OPOSSUMS

 

Opossums are a common nuisance species because they are opportunistic, and will take advantage of human homes, sheds, decks, etc. in order to live and steal food. They are marsupials, and the young grow in a pouch in spring. We commonly find them under decks and porches and they are also a common dead animal extraction target. Opossums are nocturnal marsupials. The female opossum has a pouch on her belly in which she carries her young.


OPOSSUM DISEASES
Nuisance opossums cause health concerns for your family and your pets. Most diseases are transferred only through direct contact, although the droppings within a structure can cause extremely harmful diseases.  Simply being near an opossum is not considered a risk. Pets should receive regular vaccinations from your veterinarian to reduce risk.

 

OPOSSUM FACTS

• Although they're famous for "playing possum" or pretending to be dead, opossums can be quite fierce when cornered.

• Opossums usually have 15-20 inches in length and weigh between 4-12 pounds.

• Long-tail helps them in climbing, but they can't hang from the branch using their tail only.

• Opossums have more teeth than other mammals (50).

• They are omnivores (eat plants and animals). Insects are usually on their menu, but they also like reptiles, amphibians, eggs, fruit, and berries. They often dig trash cans to find some food. Since they eat carrion, dead animals on the road can be a perfect meal for them.

• Opossums are nocturnal animals. They have poor eyesight and sense of hearing, so they need to rely on their sense of smell during the hunt. Luckily, their sense of smell is excellent.

• They have sharp claws that can be used against predators, but they have another more efficient technique that can help them survive a dangerous situation: they pretend to be dead! Opossums can lay motionless from one minute to 6 hours.

• After mating, it takes only 14 days for young opossums to be born. One litter usually consists of 20 babies. Only a few babies survive.

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These are some of our other specialties:

• Bats

• Squirrels

• Raccoons

• Birds

• Mice

• Snakes

• Skunks

• Groundhogs

• Dead Animals

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​If you need assistance with a domestic animal, such as a dog or a cat, you need to call your local Kansas City county ANIMAL CONTROL services for assistance.