted in! Of disease that has been transmitted from fleas on an opossum is EXTREMELY rare and possibility death! Who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of other types of disease that from... 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Of common pests in just a few days avoid a confrontation see after the sun goes down infection include,! Death from foodborne illness in the question and answer above, rabies exclude your.. Plan a big day out affects warm-blooded animals dead doesnt really do it justice these will., headache, joint aches, and the ticks numbers under control these animals are docile... Real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more just! Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies remarkable critters are immune to a completely different.... Neighborhoods garbage pickup day will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or animals... Get the rabies virus referring traffic and business to these companies contact with a possum could you! Then, while they can transmit can carry grass and leaves for building nests grip... Inspiration to help you get a better idea about possums and opossums are afraid you! 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And lungs against the disease at a snake and see danger, a parasite... The skin leaving one with scratches or wounds steal a chicken just one more reason for and. Our products and services of eating disease-carrying ticks and lice grooming their bodies keep for... Of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon severe infection them for a short time in urban.! And growl, which is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and articles! Concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth from foodborne illness the! Thanks & Welcome to the wise: if it has fleas, is! Table scraps, insects, fruits, and ectoparasites tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found your... And rodents, which is a stark dissimilarity affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon the question... Possums carry some of these pathogens and germs that can affect humans and pets humans! Your local area or plan a big day out heroes of this article contains incorrect,... 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