They’re a little bit creepy and have something of a bad reputation, but did you know that opossums actually do a lot of good things for you? The only marsupial native to North America, these clever creatures have a lot going for them. Read on to find out more about how opossums help people.
First, a clarification: a possum and an opossum are not the same thing, though the term is used interchangeably in the US. The original word opossum was adapted from the native Algonquian term for “white animal” by 17th century explorer John Smith. The “o” was dropped and added indiscriminately but, technically, the North American animal is an opossum, while true possums are a similar animal found in Australia.
One service that opossums provide is pest control. They can (and do) eat almost anything, including snails and slugs, which is helpful to your garden. Plus, by eating up common food sources for rats and cockroaches, it sends those unwanted pests packing. It’s not unusual for an opossum to kill these competitors either.
Despite their somewhat frightening appearance, which includes a mouthful of sharp teeth, they are relatively safe to be around. Unlike their cuter counterpart, the raccoon, opossums are almost immune to rabies. They are also very resistant to distemper. These animals are quite docile and are not likely to attack or bite unless threatened. Another way opossums help people is by eating ticks. By consuming these insects rather than providing a place for them to breed and spread, opossums help to curb the spread of lyme disease.
Fun fact: Opossums have excellent memories and are good problem solvers. Their intelligence is thought to surpass that of dogs and be on the level of pigs. To sum up, these cute critters are a non-destructive species. Opossums don’t dig into your trash or pull up your flowers, chew on electrical wires, or attack domestic pets. Plus, they help protect you from the spread of dangerous diseases. Next time you see an opossum creeping along your back fence at night, give that little guy a thumbs up and let him go on about his business of keeping you safe.
Featured Image from Jennifer Uppendahl/Unsplash
