I just saw a possum
 

I was looking out my back door and I saw a possum coming into my yard through my fence! I had just been outside with Louis about 10 min. before that. I always go outside with Louis, but I want to be sure that these animals don't attack dogs or people. :eek:

Well, you definatly don't need to worry about it attacking you not unless you corner and really freak it out where it has no place to go anyway. If a person were to try to pick one up or something you're gonna get bit, but it's not going to "attack" anyone, and as far as I know, that includes your dog. Now, I wouldn't want one of dogs being able to chase and try to catch one becuase if they did they could certainly get hurt, but that's the only way. Opossums aren't agressive creatures by nature unless they feel a need to defend them selves, most likely they'd just run away though.
I'd say you're fine, but if I kept seeing it during the day and it acted weird or agressive without being provoced, I'd call animal controle. If it was at night and he was just mosying around or ran away when you can outside, it's fine, let it go. We have alot of them here but I've only ever seen them at night. My only concern with one being in my yard would be if it pooped there and the dog ate the poop - internal parasites would be a concern.
lol, I actually just found this on a 'Possum web site;):


Question: If opossums are nocturnal then why do I see one in the day?
There are a number of reasons for opossum sightings during the day. If it is winter in an extremely cold area, usually covered with snow, then the opossum may be hungry. It is often difficult for an opossum to find food in extremely cold, snowy areas. During sever weather the opossum may stay in a den a few days until hunger drives it out of hiding. The opossum may have to forage for food during the day, often while it is warmer. During the spring or summer months a female opossum laden with young must spend more time foraging for food and may be seen during the day. Also, an opossum’s daytime hiding area may be disturbed, often by the presence of a dog or children throwing a ball into a bush. The frightened animal will run out and search for a new hiding place. Other possibilities include a blind opossum or a sick or injured opossum. If you suspect the opossum is not healthy then contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

here's another answer from that site I found
 

There is an opossum in my yard. What do I do?

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That is what I am afraid of. I am scared that the next time I take Louis out to potty, if the possum is hiding out there, that Louis will try to get it. I already go out there with him, so I will have to make sure the coast is clear before I let him out. I was already worried about hawks, now I have to worry about possums too! :rolleyes:

ooops didn't work
 

lets try that again;):

Nothing, leave it alone. Enjoy watching wildlife in your own backyard! Opossums are beneficial: eating the harmful, unwanted pests around your home such as snails, slugs, spiders, cockroaches, rats, mice and snakes. Think of the opossum as your free gardener. The opossum is known as “Nature’s Little Sanitation Engineer” for a good reason!

Here's the web site link if you have any more questions or concerns:)

www.opossumsocietyus.org/frequently_asked_questions.htm

Honestly, I'd be very willing to bet that if Louis went running after a possum, it would high tail it out of your yard as fast as it possibly could. It's not going to let him get anywhere near it - they run away if they can.

Those things scare the heck out of me. They are so ugly looking. I see them at night walking across the fence. They have never bothered the dog's.


Here a couple of my back yard friends.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../395753292.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../396406158.jpg

I was raised in farm country, lots of farmers as relatives on my dad's side. Possums are abundant in that neck of the woods; however, the farmers always say to keep your distance if they are out during the day. Farmers worry about rabies if they are spotted in the day. They can by onery if cornered.

I would just keep your distance. Unless they are rabbid, they will not approach you (as Alice said). I also would not corner them or let your dog chase them/corner them.

HA HA HA, I'm really enjoying reading this Thread ! :D

I can't believe you guys are afraid of a Possum, and,
AlicetheYorkie and I agree totally.

We have a Resident Possum, who comes through the Yard
at night, after I close the Doggy Door. HA, I think he wears
a watch or something, cause after he came too early once,
and both of mine let him know he was trespassing, he's never
made that mistake ever again. :D

As has been said, they are very docile creatures, unless you corner
them. Are EXTREMELY valuable to us as Nature's Little Janitors,
and will totally clean your yard of dead things and any garbage or
table scraps you would wish to leave out for it.

Please don't harm it, or cause it to run off very far.

You're right, a face only a Mother could love. :rolleyes:

http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/opossumphotos/7.jpg

I've been told that about the rabid ones too, that they come out during the day and to be much more caucious if you do see one during the day. Not 100% sure how true that is but it does make sense.

They are ugly aren't they:p Idk I like when I see one though:) they're intersting animals and I've definatly never been afraid of one. I've seen one cornered though and they hiss like a mad cat lol.

Yep, see they run away:D

they are cutely ugly!! lol:rolleyes:

I would be more scared of a fox... :eek:

It is extremely rare for a possum to contract rabies because of their low body temperature.

Here is Polly the Possum in the middle of the day on my fence. My pups would love to get her. :D

Attachment 345115

Attachment 345116

HA HA, we call our Possum "Sweetie" :D

Do I see one of your little guys trying to climb that metal Pole ! ;)

Oh yes....that is my wild Cookie! :D She would love to get Polly. She is a mix...did a dna test and found she is yorkie and border terrier. What a little hunter she is!

Sweetie...haha yours has a cute name, too. :)

I thought that Cookie looked a little hefty ! Those Borders are total
survivalist !

I've always taken the "natural" approach to raising mine. Let/encourage
them to chase Squirrels, play in the mud, get dirty, rough and tumble and
just be dogs. That by the way, cost me about $300 a year at the groomer's. :rolleyes:

PS: nice to see you back ! ;)

She is a digger....tries to go to China on occasion. :D

ps. thanks ;):):p

I would be worried as I think animals can bring diseases to our babies. You just have to watch them whenever they are outside. I always worry about some disease-crazed animal attacking so I always watch any dog of mine when outside just in case.

I'd treat the yard for fleas if I were you. Right before we started having our flea problem here, we saw a huge possum in our yard with 4 babies on her back, she was burrowing under our deck. The exterminator told me that it's very likely that this is where the fleas came from. The only other place my babies go is to the groomer every two weeks, and they are meticulous there. They check every animal that comes in for fleas and whatnot, and segregate and treat any that are infested. They are not allowed anywhere near any others on that visit. I know how careful they are, because I work there in exchange for my babies' grooming.

If you want to read what we've been dealing with here, you can see it here:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ah-flease.html

Them opossums are ugly-cute:laugh:

Possums freak me out! We had one that showed up in our yard last summer in broad daylight. I think he was coming to eat left over cat food that we had fed a stray.

I know this seems pretty obvious, but, Possum's and other wilds
usually don't just come into a yard (where the scent of human is)
unless there's a pretty good reason for it.

You'd be surprised just how little it takes though. You gotta check
your yard and area thoroughly, and remove anything that they will
want to eat or drink.

Such as...
Water for your animals/birds/a dish outside, sometimes standing water.
Scraps, in a bowl, or something you just pitched out the door.
Something your Dog may have taken outside and buried, treat/bone.
Searching for a Den/Nest, openings to under your house (Pier/Beam).

Things that are very subtle, can you think of anything else ?

Possums are ugly but they are for the most part harmless. They will only attack if cornered. I have them and raccoons periodically in my yard and I prefer possums over raccoons. Raccoons can be mean and they are diseased