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I have possums on my property and I want to be able to make them pets. Will a possum bite when approached by a human?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
if felt threatened they will play dead if that doesnt work they will switch to attack mode
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Will a possum walk up to a human on its own?
No. True possums, native to Australia and nearby islands, will not walk up to a human on their own. Humans can usually approach them up to a certain point, but when humans get too close, the possums will quickly retreat.
Does a human depend on possums?
No, there are human alive in places of the world where there are no possums.
Are possums safe?
Possums are not dangerous. True possums - the marsupials found in many parts of Australia - are very docile creatures and just want to be left alone. If trapped, like any other animal, they become scared for their life and will defend themselves. Other than that, just give them a way out and they will take it. There is no reason to ever fear a possum. They are a very clean, disease free animal, although they are known to harbour ticks and fleas, and pose more of a danger to domestic pets than to people.
What is the human impact on opossum?
Humans have impacted significantly on the Mountain pygmy possum's habitat. One of the main threats to the mountain pygmy possum is the human interference as a result of the possum's habitat coinciding with the location of Australia's main ski resorts. The possum's habitat is broken up by ski runs. Skiing and similar human recreational activities are a threat to this delicate creature. Humans have also introduced animals such as wild cats and foxes which are also a problem. They prey on this small possum. Another major threat to their survival is the fact that humans have introduced the blackberry species which are gradually making their insidious way up the slopes of the mountains, choking out native species, and thus threatening the mountain pygmy possum's food source.
How large does a Texas possum grow?
It depends on the species. The largest possum species of all is the cuscus, the males of which may have a body length of 60cm and a weight of 6kg. The largest species of common possum, the brushtail possum, has a body length of about 55cm, and a tail length of some 40cm. Males can weigh up to 3.5 kg. On the other hand, an adult male mountain pygmy possum weighs only about 45 grams and easily fits into a human adult's hand. Note that possums are not the same as opossums.
What do possums look like?
There are about 70 known species of possums. Possums range in size from being as small as an adult human's finger (e.g. pygmy possums), to just over one metre in length, tail included (e.g. brushtail and ringtail possums). Their fur ranges in colour from grey to brown-grey, with some varieties having a russet colour. The Western Pygmy Possum is a bright cinnamon colour. Possums have long, thick, furry tails which are used for balancing. Their tails are not truly prehensile, but they do help them grip electric wires and narrow tree branches. The brush-tailed possum has a distinctive, thick tail while the ring-tail possum's tail is thinner, with a distinctive curl. Possums are arboreal; they are adept climbers with sharp claws, and they also use their front claws to grasp and hold food. Note that possums are completely different animals from the opossum of North America, and a not even in the same family.
What are facts about possums?
They always get hit by cars in the night and they like trash cans.
What is the average weight of a possum?
It depends on the species. The largest possum species of all is the cuscus, which may have a body length of 60cm and a weight of 3kg to 6kg. The largest species of common possum, the brushtail possum, has a body length of about 55cm, and a tail length of some 40cm. It weighs between 1.2kg and 3.5 kg. On the other hand, an adult mountain pygmy possum weighs only about 45 grams and easily fits into a human adult's hand. Note that possums are not the same as opossums.
Are possums dangerous?
No. Possums are not dangerous.The possum is unlikely to attack a human being unless it feels it is left with no other choice. The possum is giving away both height and reach and knows it is likely to come off worse in a fight with a human. Usually it will 'play dead' if it is caught unawares. The best advice is to go along with the possum's game and leave the little chicken alone safe in the knowledge he knows who's boss. That way nobody gets bitten.Clarification:Only the North American opossum plays dead.True possums - the marsupials found in many parts of Australia - do not play dead, but they will scratch or bite if cornered. They are very docile creatures and just want to be left alone. If trapped, like any other animal, they become scared for their life and will defend themselves. Other than that, just give them a way out and they will take it. There is no reason to ever fear a possum. They are a very clean, disease free animal, although they are known to harbour ticks and fleas, and pose more of a danger to domestic pets than to people.Incidentally, the "playing dead" strategy is not a choice - it is a physiological defence over which the opossum has no control. It is not trying to show anyone "who's boss" - it is an instinctive defence mechanism.
Can possums pass ticks or fleas to a human?
Yes, any animal with fur can.
What is a sentence using the word timidly?
She timidly approached the stage, unsure of how the audience would react.
Why are possums so aggressive?
Possums are not aggressive and they do not attack. True possums - the marsupials found in many parts of Australia - are docile creatures and just want to be left alone. If trapped, like any other animal, they become scared for their life and will defend themselves, but they do not attack. Possums are quite different creatures to opossums.
