by Shanty Tejeda, age 10
These furry, cute animals are misunderstood as rodents and pests. They are North America’s only marsupial and one of the best animals to have in your backyard. They help kill pests and are also tick vacuums, which is helpful, as ticks transmit Lyme disease: The opossum!
The Algonquian Tribe created the name “opossum,” which means white animal. How do possums and opossums differ? “Opossums live in North and South America. Possums live in Australia and other countries,” said Julie Cappiello, a writer at World Animal Protection. In casual conversation, people in North America often refer to opossums as “possums.”
Opossums eat carrion, insects, ticks, and reptiles. They rarely contract rabies because of their low body temperature. Don’t scare them, as they will enter a state where they play dead for one to four hours when they feel threatened. Opossums are also immune to snake venom.
Why wouldn’t you love opossums? They are cute and kill pests. When they hiss, they’re scared. If you find a wild opossum, contact a professional animal rescue group or shelter immediately, and they will know what to do.
