When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. However, the most dangerous thing about them is that they can transmit bacteria and diseases. Hiking Boots vs. However, letting them into the home or garden is not advisable as they may transmit diseases to humans and pets. In some people, tuberculosis infection is latent. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. Cats, dogs, and many other pets may also get tuberculosis. Theyre often thought of as dimwitted, dirty creatures whose most impressive trick is acting like roadkill. The thing is, thats a myth. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! Well, it depends. Their whole body has any of these colors. Its symptoms include protracted coughing, coughing up blood, weight loss, breathing difficulties, and chest pain. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. So take precautions to ensure your pets do not come down with the disease. Tularemia is caused by a bacterial infection that results in fever and skin ulcers. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. 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. Exploration Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. Interestingly, having toxoplasmosis before pregnancy protects unborn children because mothers have developed immunity against the disease. "duration": "PT0M16S", Toxoplasmosis may last for weeks with patients showing signs of fever, headache, and muscle pain. What Do Opossums Like to Eat? As an escape mechanism, their bodies become still for 2 minutes to 2 hours. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. Your resident opossum might be just a bump in the night, but it could also be a carrier of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and tuberculosis. Reach out toUrban Jungle Wildlife Removal for a customized wildlife removal solution. Some diseases opossums can carry include: Leptospirosis It is a bacterial disease. 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 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. Bunnies, hares, and rodents are particularly susceptible to it. Opossums are also carriers of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM . There is never any additional cost to you. When it comes to opossums, you can be at peace knowing that these animals are typically docile. So, you must get to a hospital if you suspect that you have leptospirosis. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. You may contract it by touching the wound of an infected possum or by inhaling droplets expelled from the lungs of an infected possum. However, there are The signs are similar to other creatures. If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and excess salivation may appear. More commonly, opossums play dead or emit a horrible stench if frightened. 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. If you notice property damage or see some little paw prints with four clawed toes and one off to the side, you may have an opossum taking up residence in your home or around your property. The earlier you get treatment, the better. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . 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." Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. She has almost four years experience in the home improvement space. The best way is to rehabilitate them. How Much Does A Home Security System Cost. How (What Diseases Do They Get? As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. But the infection is pretty rare in dogs. 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. Theoretically, of course, if an opossum does get rabies it can spread rabies but, again, an opossum getting rabies is unlikely. You may also notice excessive drooling. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. Besides rabbits, cats and dogs can also get it. How Much Does Ethernet Installation Cost? And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. Opossums can carry a number of infectious diseases including, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and Chagas disease. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. There may also be vomiting and diarrhea in this phase. These animals consider snakes a good meal. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. Like in other marsupials, babies are born underdeveloped, almost fetal stage. They also can cause damage as they burrow under sheds, decks and porches to build nests where they take shelter and raise their young. Exposure to infected feces or eating undercooked contaminated meat can result in infection in both animals and humans. Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. This is why you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. They do not pose any danger to people or pets and [they] want to avoid [us] if they can.. The transmission of these pathogens and germs to humans happens when humans touch infected urine or body fluid. Opossums are night roamers, they find and consume all types of insects, bugs, snails, worms, smaller snakes, mice, rotting dead stuff, fallen fruits. Opossums can be tricky critters, and it is right to stay away from regardless whether or not they contain rabies. The term 'playing possum,' which means playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums. This does not influence our choices. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. But then, as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the nervous system. 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. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. Despite the potential for confusion, possum is accepted as the shortened version of opossum in this part of the world (and if you see the word possum in this list, you can assume its referring to the animal from the Americas). In other words, you have the infection, but the bacteria are inactive, so there are no symptoms. We can safely and effectively handle all your opossum or pest problems. 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. There are other diseases that the opossum can transmit, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and tularemia. When left untreated, Leptospirosis can cause complications, including liver failure, kidney damage, respiratory distress, meningitis, or death. To learn more about our products and how to keep opossums away from your environment, contact us today! Do Possums Carry Diseases? . Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease in other words, it is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. The exaggerated pupil dilation is thought to help the nocturnal animals see after the sun goes down. Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. Consider these rhyming words to the wise: If it has fleas, it can have a disease. Opossum Diseases - One of the important concerns that many people will have if they come into contact with a wild animal is whether or not they could catch a disease, and how the disease can be transmitted. Researchers at the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil observed some possums in captivity sharing dens even if they werent mates. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. They have impressive memories when it comes to food: better than rats or dogs. Possums largely lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Transmission through the lungs may occur when you run over an infected possum or possum carcass with a farming or landscaping machine. Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. The animal will typically regain consciousness after a period of a few minutes to four hours and escape quietly on its own. A viral meme claimed opossums are immune to rabies and ate up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease. In fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. Their tails, called prehensile, are more functional than rats' ones: they can perform tasks of an extra arm, similar to those of some monkeys'. Its better to keep your family safe by driving these marsupials out in a manner that will sure to keep them from coming back. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. 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. It is caused by a virus and can be spread through bites or scratches from an . The possum looks like a cute cross between a squirrel and a chinchilla and it belongs to a different order than the North American mammal that shares (most of) its name. ), Do Skunks Eat Meat? Opossums carry diseases like lice, fleas and ticks that can infest homes and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tularemia to humans and pets. They are not as suitable for shelling grains and nuts. Read on for more opossum facts. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. 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. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. When scared or threatened, they "play possum," simulating the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. Also, since opossums' have high body temperatures and high immunity,. You may get Chagas disease if you touch the urine or feces of infected possums. However, in case of confrontations with your dog, the possum may bite, cut or scratch your pet's skin. If frightened by your pet, the opossum will likely play dead or emit a horrible stench. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. While a person with latent tuberculosis may only take 1-2 drugs, someone with active tuberculosis may need up to 4 drugs for a couple of months. Therefore, they rarely bite. These remarkable critters are immune to a lot of things! Possums are found in four colors black, gold, silver-grey, and brown. Like many pests, opossums are opportunistic and need to be resourceful. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Handle such events as emergencies and do visit a vet. If you have gotten the vaccine against tuberculosis, you are unlikely to get sick from tuberculosis. They usually are odorless, unless the defensive mechanism is activated (then they are very smelly, for sure!). Heres why. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. Some people think theyre cute. 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. Your chances of encountering a rabid opossum are slim at best. job blog. Since you never know how a particular animal may react when threatened, its best to exercise caution around possums. Although, your pet might be safe if it is regularly vaccinated. animals such as rats, as the biology of the animal Do opossums carry diseases? The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. Virginia opossums have many predators: prey birds, owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and large snakes. 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. 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. In fact, because of their diets, some people even consider them beneficial to have around. They are primarily nocturnal but, may crop up during daylight as well. Like humans, animals sometimes show no symptoms of leptospirosis. Like other marsupials (e.g. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. Moreover, they are immune to toxins and venoms of many kinds. Opossums are most dangerous because they can potentially transmit diseases to pets and people. It encouraged people to kill as many possums as possible over three nights. If you arent confident that you can get rid of your pest, call a professional to get the job done. 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! includes a body temperature that is significantly Yes, some of the illnesses and diseases that possums carry can be fatal to dogs. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. There are, however, plenty of other infectious diseases to watch out for when it comes to possums. Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. Possums clean up your garbage cans effortlessly. Their natural life span is only two to four years. In other words, if your immunity is high and you get toxoplasmosis, you may only see symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and tender lymph nodes. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. Do Opossums Carry Diseases? 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. Schedule a service with an expert from ABC and get rid of pests once and for all. Good news opossums are generally harmless. They include: Chagas disease: Chagas disease is caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. Opossums are beneficial for disposing of carrion, too. Its an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness cant be chalked up to the possums acting skills. Finding a possum invading your home can be stressful when trying to figure out the best way to go about getting rid of this night crawling pest. If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. Apart from rabies, these marsupials possess many other diseases. However, because a possum's body . Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. 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. Its best to exercise caution around possums playing dead, has come from this behavior is believed to help nocturnal! 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