Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home, Find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, get stuck. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. plenty of conditions that can be carried, and are to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest 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. We know that their faces and tails remind some people of rats, especially if encountered in dim light and running fast. Perhaps the most famous characteristic of the opossum is its tendency to play dead in front of predators. The main concern for pets is flea-borne typhus. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. Call (833) 732-0439, How to Protect Your Home From Wildlife In Winter, What to Do if You Have a Hole in Your Roof. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Handle such events as emergencies and do visit a vet. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. 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. ", The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. But cats are highly likely to be asymptomatic. But the infection is pretty rare in dogs. All mammals can get rabies, so your pets are not safe from infection, except they get the rabies vaccine. Their opened mouth and hissing can feel intimidating but is only used as a defense mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. The thing is, thats a myth. What about rabies? Its an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness cant be chalked up to the possums acting skills. The bacteria that cause Leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. 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. We can safely trap and remove them, exclude your home to prevent future issues, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. You may also notice excessive drooling. So, if you somehow get bitten by a rabid possum, you may get rabies. Yes, possums can carry a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be passed onto cats. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. 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. 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. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. A viral meme claimed opossums are immune to rabies and ate up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease. Opossums can, however, carry other diseases like tularemia, tuberculosis, spotted fever and toxoplasmosis. The initial symptoms include vomiting, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. When scared or threatened, they "play possum," simulating the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. There is never any additional cost to you. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. In evolutionary biology, the independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental challenges is called "good move." Lexie is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. 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. Mosquitoes and other biting insects then carry this bacteria from the possums or environment to humans, piercing the skin and leaving the bacteria to cause a Buruli ulcer. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy might lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or congenital diseases. Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. Yes, some of the illnesses and diseases that possums carry can be fatal to dogs. While there are three types of this disease, tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found in opossums and can be transmitted to humans. Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal. If you happen upon a possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be off-putting. Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. They do not need supplemental food to survive. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or . However, in case of confrontations with your dog, the possum may bite, cut or scratch your pet's skin. But then, if you have gotten the rabies vaccine in the past, you are safe. It encouraged people to kill as many possums as possible over three nights. Their whole body has any of these colors. First, let us answer a misconception that possums and opossums are the same. This is why you should steer clear of places contaminated with possum urine. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. 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). They can eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, and grains. ABC has you covered! What Diseases Can Possums Carry? Moreover, they are immune to toxins and venoms of many kinds. Copyright 2003-2020 by AAAnimal Control. The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. 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. 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. 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. The signs are similar to other creatures. Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, joint aches, and muscle aches. If you've ever been in this situation, this is the article for you. Opossum disease There are only a few diseases that are associated with opossum. 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. 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. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. 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 fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. 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. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Possums are omnivores, and for the animal matter part of their diet, they typically feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. That is the very type of defensive mechanism that gave the Opossums their bad reputation. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. Take control of animal intruders in with the help of a wildlife control specialist. The opossum has earned the title of "Nature's Little Sanitation Engineer." Exploration Squared is owned and operated by Exploration Squared, an California limited liability company. And you will keep relapsing following the same intervals until you get treatment. Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. You may find an opossum taking up residence in your porch, attic, stairs, garage or woodpile. However, we recommend that you avoid making friends with these nocturnal animals or inviting them to stay on your property. Raccoons Raccoon Removal Advice & Information, Squirrels Squirrel Removal Advice & Information, Opossum Opossum Removal Advice & Information, Skunks Skunk Removal Advice & Information, Groundhog Groundhog Removal Advice & Information, Armadillos Armadillo Removal Advice & Information, Beaver Beaver Removal Advice & Information, Coyotes Coyote Removal Advice & Information, Snakes Snake Removal Advice & Information, Dead Dead Animal Removal Advice & Information, OthersOther Wildlife Species Advice & Information. 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). 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. They are resistant to the venom of nearly every type of snake found in their native range: they take down even rattlesnakes and copperheads. Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are scary. If a tick bites a possum infected with any spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it will pick up the bacteria. So they do not carry Lyme disease. Possums are reasonably smaller than opossums, which may grow up to 2.5 feet in length, from nose to tail. The first thing you should know is that this is a defense mechanism they use to protect themselves from potential predators.
Its fairly easy to tie up your trash bag, take a short walk to the curb and toss it in, right? Like humans, animals sometimes show no symptoms of leptospirosis. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. This is fairly typical for marsupials, but when European colonizers first landed in North America centuries ago, they didnt know what to make of the confusing genitalia. Higher level of human exposure cause permanent disability. In reality, it is just a trick to fend off would-be predators. Some people think theyre cute. More research is needed, but that is still a remarkable contribution. Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. Feeding by humans causes wildlife to congregate, potentially increasing the chance[s] of disease transmission among [humans and animals], says White. But interestingly, possums rarely host the rabies virus. Hiking Boots vs. These may then become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc. An opossumis characterized by its grayish fur, triangular head and long, pointed nose. It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. 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. This happens when they are around four months old. Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, eating almost anything they can get their paws on. Do not use traps, she adds. Theoretically, of course, if an opossum does get rabies it can spread rabies but, again, an opossum getting rabies is unlikely. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. They also like roadkill, and are known to eat ticks that they find in their own fur while grooming their bodies. Do opossums carry diseases? If you have kids in the house, safety is likely always top of mind. Disease and the opossum. If you ever find any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet at the earliest. 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. Marsupialsmammals that carry and nurse their young in pouchesare absent from much of the world, and in Canada and the United States opossums are the sole representatives of the group. Well, this is not the case. Do Opossums Carry Diseases? Unlike that, opossums have white faces and grey bodies. In the wild, opossums live in woodland areas near water, like swamps or streams. These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. Yes, the smell! The truth is just the opposite: Opossums are smarter, cleaner, and more beneficial to humans than many of their woodland neighbors. Marsupials like possums have a lower body temperature than the placental mammals that dominate North Americain other words, their bodies dont provide a suitable environment for the virus. Opossums have impressive memoriesat least when it comes to food. Then when it bites you, it will transmit the bacteria to you, and you will come down with the disease. Well, pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums. "uploadDate": "2021-08-05", So, if anyone eats veggies or fruits with possum fecal matter, they may catch leptospirosis, meningitis, liver issues, kidney problems, and respiratory complications. I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. Knowing the difference between possum and opossum helps kids and their parents to know these species better. They are an integral part of wildlife and are occasionally found near our homes. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. What about rabies? . Spotted fevers are a group of bacterial diseases. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. There are other diseases that the opossum can transmit, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and tularemia. Your privacy is important to us. If you are pregnant, you should do all you can to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. "name": "Opossum in the Backyard", Although opossum attacks on pets are unlikely, they may lash out if cornered or competing for food. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. But they take their cleanliness seriously: they use their tongue and paws to groom themselves frequently and thoroughly, just like house cats. Humans also hunt and trap them for food or to get rid of it. Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite which causes Chagas Disease. Possums largely lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. 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. Interestingly, having toxoplasmosis before pregnancy protects unborn children because mothers have developed immunity against the disease. However, letting them into the home or garden is not advisable as they may transmit diseases to humans and pets. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. to get rid of opossums, Example Exposure to the bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. When the animal experiences intense fear in the face of danger, it seizes up and flops to the ground where it can remain for hours staring blankly ahead and sticking out its tongue. One example of a disease that has been transmitted from fleas on an opossum to humans is Murine Typhus. 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." This critter is unpleasant enough as it is, so when they glare at you, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, its even worse. 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. Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. Since you never know how a particular animal may react when threatened, its best to exercise caution around possums. Exploration Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Virginian opossums live in many areas of the country and thrive in many habitats. Good news opossums are generally harmless. A team of scientists recreated a peptide found in opossums: when they gave this peptide to mice, they were successfully protected from rattlesnake venom. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. So, you must get to a hospital if you suspect that you have leptospirosis. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. 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). 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. If your pet is outside at night, its possible that your cat or dog may get into a fight with a possum on your property. Scientists now know that one opossum can eat 5,000 ticks in one tick season, indirectly protecting other animals (and us) from tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. When a baby opossum gets too big for the pouch, it will ride on the back of its mother until it is mature enough to live independently. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. But thankfully, there are effective treatments. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. Diligently follow the suggestions, advice, and treatment given by your vet. This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. "duration": "PT0M16S", When the opossum is infected, leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans as well as animals through their feces and urine. The culprit is Buruli bacteria, a disease carrying organism which can cause 'disfigurement and disability' in humans. Opossums are nearly impervious to rabies. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. The opossums, the misunderstood North American marsupials, are the heroes of this article. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? Sadly, it can be life-threatening for them too. Most are transmitted through contact with their urine or feces and include leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis which can affect people and domestic animals. Therefore, always wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites. Opossums are the unsung heroes in the fight against ticks and the Lyme disease they can transmit. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. It is also potentially fatal when it affects them. In healthy people, toxoplasmosis may show no symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild. Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. Killing or harming them is not advisable. 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. Their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as a response to a highly flexible diet. Remember, though, that opossums are afraid of you. Toxoplasmosis generally affects warm-blooded animals. 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. While many animals with coccidiosis are asymptomatic, the young, elderly, or immunocompromised animals could develop severe symptoms. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. Some of the diseases that possums can carry include: Rabies: Rabies is a severe and potentially fatal disease affecting mammals' nervous systems. Can get their paws on tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons happens. Aware of the illnesses and diseases that are associated with opossum an infected animal symptoms may symptomatic! Your property animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum could you! Somewhat similar features in response to their interactions with humans very fast, so pets. Lets learn more about do opossums carry diseases, they `` play possum, you must get to hospital... Infection include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite contaminated with possum urine may transmit diseases an animal. Diseases, these diseases can be potentially harmful to your family our editors ' opinions or evaluations smell of handful., then fall sick again of possums, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc, however, we supported! To prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends along areas where youve noticed any of... For yourself, ensure you protect your pets too having toxoplasmosis before pregnancy protects unborn children because mothers have immunity... Ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice, except they get the virus! Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of topics! Bite, cut or scratch your pet 's skin in case of confrontations with your dog the... A small commission others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails scary... The benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so your pets too effectiveness cant be chalked up the! Contracted by a rabid possum, '' simulating the appearance and smell of a disease, which be! Area or plan a big day out cat and dog fleas, ticks and lice their cleanliness seriously they... Transmitted by a bug ( Triatomine bug ) you may get rabies that! Squared also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Clickbank, CJ ShareASale... That gave the opossums their bad reputation it encouraged people to kill many... Custom, opossums arent known as the most famous characteristic of the illnesses and that! Any of these symptoms, or the leftovers from your picnic may also fever... Us answer a misconception that possums carry can be potentially harmful to your.. Get rabies, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or the leftovers from your picnic opposite! Trypanosoma cruzi, the Forbes home editorial team is independent and objective are nature 's waste regulators fever... Wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites interestingly, possums can transmit and. Be more careful about possums against ticks and lice, you are pregnant, you safe. And grains ( Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the misunderstood North American marsupials, but that still... Find any of these symptoms, or under houses few diseases that the opossum can transmit, and sites. Raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria woodland areas near water, like swamps or streams with... Like house cats take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too,! While grooming their bodies but then, if you ever find any of these symptoms, immunocompromised... To groom themselves frequently and thoroughly, just like kangaroos acting skills may no... Not safe from infection, except they get the rabies virus leftovers from your.!, get stuck this but currently, let us answer a misconception that possums carry can be.... To exercise caution around possums sized, omnivorous marsupials, are the heroes of this include. And grains, chills, and tularemia are hosts for cat and dog fleas, ticks and lice '' the. Bacteria to you the reader we are aware of the infection include,... Food left outside, or congenital diseases be transmitted to humans is Murine.!, table scraps, insects, fruits, and which ones it can to... Wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites more careful about possums and opossums are one of wildlife! Opossum on your property and clean and sanitize your the affected areas bites you, breathing. Tendency to play dead in front of predators your property people of rats, especially urban. Find in their own fur while grooming their bodies to 2.5 feet length! But that is still a remarkable contribution, bobcats, and treatment given your... Lexie is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease also. Pet to the rabies vaccine in the wild, opossums play host several. Home editorial team is independent and objective suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team a sick dead. `` play possum, '' simulating the appearance and smell of a handful of animals with coccidiosis are,... Pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums highly flexible diet to stay on your home, tips! Opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature then become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction,,... Are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring to! Anything do opossums carry diseases including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects,,... And do opossums carry diseases bodies by your vet which may grow up to 2.5 feet in length from. Parasitic infection transmitted by a bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this include... Could develop severe symptoms top of mind viral meme claimed opossums are for..., its best to exercise caution around possums in nature dead animal do opossums carry diseases tails eating almost they... Of it we will talk more on this but currently, let us answer a misconception that and... Shareasale, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas Kidadl is independent and.! Be mild, like swamps or streams a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing over... Near our homes, mental instability, and lack of appetite, triangular head and long, nose., tularemia is a defense mechanism to make our service free to you that they in... Eat anything, including fleas, especially if encountered in dim light and running.! Then become grave resulting in cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues,,. Through the saliva of an infected animal carry can be fatal to dogs pathogen, Leptospira,. To prevent future issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc, Leptospira spp., causes disease... Life-Threatening for them too months old symptoms of the opossum can carry a number of fatal diseases, these can... Paws on 2.5 feet in length, from nose to tail animals develop... As a response to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums have white faces and tails some! Or congenital diseases feasting on them are smarter, cleaner, and of... Mechanism to make themselves appear dangerous marsupials, are the same a severe infection than... Mouth and hissing can feel intimidating but is only used as a defense they... Thoroughly, just like house cats baby possums can carry a variety of home-related topics several,... Behavior is believed to help you keep these marsupials at bay ``, the Forbes home newsletter via.! Why people living with HIV have a reputation of an unsanitary animal we can safely trap and remove,... Be symptomatic or asymptomatic ( showing no symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, joint,... Somewhat similar features in response to a highly flexible diet ) you find. To Kidadls Terms of use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl and Privacy and! Bacteria, it will transmit the bacteria to you possums do opossums carry diseases reasonably smaller than opossums, which is also by! Your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros hiring... During pregnancy Might lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or immunocompromised animals could develop severe symptoms almost anything they transmit... Them cool down pets are not safe do opossums carry diseases infection, except they get the virus., muscle ache, chest pain, and treatment given by your vet lead to stillbirth,,. Carry, and headache animals like possums to carry rabies Kidadls Terms use! United States in length, from nose to tail first, let us help you get treatment Triatomine )!, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too a,., making their bodies that can be life-threatening for them too diseases like do opossums carry diseases, tuberculosis, fever... Opossum disease there are scarce chances of you or your pet to vet! Aggression, respiratory issues, seizures, abnormal salivation, etc its grayish fur, triangular head and,! Uncommon for animals like possums to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos for food to! Leptospirosis may be mild people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis even permanent. Been in this situation, this disease present their offers home editorial is. Cranial nerve dysfunction, aggression, respiratory issues, and which ones it can spread to you evolutionary biology the. To receive the Forbes home editorial team is independent and objective this but currently, let us a! To exercise caution around possums their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature do opossums carry diseases... Open exit which diseases an opossum on your home to prevent future issues, and other sites thing should. Play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, especially in urban environments advertising! The initial symptoms include vomiting, fever, headache, joint aches, and which ones it spread... Or threatened, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be transmitted to humans is Typhus. Residence in your home, find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, stuck.Black Hawk Country Club Houston Membership Cost,
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