What is the difference between a possum and an opossum?

What is the difference between a possum and an opossum?

Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced or silent .

Are opossums good to have around?

But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and sometimes even small rodents. Theyll even clean up spilled garbage and fruit that has fallen off trees.

Will possums bite you?

Do Opossums Bite? Just like any scared animal, its possible for opossums to bite in defense. If they feel cornered or threatened, opossums will use several escape strategies ranging from playing dead to hissing. Biting is rare, but people should avoid contact with all wild animals to eliminate the risk.

What to do if you see a possum?

If you find an injured opossum, contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation unit and do not try to treat it on your own. It is also challenging to tell a dead opossum from the one that is playing dead, even if you poke and prod it: in that case, leave it be, and it will escape in a few hours.

Is the O silent in the word opossum?

The O in opossum is spelled but not pronounced. It is a silent letter, just like the H in the word honest. The articles a and an are correctly based on the first pronounced letter, not simply the first letter.

Why is opossum pronounced possum?

Possums are native to Australia. When English explorers first met the Australian creature, they thought it looked like the North American Opossum. As a result, they called it a possum and recorded the name like North Americans would pronounce it (without the O). Playing possum is an idiom for playing dead.

Do possums bite?

Do Opossums Bite? Just like any scared animal, its possible for opossums to bite in defense. If they feel cornered or threatened, opossums will use several escape strategies ranging from playing dead to hissing. Biting is rare, but people should avoid contact with all wild animals to eliminate the risk.

Are possums OK to have around?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Compared to other types of wildlife, they are very helpful. Opossums not only play an essential role in the ecosystem, but they can also be a valuable asset to your garden, in spite of the fact that most people are quick to control their numbers.

Is it good to have possums around your house?

According to the Wildlife Rescue League, Opossums are excellent at rodent and insect control, and being carrion eaters, they help keep roadways and neighborhoods clean. It also states that, Opossums are more beneficial as scavengers, than harmful for any damage they may cause.

Are possums good to have in your backyard?

But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and sometimes even small rodents. Theyll even clean up spilled garbage and fruit that has fallen off trees.

Should I worry about a possum?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Compared to other types of wildlife, they are very helpful. Opossums not only play an essential role in the ecosystem, but they can also be a valuable asset to your garden, in spite of the fact that most people are quick to control their numbers.

Will possums attack you?

Generally, no opossums are not directly dangerous to people. When encountered directly, the creatures hiss and growl. Opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. More commonly, the opossums pretend to be dead and emit an awful stench from their anal glands when frightened.

What happens if you get bitten by a possum?

While opossums are not normally the carriers of rabies, it is possible that you could become ill due to a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are utilized to treat this infection. If you are at all concerned about the bite you have sustained, you should contact your doctor.

Do possums actually bite?

Do possums bite? Possums do not bite. In fact, far from biting, Possums are generally timid creatures that would go out of their way to avoid a confrontation. If cornered then like most creatures they will defend themselves, but they will not attack without good reason.

How do you scare a possum away?

Possums are repelled by the stench of garlic, ammonia and mothballs. So go ahead and scatter those around where you think possums might hang out. Garlic works best when its crushed. If you decide to use ammonia, be careful!

What does it mean if you see a possum during the day?

Searching for food While most of their foraging happens at night, opossums can occasionally be seen in the daylight. If food is scarce, they will spend as much time as necessary to locate it, scavenging at all hours. This is especially true during harsh winters.

Can you outrun a possum?

Possum. A possum can run up to 3.5 mph, so not very fast, therefore, YES humans can outrun a possum (very easily).

Do possums bother you?

Opossums are not vicious and not aggressive to humans, but they are wild animals, and with their 50 teeth, they can provide a nasty bite. Their diseases can be fatal to humans and pets but also do provide some benefits around a property. They have also been known to make good pets in their own right.