Their family history dates back about 90 million years, and with poor eyesight and hearing and being slow afoot, it is amazing that they have made it this far. Opossums, as we know them today, have been around for nearly a million years.
History, Evolution And Modern Challenges
They are an enigma in evolution as a docile animal with 50 razor-sharp teeth, the most of any mammal in North America. The Algonquin Indians named them apasum, meaning "white animal," and they were first referred to as opossum by Captain John Smith in early 1600 Virginia. He also said they tasted like a pig.
In New Jersey, a license is required to own one, but they aren't the greatest pets. Aside from being difficult to train, they are susceptible to bacterial infections and develop cataracts when in captivity. In the wild, they are considered furbearers and protected by the law. They can only be killed or hunted with a license and during open season. It is best to contact Absolutely American Pest Control for nuisance opossum, rather than risk being fined.
They are the only marsupial in the United States, and while many refer to them as possum, that is an entirely different animal. They also have their own names; females are jills, and males are jacks. Perhaps it was opossum that went up the hill. Their babies are called joeys and get a group of them together, and it's called a passel. Incredibly, they can give birth to 20 babies, which remain in the mother's pouch between 2-3 months. Even more interesting is that they only have 13 mammary glands, ensuring the strongest survive.
Defense Mechanisms and Immunities
Fully grown, they would rather run than fight and use a scary hissing sound and bared teeth to try and ward off threats. If all else fails, well, they play possum. The common knowledge about the creature is that yes, they do pretend to be dead, but they don't choose when to do it. A shock to their nervous system results in them falling over, eyes closed, tongue hanging out and drooling. They release an odor from their anal glands that give off the appearance of a rotting carcass. They can remain in this state for a few hours and have no reflexes and feel no pain during this time.
One predator they don't have to worry about is the snake. They have a natural immunity to various poisonous snakes, and by isolating the proteins, scientists were able to create antivenom. A synthetic version has even proven to protect mice from the venom of the Russell's viper and rattlesnakes. The Russell's is one of the deadliest snakes worldwide. Snake venom is not the only deadly pathogen they somehow avoid. Only about one in eight hundred contract rabies, likely due to their lower body temperature. Compare that to the reported incidence in raccoons, 30.3%, and skunks, 20.3%, and it is negligible.
If opossums are becoming a nuisance for you, contact us today. We use the latest techniques and cutting-edge technology to get rid of your apasum issue once and for all.
Frequently Asked Opossum Questions
Q1. Can opossums transmit dangerous diseases to humans and pets?
A1. Opossums can carry various diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis, posing a risk to both humans and pets. Their feces and saliva can harbor pathogens, potentially leading to infections if contact occurs. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid interactions with opossums and take preventive measures to minimize health hazards.
Q2. Do opossums exhibit destructive behaviors that can harm property or disrupt urban environments?
A3. Opossums are notorious for their scavenging habits, often rummaging through garbage cans, gardens, and compost piles in search of food. Their foraging can result in property damage and nuisance issues, especially in urban and suburban areas. Additionally, opossums may create dens in crawl spaces or under decks, leading to structural damage and attracting other pests.
Q3. Are opossums detrimental to native wildlife and ecosystems?
A3. Opossums, despite their scavenging role, can have negative impacts on native wildlife and ecosystems. As opportunistic feeders, they compete with native species for resources, potentially disrupting food chains and biodiversity. Furthermore, opossums may prey on eggs and nestlings of birds and small mammals, further exacerbating ecological imbalances. Control measures may be necessary to mitigate their detrimental effects on local fauna and flora.