opossum, good or bad?

[Blake8504]

I've got at least 1 opossum that comes in my back yard. We live in a residential neighborhood. My instinct is to kill it next time I see it. I've read though that they are good animals in regards to some things. I've got a 2-1/2 year old that is outside quite frequently, (although the opossum has been only seen after dark) and a dog that goes outside all the time. Should I trap, and relocate and all that jazz, or simply shoot it next time I see it via a subsonic .22 round?

[Swamphunterfw]

Let him be , they eat snakes , ticks , rats and mice , unless you grab it it anit gonna bite you , there is hundreds in your neighborhood you just haven't seen them

[Txjourneyman]

Let him be , they eat snakes , ticks , rats and mice , unless you grab it it anit gonna bite you , there is hundreds in your neighborhood you just haven't seen them

This! ^

[SmTx]

Used to have one run across the wire that spanned my backyard every evening. He kept my dog real entertained.

[Blake8504]

Let him be , they eat snakes , ticks , rats and mice , unless you grab it it anit gonna bite you , there is hundreds in your neighborhood you just haven't seen them

that's what I've heard. Also, that they hardly ever carry rabies as well. My only concern is if my son finds it during the day (which is highly unlikely being they are mostly nocturnal) he'll probably grab it.

I'll most likely let him be though. I never realized how "valuable" they were.

[Patton]

In regards to the safety of your family and dog- I wouldn't consider the opossum a threat. I've read before that they are actually 'clean' animals and eat an incredible amount of ticks and other small parasitic vermin.

[Swamphunterfw]

that's what I've heard. Also, that they hardly ever carry rabies as well. My only concern is if my son finds it during the day (which is highly unlikely being they are mostly nocturnal) he'll probably grab it.

I'll most likely let him be though. I never realized how "valuable" they were.

Yes possoms very very rarely get rabies , there body temp is generally to low to incubate the virus ,
Unless the kid is digging under shed or in brush like he prolly won't find him ,
I under stand about you son , my son is 2.5 and is all over the place I'm mostly worried about him finding snakes he loves reptiles

[stickman]

My dog thinks they are bad, kills every one she finds. That keeps the numbers down around our house even though I know the neighborhood is full of them. I had no idea they ate ticks, very interesting.

[WBT]

Definitely one of the good backyard animals. I live in the city and they help keep rats and mice away too.

[Capp35]

Let him be , they eat snakes , ticks , rats and mice , unless you grab it it anit gonna bite you , there is hundreds in your neighborhood you just haven't seen them

+1
It will keep your yard clean from more harmful things... snakes, ticks, etc.

[4x4 AG]

get the old bb gun out and shoot him in the butt a few times. might be enough to deter him from coming in the yard.

[tex4k]

Your possum, your house, your decision! I keep hearing all this clean this and harmless that, I've been catching critters for 50+ yrs, possums carry as many fleas as any other critter out there, they're not even partially immune to bubonic plague, (which occurs in my area), and ask the members here how many they've seen come running out of a dead cows butt. They get as much leniency as skunks, rats, stray cats, and a handful of other critters at my house. To top it all off they eat eggs, chickens, quail, pigeons, and baby rabbits if the oppurtunity presents itself, me having these in cages around here seems to present an oppurtunity in all the above critters view.

[Olphart]

I used to trap 'em and relocate to the high and mighty area. Then, I found out they kill copperheads and are somewhat immune to the venom. I let any of them come by that want to now. The ones I spook always run off or climb a tree and that is always at night. I've never seen one in the daylight hours.

Coons on the other hand get no mercy, or squirrels...

[dustoffer]

I trap and relocate as my dog is small (6.5 lbs) and is too ferocious to understand that mouthful of teeth on the possum. He had a small one (about 3 lbs) trapped under the end of the woodpile one morning, but wouldn't quite dive into the fight. I put my gloves on, picked up the little one and took him for a ride to the other side of the creek.

[Tony Pic]

Opossums get a pass when I see them. I enjoy watching them and they are North Americas ONLY Marsupial. They have 52 teeth and thumbs. Interesting critters to watch. If I get one in a dog proof cuff, it happens. They get lead to the head. One in a live trap...I let it go. They don't bother me none. Now if I had chickens and such...different story.