{"id":102838,"date":"2022-04-22T12:33:04","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T12:33:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:33:04","slug":"do-possums-have-enemies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/","title":{"rendered":"Do possums have enemies?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_possums_have_enemies\" title=\"Do possums have enemies?\">Do possums have enemies?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_eats_possums_in_Australia\" title=\"What eats possums in Australia?\">What eats possums in Australia?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_are_the_possums_enemies\" title=\"What are the possums enemies?\">What are the possums enemies?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_possums_fight_with_other_animals\" title=\"Do possums fight with other animals?\">Do possums fight with other animals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#How_do_possums_protect_themselves\" title=\"How do possums protect themselves?\">How do possums protect themselves?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_animals_eat_opossums\" title=\"What animals eat opossums?\">What animals eat opossums?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_possums_have_natural_predators\" title=\"Do possums have natural predators?\">Do possums have natural predators?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_cats_eat_possums\" title=\"Do cats eat possums?\">Do cats eat possums?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#How_do_you_get_rid_of_possums_in_Australia\" title=\"How do you get rid of possums in Australia?\">How do you get rid of possums in Australia?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_usually_kills_possums\" title=\"What usually kills possums?\">What usually kills possums?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_will_scare_a_possum\" title=\"What will scare a possum?\">What will scare a possum?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_do_possums_fight\" title=\"What do possums fight?\">What do possums fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Who_would_win_a_possum_or_a_cat\" title=\"Who would win a possum or a cat?\">Who would win a possum or a cat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Will_possums_attack\" title=\"Will possums attack?\">Will possums attack?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_do_possums_do_when_scared\" title=\"What do possums do when scared?\">What do possums do when scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_is_a_possum_defense_mechanism\" title=\"What is a possum defense mechanism?\">What is a possum defense mechanism?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_possums_play_dead_when_scared\" title=\"Do possums play dead when scared?\">Do possums play dead when scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Do_possums_freeze_when_scared\" title=\"Do possums freeze when scared?\">Do possums freeze when scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#Who_eats_a_possum\" title=\"Who eats a possum?\">Who eats a possum?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#How_do_I_get_rid_of_possums\" title=\"How do I get rid of possums?\">How do I get rid of possums?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/do-possums-have-enemies\/#What_eat_possums\" title=\"What eat possums?\">What eat possums?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_have_enemies\"><\/span>Do possums have enemies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Main predators include dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, large hawks, and great horned owls. The chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. When frightened, opossums bare their 50 sharp teeth and hiss or growl. However, they would rather avoid confrontation and be left alone.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_eats_possums_in_Australia\"><\/span>What eats possums in Australia?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This may be because Australia has more fragmented eucalypt forests and more predators. In Australia, brushtail possums are threatened by <b>humans, tiger quolls, dogs, foxes, cats, goannas, carpet snakes, and powerful owls<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_possums_enemies\"><\/span>What are the possums enemies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Adult possums are preyed upon by <b>large owls, fox, coyotes, wolves, and bobcats.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_fight_with_other_animals\"><\/span>Do possums fight with other animals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>They can attack and injure a cat, other animals, or even humans if they feel threatened as a way to protect themselves. Mostly, its line of defense when facing a threat includes growling, hissing, displaying its teeth, or even playing dead.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_possums_protect_themselves\"><\/span>How do possums protect themselves?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>When an opossum plays dead, it bares its teeth, foams at the mouth and secretes a fluid from its anal glands that gives off a bad smell. All of these things add to the look of it being dead, helping to keep predators at bay. It can remain in this catatonic state for a few minutes or a few hours.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animals_eat_opossums\"><\/span>What animals eat opossums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Predators include <b>owls, hawks, red foxes, cats, dogs and humans. Opossums protect themselves from predators by playing dead, since most predators will not eat an animal that is already dead.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_have_natural_predators\"><\/span>Do possums have natural predators?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Predators of Opossums include <b>foxes, cats, and birds of prey.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_cats_eat_possums\"><\/span>Do cats eat possums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In fact, <b>cats, both stray cats and even pet cats, kill a far larger number of opossums, especially the young opossums, which aren&#8217;t much different in size or appearance than a rat! Of course cats kill opossums.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_get_rid_of_possums_in_Australia\"><\/span>How do you get rid of possums in Australia?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Cruelty-free ways to remove or repel possums<\/b><\/p>\n<li>Fence them out.  <\/li>\n<li>Remove access to food and water.  <\/li>\n<li>Secure your compost and veggie patch.  <\/li>\n<li>Block any access points to your roof.  <\/li>\n<li>Trim trees and branches close to your home.  <\/li>\n<li>Use ultrasonic pest repellent.  <\/li>\n<li>Install a possum box.  <\/li>\n<li>Deter possums with particular plants.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_usually_kills_possums\"><\/span>What usually kills possums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Main predators include dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, large hawks, and great horned owls. The chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. When frightened, opossums bare their 50 sharp teeth and hiss or growl. However, they would rather avoid confrontation and be left alone.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_will_scare_a_possum\"><\/span>What will scare a possum?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Carbon dioxide gas is the most appropriate technique to euthanize opossums. Opossums also can be humanely killed with a gunshot to the head, if legal and safe in your area.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_possums_fight\"><\/span>What do possums fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Opossums are peaceful animals that <b>prefer not to fight although they may hiss, growl, and even bite if cornered. It is much more likely that the opossum will faint or play dead at the prospect of a confrontation. This physiological response is involuntary and automatic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_would_win_a_possum_or_a_cat\"><\/span>Who would win a possum or a cat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In short, the answer is a resounding yes, but perhaps not in the way that you would have thought! The possum is around the same size as a cat, with around 50 razor sharp teeth, and some rather serious claws, <b>both of which could theoretically rip shreds out of your cat in a standoff.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_possums_attack\"><\/span>Will possums attack?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Adult possums are preyed upon by <b>large owls, fox, coyotes, wolves, and bobcats.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_possums_do_when_scared\"><\/span>What do possums do when scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When frightened, opossums will <b>sit there and hiss with their mouth open. If you find a possum that won&#8217;t move, don&#8217;t assume that it is injured. Most often, the opossum is frightened and will hold its ground and defend itself. Simply walk away and keep children and pets away.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_possum_defense_mechanism\"><\/span>What is a possum defense mechanism?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Defense: <b>When threatened, an opossum will hiss and show its teeth to try to ward off a predator. If this doesn&#8217;t stop the predator from attacking, the opossum will pretend to be dead, falling to his side, curling up and opening his mouth.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_play_dead_when_scared\"><\/span>Do possums play dead when scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Opossums don&#8217;t actually play dead when they&#8217;re threatened. Instead, they involuntarily enter a catatonic state. Possums, as they are commonly called, are more likely to run the other way, bare their teeth and growl in dangerous situations.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_freeze_when_scared\"><\/span>Do possums freeze when scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Opossums freeze up and play dead when frightened or threatened, and can stay in this catatonic state discouraging predators, from minutes to 6 hours!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_eats_a_possum\"><\/span>Who eats a possum?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Predators include <b>owls, hawks, red foxes, cats, dogs and humans. Opossums protect themselves from predators by playing dead, since most predators will not eat an animal that is already dead.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_get_rid_of_possums\"><\/span>How do I get rid of possums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Main predators include dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, large hawks, and great horned owls. The chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. When frightened, opossums bare their 50 sharp teeth and hiss or growl. However, they would rather avoid confrontation and be left alone.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_eat_possums\"><\/span>What eat possums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Main predators include dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, large hawks, and great horned owls. The chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. When frightened, opossums bare their 50 sharp teeth and hiss or growl. However, they would rather avoid confrontation and be left alone.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Do possums have enemies?What eats possums in Australia?What are the possums enemies?Do possums fight with other animals?How do possums protect themselves?What animals eat opossums?Do possums have natural predators?Do cats eat possums?How do you get rid of possums in Australia?What usually kills possums?What will scare a possum?What do possums fight?Who would win a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102838"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102838"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102838\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}