Possums are common nocturnal visitors in many North American backyards, sparking questions about their presence. This article addresses common concerns regarding their behavior, potential disease risks, and how to coexist peacefully with them.
Possum Temperament and Behavior
Possums are generally timid, non-aggressive, and nocturnal animals that prefer to avoid confrontation. They typically flee when startled, seeking to escape rather than engage in conflict. They are considered gentle creatures and rarely attack unless cornered or severely threatened.
Their most well-known defense mechanism is “playing possum,” where they feign death by falling motionless, often with an open mouth and drooling. This involuntary physical response to extreme stress deters predators who prefer live prey. While they might hiss, growl, or display their teeth when threatened, bites or scratches are rare and typically occur only if the animal is handled or feels trapped.
Disease Risks and Realities
A common misconception revolves around possums and rabies; however, actual cases are exceedingly rare. Their naturally low body temperature (94-97°F / 34.4-36.1°C) inhibits the rabies virus from surviving effectively. Possums have one of the lowest rates of rabies among tested wildlife.
Possums can carry other diseases, though transmission to humans often requires direct contact or specific environmental conditions. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, can spread through contact with infected possum urine or contaminated water, soil, or food. Symptoms in humans can include fever, muscle pain, and in severe cases, liver and kidney complications. Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, can be carried in their feces and poses a risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals, though symptoms are rare in healthy people.
Other potential concerns include coccidiosis, caused by microscopic parasites in feces, and internal parasites like roundworms. Possums can also host external parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can transmit diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans or pets. Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding direct contact with feces or infected animals helps minimize these risks.
Safe Coexistence Practices
To minimize encounters and promote safe coexistence, implement several practical measures around your home and yard. Maintain a respectful distance and never attempt to approach, pet, or feed them. Handling a wild possum, even if it appears docile, can lead to bites.
Securing potential food sources effectively deters possums. Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids, bring pet food indoors, and clean up fallen fruit or birdseed. Sealing entry points to homes, sheds, or under decks with hardware cloth or chicken wire can prevent nesting. If a possum is in your yard, it will likely move on its own within a few days if food sources are removed.
Contact animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator if you encounter a possum that appears sick, injured, or is behaving unusually, such as acting aggressively or being active during daylight hours. Simple deterrents like motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also encourage them to leave your property.