important role in the ecosystem . They are omnivores , meaning their diet consists of plants , berries , rodents , insects and other small animals . As predators , they help keep prey numbers in check and control pests . They also consume carrion ( dead animals ) and help clean up the environment .”
Opossums also eat snakes of all kinds . including venomous ones ! Because opossums are impervious to rattlesnake venom , researchers are trying to find a way to duplicate the very properties found within their immune system for human use as antivenom . Additionally , opossums are virtually immune to rabies because their normal body temperatures are too low for rabies to survive . So not only do they control the deer tick population , they mitigate the spread of other potential vermin-related diseases as well . They truly are beneficial creatures to have around .
Historically opossums have gotten a bum rap . Feared because
This remarkable image was captured one evening by Gregory Swann in his Alabama backyard on a security camera . He was lucky enough to be outdoors to witness the opossum gently grooming the deer for ticks . of their perceived ugliness , ratlike appearance , and nocturnal habits , humans have been catching and killing these marsupials since colonial times . But we have since learned that opossums are not , in fact , a critter to be feared or reviled . Nomadic and reclusive , they do not seek out altercations with humans . They are completely passive , falling into an involuntary comatose-like stupor , complete with drooling , gaping mouth and foul stench , when confronted by predators . But they pose no true threat to humans . All they require is a little underbrush or hole to live in , away from prying eyes .
When you take a moment to look past a startling first impression , you ’ ll find opossums are really quite cute . And if you are lucky enough to see a female , look carefully , for you may notice that she is carrying babies on her back ! Of course , like other marsupials , opossums start their newborn babies off in their pouches until they are large enough to hold onto their mama ’ s back .
Unfortunately , if you should find an opossum that has been injured or killed on the road , she may have young babies in her pouch . The babies could potentially be saved , however , by a local wildlife refuge , such as Second Chance Wildlife Center . ( Go to SCWC . org for details .)
If you take anything away from this article , it should be that opossums are beneficial to humans , and need not be feared , but rather seen as a blessing ! They won ’ t even try to steal your General Tso ’ s chicken , I promise .
For more information , or questions about opossums you can call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries ’ toll free wildlife helpline at 1-855- 571-9003 , or visit dwr . virginia . gov .
Well loved for her wit , and self deprecating style , popular local storyteller , Pamela Boe , lives with her family in the heart of Montgomery County ’ s Agricultural Reserve in Maryland . Entertaining locals in the Delmarva area for decades her background as a former paramedic , avid outdoorswoman , mother , wife , and lifelong accident-waiting-to-happen resonates with readers across the region .
40 wander I fall • winter 2020