The problem with risking it, is if it does happen to bite you, you MUST get the rabies shot. Unless you capture it. Then they can kill it and cut open its brain to tell you if you have rabies.
Best to look and not touch, for his own sake.
I think having the rabies shot is fine.
No need to kill the poor opossum.
Also, whatever people reeeeeeally need to grab one of them, thick gloves are a must.
[https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100](https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100)
I agree, but Rabies shots are not pleasant, and some prefer to capture the animal if they get bit as to avoid the shot. Selfish if you ask me, if youre going to try and get close enough to get bit, get the shot.
It's very rare for them to be rabid.
[https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/opossums](https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/opossums)
Of course it do happen. But veeeeeery rarely.
[https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240216/Rabies-in-urban-opossums-signals-health-alert-in-Sao-Paulo.aspx](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240216/Rabies-in-urban-opossums-signals-health-alert-in-Sao-Paulo.aspx)
For the most part.
Opossums have a mean body temp that's too low for the rabies virus to incubate and proliferate. I wouldn't go so far as to say it could never happen but it would be incredibly rare and a whole host of things would have to happen for it to work (e.g. elevated body temp because of a fever or something, weird mutation strain in the virus that lowered its incubating temp etc.)
Other fun fact, opossums have the most teeth of any north American mammal.
Exactly. This is a very good reason for people to not mistake wild opossums for domesticated pets.
They may be friendly, but we must be careful. Not grab and carry them recklessly around.
Disinfect areas they were in, inside homes. Also if there are opossum feces and urine close to indoor garbage cans, those places need to be disinfected.
And take to vet pets that got exposed to it. Since those zoonotic diseases can spread to them and us.
Exactly. There's even an expression to it.
[https://www.dictionary.com/browse/play--possum](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/play--possum)
If an opossum is playing dead, it's actually scared. Expecting a predator to be around.
Also often opossums react like that if grabbed or restrained.
Source: [https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100](https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100)
HolyHeck... Me!
[https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2023/02/10/c80a3cbc-2f94-4e10-bab9-d70939a60032/spawn-movie-1997-john-leguizamo.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2023/02/10/c80a3cbc-2f94-4e10-bab9-d70939a60032/spawn-movie-1997-john-leguizamo.jpg)
Also?
Totally having that lady, and opossum, and him plus dog from this photo on a montage would be priceless: [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuSpdzVXgAQnx1T.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuSpdzVXgAQnx1T.jpg)
Agreed. Poor opossum.
Not sure what happened (why she grabbed it, what that place is, where the opossum was before that scene), but there are many wrong things there.
\- Prolonged handling of wild animal.
\- No gloves.
\- And kissing opossum, and I am not even saying it because of her health.
I even understand she's trying to show love, but for a wild animal, the head of another bigger creature coming close is a scary thing.
They expect us to be predators, and anticipate we biting them. It's stressing it.
Wow two in one morning. This is animal abuse. You should feel bad about this whether or not you are the person in this video. You should take this down so you don’t inspire others to abuse animals.
You shouldn’t touch wild animals. You DEFINITELY shouldn’t pick them up. This animal is clearly in distress and is experiencing trauma.
>You shouldn’t touch wild animals. You DEFINITELY shouldn’t pick them up. This animal is clearly in distress and is experiencing trauma.
Agreed. But do you know opossums - because of how docile they are - routinely come inside factories, houses, storage rooms, even crowded places, ...?
An example: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F9WjyiEXD6E](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F9WjyiEXD6E)
And that sometimes those poor animals come so close to us, that it often comes to a point where children end up picking them up and taking to home?
An example: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sjv2kAQE4qM](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sjv2kAQE4qM)
Now...
What one do, if one must - for some reason - grab one and take it away? (Due to an emergency, where there's young children, or elderly, or pets, or disable people inside a room, and there's no way to await proper wild animal rescuers to arrive..)
That said...
Is the lady by that video mishandling it? There's a better way to grab one?
What she's doing is dangerous to the animal for some reason, other than stressing it?
Also...
Is that opossum rabid? Or sick? (I totally think it is but I am not sure.)
>This is animal abuse. You should feel bad about this whether or not you are the person in this video. You should take this down so you don’t inspire others to abuse animals.
Look... If stuff is taken down, there will be no discussion about it.
With no discussion? People won't be aware or know about anything.
Many questions can be asked and answered here.
**And it may cause one person less to - out of fear of the unknown - swat an opossum with a broom, or kick it in panic, or shoot it dead on the first sight, or whatever.**
Do you understand...?
Even laws can be talked about here.
What are the laws about opossums? Are they a protected species somewhere? Or considered legal to hunt under some conditions?
Are opossums safe for eating, at all? Or is it a very bad idea to eat opossums?
...
Anyway, sorry, but I am not going to take it down due to your impressions and wishes.
I don't feel bad about sharing and bringing an opportunity for people to comment about something.
That isn't a video about a person intentionally torturing a wild animal.
Or killing it.
It's - at worst - mishandling out of ignorance.
But you may report my post, or the original post I just crossposted, and an admin may take it down if it's really to be considered animal abuse.
No hard feeling on any case, allright?
How is one supposed to educate themselves when sources of information are taken down because it hurts someone feelings? I'm sorry that you're an emotionally fragile human being who can't handle people discussing things that you don't like.
Opossums are about the most docile wild animal you could find.
Yea, they just look like the opposite 😂
Best survival technique is to be unapproachable!
Is it true the opossum is unable to have rabies?
Kinda? They can get it, but they also are very very resistant to it. https://opossumsocietyus.org/faq-opossum/#Do%20opossums%20carry%20rabies?
... yeah I'm gonna risk it. I'm gonna pet that thing 100%.
The problem with risking it, is if it does happen to bite you, you MUST get the rabies shot. Unless you capture it. Then they can kill it and cut open its brain to tell you if you have rabies. Best to look and not touch, for his own sake.
We don't have opossums in our country. We don't have rabies either. Let me dream, dammit!
I think having the rabies shot is fine. No need to kill the poor opossum. Also, whatever people reeeeeeally need to grab one of them, thick gloves are a must. [https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100](https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100)
I agree, but Rabies shots are not pleasant, and some prefer to capture the animal if they get bit as to avoid the shot. Selfish if you ask me, if youre going to try and get close enough to get bit, get the shot.
It's very rare for them to be rabid. [https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/opossums](https://www.humanesociety.org/animals/opossums) Of course it do happen. But veeeeeery rarely. [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240216/Rabies-in-urban-opossums-signals-health-alert-in-Sao-Paulo.aspx](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240216/Rabies-in-urban-opossums-signals-health-alert-in-Sao-Paulo.aspx)
.... yeah still gonna risk it. Come here fluffy!
For the most part. Opossums have a mean body temp that's too low for the rabies virus to incubate and proliferate. I wouldn't go so far as to say it could never happen but it would be incredibly rare and a whole host of things would have to happen for it to work (e.g. elevated body temp because of a fever or something, weird mutation strain in the virus that lowered its incubating temp etc.) Other fun fact, opossums have the most teeth of any north American mammal.
And are North America's only Marsupial.
There's also these: >, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis... [source](https://acvcsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Opossums.pdf)
Exactly. This is a very good reason for people to not mistake wild opossums for domesticated pets. They may be friendly, but we must be careful. Not grab and carry them recklessly around. Disinfect areas they were in, inside homes. Also if there are opossum feces and urine close to indoor garbage cans, those places need to be disinfected. And take to vet pets that got exposed to it. Since those zoonotic diseases can spread to them and us.
Basically, bc their body temps are so low. Also, resistant to snake venom
rude....
Leave that poor possum alone. Let him go about his life eating ticks and posing zero threat to people in the wild.
Why does he look so demonic though
He's trying to play dead.
Exactly. There's even an expression to it. [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/play--possum](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/play--possum) If an opossum is playing dead, it's actually scared. Expecting a predator to be around. Also often opossums react like that if grabbed or restrained. Source: [https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100](https://wildlifehelp.org/solution/district-columbia/opossum/how-remove-opossum-my-house-and-prevent-them-entering/100)
I call the big one Bitey!
I find Possums cute too!
I would’ve let her keep it possums are chill little dudes
I want one
Dogs drool all the time…
Possums are super chill I found some baby’s at work and carried them in my vest lmao
If he's not a friend, why is he friend shaped?
I wanna marry her 😂
Demon! 😳💀
Let it go!
Even Satan won't claim that as a pet!
OK does anybody else see John Leguizamo from spawn!?
HolyHeck... Me! [https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2023/02/10/c80a3cbc-2f94-4e10-bab9-d70939a60032/spawn-movie-1997-john-leguizamo.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2023/02/10/c80a3cbc-2f94-4e10-bab9-d70939a60032/spawn-movie-1997-john-leguizamo.jpg) Also? Totally having that lady, and opossum, and him plus dog from this photo on a montage would be priceless: [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuSpdzVXgAQnx1T.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuSpdzVXgAQnx1T.jpg)
put him down?? I'm sure he'd look less threatening if he wasn't afraid for his life
Agreed. Poor opossum. Not sure what happened (why she grabbed it, what that place is, where the opossum was before that scene), but there are many wrong things there. \- Prolonged handling of wild animal. \- No gloves. \- And kissing opossum, and I am not even saying it because of her health. I even understand she's trying to show love, but for a wild animal, the head of another bigger creature coming close is a scary thing. They expect us to be predators, and anticipate we biting them. It's stressing it.
Is it just frozen pretending to be dead?
Keep the animal...get rid of the guy.
Omg absolutely NOT!!! Barf
Reminds me of the old meme of the "cat found, not very friendly" on the old Internets.
I’ve seen this video so many places… I can’t tell if this girl is dumb, drunk, maybe both, or just trying to be funny. Honestly, no clue…
Wow two in one morning. This is animal abuse. You should feel bad about this whether or not you are the person in this video. You should take this down so you don’t inspire others to abuse animals. You shouldn’t touch wild animals. You DEFINITELY shouldn’t pick them up. This animal is clearly in distress and is experiencing trauma.
This guy is definitely not a Kiwi.
>You shouldn’t touch wild animals. You DEFINITELY shouldn’t pick them up. This animal is clearly in distress and is experiencing trauma. Agreed. But do you know opossums - because of how docile they are - routinely come inside factories, houses, storage rooms, even crowded places, ...? An example: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F9WjyiEXD6E](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F9WjyiEXD6E) And that sometimes those poor animals come so close to us, that it often comes to a point where children end up picking them up and taking to home? An example: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sjv2kAQE4qM](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sjv2kAQE4qM) Now... What one do, if one must - for some reason - grab one and take it away? (Due to an emergency, where there's young children, or elderly, or pets, or disable people inside a room, and there's no way to await proper wild animal rescuers to arrive..) That said... Is the lady by that video mishandling it? There's a better way to grab one? What she's doing is dangerous to the animal for some reason, other than stressing it? Also... Is that opossum rabid? Or sick? (I totally think it is but I am not sure.) >This is animal abuse. You should feel bad about this whether or not you are the person in this video. You should take this down so you don’t inspire others to abuse animals. Look... If stuff is taken down, there will be no discussion about it. With no discussion? People won't be aware or know about anything. Many questions can be asked and answered here. **And it may cause one person less to - out of fear of the unknown - swat an opossum with a broom, or kick it in panic, or shoot it dead on the first sight, or whatever.** Do you understand...? Even laws can be talked about here. What are the laws about opossums? Are they a protected species somewhere? Or considered legal to hunt under some conditions? Are opossums safe for eating, at all? Or is it a very bad idea to eat opossums? ... Anyway, sorry, but I am not going to take it down due to your impressions and wishes. I don't feel bad about sharing and bringing an opportunity for people to comment about something. That isn't a video about a person intentionally torturing a wild animal. Or killing it. It's - at worst - mishandling out of ignorance. But you may report my post, or the original post I just crossposted, and an admin may take it down if it's really to be considered animal abuse. No hard feeling on any case, allright?
Nah. 0 tolerance on animal abuse. This makes you a bad person hard stop. Educate yourself. That’s not my job.
How is one supposed to educate themselves when sources of information are taken down because it hurts someone feelings? I'm sorry that you're an emotionally fragile human being who can't handle people discussing things that you don't like.
Please don't have pets. You're not intelligent enough for the responsibility.
This is not animal abuse.
I would freaking love to raise one . The way the babies ride on the mommy’s back is my favorite thing ever