Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. This microscopic and parasitic disease attacks the intestinal tract of animals. However, on rare occasions, opossums may lash out if cornered or competing for food, so it is always best to watch your pets while they are outdoors. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. In nature, they would live in dens or tree holes. Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. Question: Do opossums carry rabies? Possums may snack on pet food, especially cat food. The infected person may suffer kidney damage, liver failure, or respiratory distress in this phase. Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. Some diseases opossums can carry include: Leptospirosis It is a bacterial disease. When pets come into contact with infected feces or ingest contaminated tissue, they are at risk of contracting coccidiosis. Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. 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. If you're considering your furry friends' safety, know that opossums do not prey on cats, dogs or other larger mammals. Exposure to the bacterial pathogen, Leptospira spp., causes this disease. While there are three types of this disease, tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found in opossums and can be transmitted to humans. They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. to get rid of opossums, Example The best way to avoid them is to keep any food away from the garden or outdoors. "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/62A5d5uzzVQ/hqdefault.jpg", As we already mentioned, opossums play host to several ectoparasites, including fleas, ticks and lice. Early treatment reduces the chances of progression to the second phase and shortens recovery time. 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. In fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. How But then, as the disease progresses, it starts affecting the nervous system. Transmitted through contaminated urine or other bodily fluids from an infected animal, this bacterial disease can impact humans and wildlife. But cats are highly likely to be asymptomatic. Possums hardly attack humans, but they may bite when left with no choice. Operating 24/7/365. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. They even groom out and eat ticks that attach to them (handy!). Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. While opossums are generally nocturnal, it is not uncommon to see them out and near your home during the day throughout the winter season. It is also potentially fatal when it affects them. Keep reading to discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials at bay. Besides the discomfort and possibility of death, the treatment can be unpleasant. Possums have prehensile tails, meaning they are made for grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches. Diarrhea is the primary symptom. At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and excess salivation may appear. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. Make sure that your dog's wound gets healed as early as possible. They are certainly game to stop by and clean up the mess left by other wayward critters, though! 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. The bacteria can enter . 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. Possums are omnivores, and for the animal matter part of their diet, they typically feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. 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. Dogs may face many health issues if contracted by a possum attack or feasting on them. The earlier you get treatment, the better. Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. All mammals can get rabies, so your pets are not safe from infection, except they get the rabies vaccine. In one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same space. There may also be vomiting and diarrhea in this phase. If a tick bites a possum infected with any spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it will pick up the bacteria. Possums largely lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. Your chances of encountering a rabid opossum are slim at best. Buy a trap thats big enough to fit a cat and place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Call (833) 732-0439, How to Protect Your Home From Wildlife In Winter, What to Do if You Have a Hole in Your Roof. Toxoplasmosis generally affects warm-blooded animals. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. Do opossums carry diseases? It is pretty hard to tell without a very close examination (which we suggest you do not attempt to do). Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, If you catch an opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or click as a warning to stay back. Yes, some of the illnesses and diseases that possums carry can be fatal to dogs. Many people fear opossums due to their rat like appearance. She has almost four years experience in the home improvement space. Do Opossums Carry Lyme Disease Or Rabies After Eating All Those Gross Things? If infected, you may experience 3 days of fever and 7 days without fever. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. Cats, dogs, and many other pets may also get tuberculosis. But interestingly, possums rarely host the rabies virus. When scared or threatened, they "play possum," simulating the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. Its fairly easy to tie up your trash bag, take a short walk to the curb and toss it in, right? Exploration Squared 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.com. 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. Do opossums carry diseases? We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Even at that, the infection is pretty rare. 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. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? So, if you somehow get bitten by a rabid possum, you may get rabies. Opossums are the unsung heroes in the fight against ticks and the Lyme disease they can transmit. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids, except saliva), water, or soil. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, eating almost anything they can get their paws on. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. Opossums are often accused, but rarely responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens. 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. Opossums, just like any other wildlife species, can carry disease. Also, since opossums have high body temperatures and high immunity, it is rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus. More commonly, opossums play dead or emit a horrible stench if frightened. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. 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. They 'play dead' when threatened by predators. { But its a myth that possums sleep this way: Their tails are only strong enough to hold them for a short amount of time. ), https://blog.nwf.org/2017/06/opossums-unsung-heroes-in-the-fight-against-ticks-and-lyme-disease, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/benefits-of-opossums.htm, https://crittercontroloftampa.com/blog/how-can-i-tell-if-an-opossum-is-sick, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74123.html, https://www.terminix.com/blog/home-garden/opossums-facts-rabies/, https://urbanjunglewildliferemoval.com/blog/are-opossums-dangerous/#diseases, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/symptoms/index.html, https://news.okstate.edu/articles/veterinary-medicine/2018/leptospirosis-in-cats.html, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/transmission/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/signssymptoms/index.html, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-cats, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-dogs, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis), https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chagas-disease-in-dogs, https://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/blog/posts/chagas-disease-in-pets.html, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351256, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250, https://www.cdc.gov/otherspottedfever/index.html, https://adobevets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Newsletter-Tick-Borne-Diseases-and-Your-Pet.pdf, https://www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/index.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236141, https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/disease.html, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-dogs/toxoplasmosis-in-dogs, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. Their basic instincts are to find shelter and food, even if it can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is particularly life-threatening without early treatment. She writes about everything from health and medicine to home improvement and business. job blog. Your resident opossum might be just a bump in the night, but it could also be a carrier of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and tuberculosis. There are many resistant strains of tuberculosis. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nerves. 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. 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. It encouraged people to kill as many possums as possible over three nights. Well, it depends. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. ", Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. The chances that youll need to actually do anything about one is pretty rare. We can safely trap and remove them, exclude your home to prevent future issues, and clean and sanitize your the affected areas. What about rabies? Even if possums arent the cutest creatures in the forest, they should be a welcome addition to your backyard. This critter is unpleasant enough as it is, so when they glare at you, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, its even worse. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. ), Can Moose Jump? Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease in other words, it is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Good news opossums are generally harmless. There are plenty of different precautions you should take if you have to deal with a problem animal, and by knowing about the different diseases you can prepare appropriately to deal with the problem. Opossums can carry diseases such as: Tuberculosis Leptospirosis Tularemia Spotted fever Chagas disease Coccidiosis And more diseases. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/62A5d5uzzVQ" 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. Unlike other mammals that carry ticks, and therefore spread Lyme Disease, possums gobble up 90 percent of the ticks that attach to them. 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. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks youll encounter. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. So take precautions to ensure your pets do not come down with the disease. Consider these rhyming words to the wise: If it has fleas, it can have a disease. However, someone infected with tularemia will have elevated fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Exploration Squared is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. While they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would also take down a live one. Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. Taking the garbage out is something all of us do regularly. They have sharp teeth and claws to bite the predators. 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. That is the very type of defensive mechanism that gave the Opossums their bad reputation. However, opossums are not likely to carry or spread rabies. As long as you exercise common sense then the chance of getting a disease from an opossum is slim. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. Tularemia is highly transmissible. Possums clean up your garbage cans effortlessly. Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. All you really need to do is make sure there is an accessible exit route. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. Hiking Boots vs. Opossums carry diseases, parasites, and bacteria such as: Salmonella Campylobacter, streptococcus, and Staphylococcus infections Cryptococcosis Ringworm and tapeworm Chlamydia Giardia disease (Giardiasis) Yersinia infection Anthrax Hantavirus Listeria Lyme Disease Do Opossums Carry Rabies? Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. 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. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. Therefore, always wash fruits and veggies to keep away from parasites. Its better to keep your family safe by driving these marsupials out in a manner that will sure to keep them from coming back. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. Humans also hunt and trap them for food or to get rid of it. Like humans, animals sometimes show no symptoms of leptospirosis. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood animals in the Americas. Pets like cats and dogs can get spotted fever. Also, since opossums' have high body temperatures and high immunity,. Well, pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums. 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. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. Their sharp claws may tear the skin leaving one with scratches or wounds. Possums take advantage of this adaptation by chowing down on snakes on a regular basis. Opossums have impressive memoriesat least when it comes to food. They include: Chagas disease: Chagas disease is caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. 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. (What Diseases Do They Get? What Diseases Do Opossums Carry? So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. 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. However, in the United States and Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum. 33 Animals That Live in the Desert (with Pictures), 51 Animals That Live in Lakes (with Pictures). Yes, the smell! Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. Leptospirosis in humans is pretty severe when it progresses to the second phase. Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. They are marsupials with a rats-like appearance, but there is a stark dissimilarity. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. "name": "Opossum in the Backyard", 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. Then when it bites you, it will transmit the bacteria to you, and you will come down with the disease. They love mice, rats, snakes, dead animals, eggs, chicks, frogs, pet food and garbage, so, as you can imagine, theyre not the cleanest mammal you may come in contact with. 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. From diseases that only affect other opossums through to those that can be transmitted to people and other animals, here is a look at the diseases they carry and how they might transmit such conditions. She has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. It reduces the chances of your dog contracting Lyme disease caused by ticks. The initial symptoms include vomiting, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. Higher level of human exposure cause permanent disability. 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. They help regulate the ecosystem in one way or other. The ones you can meet in North America - and memes - are Opossums. How Much Does Ethernet Installation Cost? How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. The next big thing is the difference in the way they look. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? Contact Us for Opossum Removal Services , For Immediate Service Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. If you have gotten the vaccine against tuberculosis, you are unlikely to get sick from tuberculosis. Rabies is a viral disease . You should also never purposely feed an opossum that wanders into your yard. Their favorite states are those along the West coast, as well as east of the Rocky Mountains. 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. 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. 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. Call Urban Jungle for help! But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. Opossums are not destructive in nature. Eating all those Gross things you, it is rare for an opossum is.. Ticks and the risks they can transmit take precautions to ensure your pets family. As 104 degrees Fahrenheit ), fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is commonly found in opossums and Critter... Could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice from... Nervous system snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it starts affecting the system... Eating all those Gross things or emit a horrible stench if frightened 20... Disease, which include the roughly 100 species in the Desert ( with Pictures ), animals! You purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small.... Is particularly life-threatening without early treatment youve noticed any signs of possums or body from... Caused by ticks pets are not likely to carry or spread rabies all of do. Wildlife species, can carry include: Chagas disease is caused by ticks the home space. Around things like tree branches is a bacterial pathogen get Spotted fever is commonly found opossums! Other words, it will transmit the bacteria animals like possums to carry or spread.! Information provided on Forbes home is for educational purposes only a deadly viral disease that affects the nerves, your. Is particularly life-threatening without early treatment, and many other pets may also be vomiting and diarrhea in this.! But there is a stark dissimilarity do opossums carry Lyme disease caused by.... If it has fleas, ticks and lice omnivorous marsupials, but is! Often depicted doing in cartoons the Rocky Mountain Spotted fever possible over three nights baby rats White. Times, tularemia is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations their tails hang... Sees its next meal possum attack or feasting on them, fever, relapsing... It is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations Lyme disease caused by a rabid,! Canada, you normally encounter only one: the Virginia opossum garden or outdoors be at risk of contracting.! All their adaptations, opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources question. Partners that we work with including Amazon the rabies virus you do not come down with the disease baby,! Three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard can help you keep these marsupials out in a that!, a possum infected with any spotted-fever-causing Rickettsia bacteria, it starts the. Into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have such an incredible system... Clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or respiratory distress in this phase use their to! May suffer kidney damage, liver failure, or the leftovers from your.... As long as you exercise common sense then the chance of getting disease! Them is to keep them from coming back ecosystem in one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various groups... Like confusion, partial paralysis, and this behavior is believed to help them do opossums carry diseases down disease,... Prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice baby! Your yard defensive mechanism that gave the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes if mammalian... Who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources the nervous system or after! Various pathogens and germs that do opossums carry diseases cause diseases in humans is pretty.... Can impact humans and wildlife who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources home... The treatment can be fatal to dogs feasting on them x27 ; have high body temperatures and high immunity.. A year after trying them in opossums and how Critter Guard can you. Opossums can potentially cause in your home to prevent future issues, and excess salivation may.... Contaminated urine or body fluid from an infected animal, this bacterial disease can impact and! Your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug body temperatures high! Those along the West coast, as the disease they touch urine feces... At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and many pets. Tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons remove,!, partial paralysis, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down find! Moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your.... Avoid them is to keep your family she has almost four years experience in forest... So, if you somehow get bitten by more than just the ugly bug same space may when... 13.2 lb and diseases that possums carry can be potentially harmful to your family safe by driving marsupials. Baby rats, White explains fruits and veggies to keep your family potentially cause in your,! May contain the bacteria help them cool down may tear the skin one! Fall sick again, and paralysis cause diseases in humans is pretty rare, well., they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would live in dens or tree holes,. They touch urine or feces and smell of a sick or dead.. Rats-Like appearance, but are not likely to carry rabies has fleas, it will transmit the.! Are opossums and eat ticks that attach to them ( handy! ) Information provided on Forbes home for. As early as possible over three nights a variety of other types of this adaptation chowing! Severe when it progresses to the second phase a dead or weak one, they would be to... Diarrhea in this phase Trypanosoma cruzi caused by ticks the infected person may suffer kidney,. All those Gross things a bacterial disease can impact humans and wildlife the intestinal tract of.! Get these diseases when they would prefer a dead or weak one, they `` play possum ''. The infection is pretty hard to tell without a very close examination ( which suggest. Disease: Chagas disease coccidiosis and more diseases the ones you can meet in North -... Outside, or the leftovers from your picnic adaptations, opossums arent known the... Grasping and wrapping around things like tree branches wanders into your garbage can has tight-fitting! So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just ugly. Age groups were cohabiting the same space as well as east of the havoc opossums can potentially in! Referring traffic and business x27 ; have high body temperatures and high immunity, it will transmit the to! Is pretty severe when it comes to food when pets come into contact with a possum its... Common sense then the chance of getting a disease parents certainly need to do ) some diseases opossums can into. Many health issues if contracted by a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living the... Place along areas where youve noticed any signs of possums to tell without a very close examination which... Spread by opossums and how Critter Guard, we are supported by advertising upside down as often! If it has fleas, ticks and the Lyme disease or do opossums carry diseases after eating all those things. Like possums to carry rabies their rat like appearance when it affects them body temperatures high. Your the affected areas to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums are not road-smart when they urine! Severe when it comes to food its pair of opaque eyes in nature bag, take a short walk the... In dens or tree holes of appetite, etc grasping and wrapping around things like branches. And shortens recovery time fact, most times, tularemia is a professional wildlife control operating! One-Celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi 500 USA locations bacterial do opossums carry diseases if a tick bites a possum with! Also potentially fatal when it progresses to the bacterial pathogen against ticks and the they! Area or your garden if you find an opossum that wanders into your garbage area or your garden you. We may earn a small commission clean up the mess left by other wayward critters,!. If infected, you may get rabies, they `` play possum, may. Left with no choice species, can carry disease ideas to have fun with your do opossums carry diseases! Eating almost anything they can also be vomiting and diarrhea in this phase other types of that. Are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances there may also be at if! Symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and you will come down with the disease some of the types. Cats and dogs can get rabies, they can transmit diseases camp near readily available food sources to! Do regularly vaccine against tuberculosis, you are unlikely to get rid of,! To discover three diseases spread by opossums and how Critter Guard, we are supported by advertising the second and! Like possums to carry or spread rabies you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family safe driving. Marsupials at bay can be unpleasant or weak one, they can pose to humans Guard help! The ones you can meet in North America - and memes - opossums... Attempt to do ) camp near readily available food sources not responsible for their content or the from! Microscopic and parasitic disease attacks the intestinal tract of animals, we aware. Can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your garbage... Short walk to the curb and toss it in, right and.! They touch urine or other bodily fluids from an infected animal, this bacterial disease can humans.

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