When You See a Possum in Your Yard? Understanding and Responding Appropriately
Seeing a possum in your yard can be surprising, but generally, it’s not cause for alarm; understanding their behavior and needs will help you decide on the best course of action: leave it alone, unless it’s visibly injured or posing an immediate threat.
Understanding the Possum: Background and Behavior
Possums, or Virginia opossums, are North America’s only marsupial. They are often misunderstood and unfairly feared. Understanding their role in the ecosystem and their typical behavior is the first step in knowing what to do when you see a possum in your yard?
- They are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night.
- Possums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, including insects, rodents, fruits, and even carrion.
- They are generally timid creatures and prefer to avoid confrontation.
- The famous “playing possum” is a defensive mechanism; when threatened, they feign death to deter predators.
The Benefits of Having Possums Around
Surprisingly, having possums in your yard can be beneficial. They are natural pest control agents.
- Insect Control: Possums consume large quantities of insects, including ticks, cockroaches, and beetles, helping to keep your yard pest-free.
- Rodent Control: They also eat rodents, such as mice and rats, which can help control these populations.
- Carrion Removal: Possums scavenge on dead animals, helping to clean up the environment.
Assessing the Situation: When to Intervene and When to Leave It Alone
When you see a possum in your yard?, the first step is to assess the situation. Most of the time, the best course of action is to leave it alone.
- Healthy and Unthreatening: If the possum appears healthy and is not causing any immediate problems, simply observe it from a distance and allow it to move on.
- Injured or Ill: If the possum appears injured (e.g., limping, bleeding) or ill (e.g., disoriented, lethargic), contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control agency. Do not attempt to handle the animal yourself.
- Aggressive Behavior: While rare, possums can become aggressive if they feel threatened. If a possum is hissing, baring its teeth, or acting defensively, keep your distance and contact animal control.
- Daytime Activity: Seeing a possum during the day is not necessarily a cause for concern, especially during breeding season. However, if the animal appears disoriented or weak, it may be sick or injured.
Discouraging Possums from Becoming a Nuisance
While possums can be beneficial, they can also become a nuisance if they start raiding your garbage cans or getting into your pet food. Here’s how to discourage them:
- Secure your garbage cans: Use tight-fitting lids and secure them with bungee cords or weights.
- Bring pet food indoors: Do not leave pet food outside overnight.
- Eliminate food sources: Clean up fallen fruit and seeds from your yard.
- Close off access to crawl spaces: Seal any openings under your house or deck.
- Trim branches: Cut back tree branches that overhang your roof, as possums can use them to access your attic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding possums: Feeding possums can encourage them to become dependent on humans and can also attract other unwanted animals.
- Trapping and relocating possums: Trapping and relocating possums is often ineffective, as other possums will simply move into the vacated territory. It can also be harmful to the animal, as they may not be able to find food and shelter in a new environment.
- Approaching or handling possums: Possums are wild animals and can bite or scratch if they feel threatened. Always maintain a safe distance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are possums dangerous to humans?
Possums are generally not dangerous to humans. They are timid creatures and prefer to avoid confrontation. They may bite or scratch if they feel threatened, but this is rare. However, it is important to avoid direct contact with possums, as they can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and tularemia.
Do possums carry rabies?
Possums are remarkably resistant to rabies due to their low body temperature. While they can contract rabies, it is extremely rare.
What should I do if my pet encounters a possum?
Keep your pet leashed and away from the possum. If your pet gets into a fight with a possum, check for any injuries and contact your veterinarian. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination.
How do I get rid of possums in my attic or under my house?
The best way to get rid of possums in your attic or under your house is to seal off any entry points. Before sealing the openings, make sure the possum is not inside. You can sprinkle flour near the opening and check for footprints the next day to see if the possum has left. You can also try using a live trap, but be sure to check it regularly and release the possum in a suitable location, if legal in your area. Contact a wildlife removal service if needed.
What do possums eat?
Possums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods. Their diet includes insects, rodents, fruits, vegetables, eggs, carrion, and even garbage. This dietary versatility is one reason they thrive in diverse environments.
How long do possums live?
Possums have a relatively short lifespan, typically only 1-2 years in the wild, due to predation, vehicle collisions, and other hazards.
Are possums protected by law?
The legal status of possums varies by location. In some areas, they are considered game animals and can be hunted or trapped during designated seasons. In other areas, they are protected. Check your local regulations for more information.
What does it mean if a possum is playing dead?
“Playing possum” is an involuntary defensive mechanism. When a possum feels threatened, it may feign death, becoming limp and releasing a foul-smelling odor. This can deter predators, as they often prefer live prey. This behavior demonstrates when you see a possum in your yard?, you’re potentially witnessing a stressed animal.
What time of year are possums most active?
Possums are active year-round, but they are most active during the breeding season, which typically occurs from February to June.
Can possums climb?
Yes, possums are excellent climbers. They have sharp claws and a prehensile tail that they use to grip branches and other surfaces. This is why they can often be found in trees, on fences, and even on roofs.
What is the difference between an opossum and a possum?
While often used interchangeably, “opossum” is the more scientifically correct term for the Virginia opossum, the species found in North America. “Possum” is typically used to refer to Australian marsupials from the suborder Phalangeriformes.
Is it okay to approach a baby possum?
No, never approach or handle a baby possum. If you find a baby possum that appears orphaned, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Even if the baby seems abandoned, the mother may be nearby and will return for it later. When you see a possum in your yard?, especially a young one, exercising caution and contacting experts is paramount.