Opossums are more resistant to rabies than any other mammal; cattle, goats, dogs, cats, sheep, and the ice cream man are far more susceptible to rabies! However, in a rare case, opossumâs may carry rabies. Opossums can, however, carry other diseases like tularemia, tuberculosis, spotted fever and toxoplasmosis. While no wild animal is entirely immune to rabies and a few cases of opossums with it have been documented, finding one with the disease is extremely rare. While opossums rarely carry rabies, they do carry many other diseases and can, when cornered, become aggressive. The opossum is not dangerous to you or your pets if left alone. Dealing With An Opossum When it comes to dealing with an opossum that is becoming a problem, the best option is to trap the animal and either to kill it humanely or to relocate it if your state's rules allow such relocation. This means that they don't carry a whole lot of the standard zoonotic diseases that other animals might carry. 8. It's not really ever documented in the North American Virginia Opossum (the only possum that lives in the USA). If you think you've been exposed to possum rabies, this means that you've either been bit and scratched or spat on by a possum. Marsupials like opossums have a lower temperature compared to other types of mammals in North America, making their bodies a less suitable environment for the rabies virus. In a study from the CDC, possums are the most frequently reported animal species with rabies in the US, specifically the Eastern and Southern Eastern parts of the country. Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. No, most of the opossum species do not carry rabies. While any warm blooded mammal can carry rabies, it is highly unlikely that a opossum will. Rabies is extremely rare in opossums, as their body temperature is too low for the virus to thrive. They can do damage to homes and can even injure pets and, if very ill or scared, injure you or your loved ones. According to the Opossum Society website, this is thought to be due to the opossumâs low body temperature, an inhospitable environment for rabies. Admittedly, opossums do carry fleas (as do all wild and some domestic animals). Opossums have a spectacular immune system, and a lower than average body temperature. Donât try and catch them or remove ⦠Like all mammals, opossums can carry rabies, but scientists have found that opossums have a lower-than-average risk of carrying this disease. Indeed, this lower blood temperature is said to be a part of the animal's protection from snake bites and even rabies, which struggle to take hold in the animal's body. What Do Opossums Like to Eat? Opossums don't really get rabies. While possums arenât totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. The best thing for the opossum is to be left in it's own territory where it can find food and knows where there is a safe shelter. Although theoretically any mammal can contract the rabies virus, opossums seem somehow immune to it. Although it happens on very rare occasions, opossums do not typically carry the rabies virus. THEY ALMOST NEVER GET RABIES. It is because of their low body temperature which is around 34.4°C to 36.1°C that prevents Rabies virus to survive in an opossumâs body. This contrasts starkly with many similarly-sized animals that have carnivorous or omnivorous diets, such as skunks, foxes and raccoons, which are important rabies reservoirs. Example? Although an opossum might get rabies, it's very unlikely. 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