Opossium: When was the last time you saw one of these in the daytime.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

When was the last time you saw one of these in the daytime.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Be Careful....
Any nocturnal that is out and about during the day AND isnt skiddish and scared of humans must be suspected of being rabid. Trust me 8 injections over 28 days IS NOT worth getting the "shot" (pun intended)

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Great advice - good shot

HeartGem

I live in the country and feed the birds and animals. I've had 'possums come to the feeding stations in the daytime quite consistently, especially the young ones. They can get quite tame. It always pays to be cautious, learn the symptoms of rabies. I've had the series of shots and they are very painful. But I won't allow that to stop me from enjoying and photographing the wildlife in our area, I just use a telephoto lens whenever possible!

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

HeartGem wrote:

I live in the country and feed the birds and animals. I've had 'possums come to the feeding stations in the daytime quite consistently, especially the young ones. They can get quite tame. It always pays to be cautious, learn the symptoms of rabies. I've had the series of shots and they are very painful. But I won't allow that to stop me from enjoying and photographing the wildlife in our area, I just use a telephoto lens whenever possible!

:thumbup:

blueeyes3515 Loc: WV

Great shot! But beware..

roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca

Acountry330 wrote:

When was the last time you saw one of these in the daytime.

Beware of nocturnal animals in the daytime. It sometimes
indicates rabies. 'Possums, contrary to popular belief,
are not major carriers because their body temperature
does not support the bacteria as well.

Photobuff Loc: East-central Illinois

HeartGem wrote:

I live in the country and feed the birds and animals. I've had 'possums come to the feeding stations in the daytime quite consistently, especially the young ones. They can get quite tame. It always pays to be cautious, learn the symptoms of rabies. I've had the series of shots and they are very painful. But I won't allow that to stop me from enjoying and photographing the wildlife in our area, I just use a telephoto lens whenever possible!

We also get them around in the day here in Illinois. The second one got into our open garage and was stuck behind the shelving. I had to get a long-handled broom to tilt it away from the wall so he/she could get out.

Possum in the garden, October

Stuck in the garage!

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

We have them on the half - shell. Or Arma-possom

queita77

Possums do not carry rabies. Their body temperature is too low. And I see them nearly every day here in Central Florida, daylight and dark.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

queita77 wrote:

Possums do not carry rabies. Their body temperature is too low. And I see them nearly every day here in Central Florida, daylight and dark.

According to CDC, they are a vector for rabies. Ive been in emergency care for 32 years. If you get exposed, you're getting the series! Quik literature searches showed several references to rabies in autopsied oppossums in Virginia (6 cases in the 1989-1999 decade), as well as Alabama, Florida, Tennessee to name only a few. Occurrence is rarer than in many other mammals but its bad policy and dangerous to assume theyre rabies free. Most states mandate domestic animals bitten by or exposed to oppossum saliva to be quarantined if not vaccinated.

queita77

Here's what I found . . .

Terrestrial rabies in the United States is most common in raccoons on the eastern coast and in skunks, foxes, coyotes, and dogs on the Texas-Mexico border. Canine rabies and bat rabies are significant problems in Mexico and around the world. (Opossums are rarely infected and are not considered a likely risk for exposure).