{"id":384,"date":"2023-05-08T08:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T08:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/?p=384"},"modified":"2023-05-06T21:22:54","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T21:22:54","slug":"understanding-the-behavior-of-opossums-in-the-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/understanding-the-behavior-of-opossums-in-the-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Behavior of Opossums in the Wild"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Opossums are one of the most misunderstood animals in North America. Despite their reputation for being aggressive and destructive, these curious creatures are actually quite harmless and can be a great asset to any backyard habitat. But if you\u2019re looking to get up close and personal with an opossum, it\u2019s important to understand their behavior so that you don\u2019t accidentally startle them or put yourself at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog post, we will explore the behavior of opossums in the wild, including why they play dead when threatened and how they interact with other wildlife. We&#8217;ll also discuss some tips for humanely removing opossums from your property if necessary. By understanding more about these fascinating omnivores, we can all work together towards creating a safe environment for everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Opossum-Removal-Indianapolis-Indiana.jpg\" alt=\"Call 317-847-6409  for Opossum Removal in Indianapolis Indiana\" class=\"wp-image-385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Opossum-Removal-Indianapolis-Indiana.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Opossum-Removal-Indianapolis-Indiana-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Opossum-Removal-Indianapolis-Indiana-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Opossum-Removal-Indianapolis-Indiana-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Call 317-847-6409  for Opossum Removal in Indianapolis Indiana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:30px\">Top Opossum Facts You Want to Know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Opossums are Active From Dusk to Dawn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Opossums are nocturnal animals, which means they\u2019re most active at night. During the day, they spend their time in burrows or dens made of leaves and twigs. At night, they come out in search of food, including insects, fruits, and small rodents. Opossums can also be very territorial when it comes to foraging for food and will fiercely defend an area if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Possums Play Dead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When threatened by a predator or feeling cornered, opossums will often play dead as a defense mechanism. This behavior is known as &#8220;playing \u2018possum&#8221; and is actually quite effective in scaring away potential predators. It involves lying motionless on the ground with eyes closed while emitting a foul smell. This will usually make the predator think the opossum is dead and cause it to flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Opossums Reproduce Quickly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Opossums are also unique in that they have one of the shortest gestation periods of any mammal: as little as 12 days! Female opossums carry their young for about two months before giving birth to an average litter size of eight babies. These tiny bundles of fur will cling to their mother\u2019s back until they\u2019re big enough to explore on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Opossums are Usually Solitary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to interacting with other wildlife, opossums generally keep to themselves. However, if food sources become scarce or competition is fierce, they may be more likely to fight with neighboring animals such as raccoons or even small dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Opossums Do Not Carry Rabies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to popular belief, opossums are rarely carriers of the Rabies Virus. However, they can still spread other infectious diseases and parasites. These include Leptospirosis, fleas, Lyme disease, ticks, and cocido19 to both humans and animals. Furthermore, their saliva is known to contain a variety of pathogens which can cause skin infection in people with weakened immune systems. Though fortunately human illnesses from these creatures are comparatively rare. The opossum does help maintain healthy ecosystems by feeding on unhelpful insects as well ticks and snails that could otherwise spread illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Professional Opossum Removal and Control is Essential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find that an opossum has taken up residence on your property, it\u2019s important to remember they are a protected species and must not be harmed in any way. The best option is usually to employ humane methods of removal by contacting a licensed wildlife control company. Once the animal is removed, make sure to close off any potential entry points around the house so that no other opossums can get in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By understanding more about the behavior of opossums in the wild, we can work together towards creating a safe environment for these fascinating animals and their human neighbors. With a little bit of knowledge and patience, everyone can co-exist peacefully!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Are you dealing with frequent possum visitors to your property? Act now before they can cause any damage or pose any threat!<\/strong> Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Modern Wildlife Control<\/a> at 317-847-6409 for safe and effective <a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/types-of-wildlife\/opossum.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">opossum removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana<\/a>. Our wildlife removal services are humane, effective, and available for both residential and commercial clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/best-strategies-to-get-rid-of-opossums-around-your-property\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Strategies to Get Rid of Opossums Around Your Property<\/a><br><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/are-opossums-a-critter-control-problem-in-the-fall-and-winter\/\" target=\"_blank\">Are Opossums a Critter Control Problem in the Fall and Winter?<\/a><br><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/why-opossums-are-a-threat-to-your-property\/\" target=\"_blank\">Why Opossums are a Threat to Your Property<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The purpose of this blog post is to discuss the behavior of opossums in their natural habitat. We will cover topics such as the reason for their tendency to play dead when in danger and their relationships with other animals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/understanding-the-behavior-of-opossums-in-the-wild\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":385,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,18],"tags":[167,99,165,168,166,98,352,353,43,321],"class_list":["post-384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opossum-removal-and-control","category-wildlife-facts","tag-get-rid-of-opossums","tag-opossum-control","tag-opossum-diseases","tag-opossum-facts","tag-opossum-removal","tag-opossums","tag-playing-possum","tag-possum-removal","tag-wildlife-control","tag-wildlife-facts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":386,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384\/revisions\/386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernwildlifecontrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}