If you’re a longtime resident of Austin, you’ve probably seen your fair share of opossums. At first glance, these silvery, pointy-nosed scavengers don’t seem like anything special. In truth, opossums are far from ordinary; they have many unusual features and a rich and fascinating history full of myth and legend.Interesting Opossum Facts
Here are some unusual facts you may not have known about the everyday opossum:
- An opossum can “play dead” for up to four hours when it feels threatened, but contrary to popular belief, the reaction is actually involuntary.
- Opossums are immune to rattlesnake venom and they often eat the rattlers that dare to strike.
- Although commonly mistaken for a rodent, the opossum is a marsupial and it’s the only one found in North America.
- Like a kangaroo, the mother opossum carries her young in her pouch.
- Opossums have opposable thumbs on their hind feet. They use the digits to grasp and climb. They also have prehensile tails.
- The opossum’s omnivorous diet includes garbage, dead animal corpses, maggots, feces and just about anything else.
Opossum Myths and Legends
Native Americans revere animals and they don’t exclude the opossum. Several opossum myths and legends have survived through the generations. The Cherokees explain their own opossum-related fable in “Why the Opossum’s Tail Is Bare.” An irritating opossum plays a prominent role in a Caddo legend called “Coyote the Hungry.” The Biloxi Indians had their own ideas about the opossum’s famous death act. Read their take on the phenomenon in “Why the Opossum Plays Dead.”
Love Them or Hate Them
Although they’re amazing creatures, opossums have a not-so-great reputation among humans. They can carry a number of serious diseases and parasites, but they rarely get close enough to people to share these problems. Unfortunately, they do like to rummage through garbage containers and this can be quite annoying and messy. If you leave food outdoors for your dogs or cats, opossums will be more than happy to help them eat it. They’ve also been known to harass small pets and take up residence under porches or in attics. While many humans detest opossums for their scavenging activities and poor hygiene, others are devoted to preserving and protecting these animals. Opossum.org even gives advice for people who wish to rescue, relocate and rehabilitate them.
Take Back Your Yard
The most effective way to manage an opossum problem is to trap and relocate the creatures. Trapping an opossum is considered easy; they’re slow and not particularly smart. However, it’s best to check with local authorities before taking action or consult a local wildlife management professional for help. For advice about prevention and control, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services and speak with our Austin pest and wildlife control specialists.