Did you know that possums do not carry rabies?

[OneFineAcre]

I found out today. Unlikely or maybe impossible for them to contract because their body temp is lower. Maybe it's because they are marsupials?

LGD killed one in the goat pen and we were worried. LGD and all of our goats over 6 months old were vaccinated in June. But, we have 8 goats under 6 months and we were worried about exposure.

Called animal control and they told us that according to the State Vet they do not carry. Said that a person or dog could become infected with exposure to 1cc of fluid but for a possum it would take 10,000 cc's, hence unlikely if not impossible.

 

[Godsgrl]

Pretty neat, huh?

 

[OneFineAcre]

Pretty neat, huh?

I was just very surprised. I like learning new things though.

 

[elevan]

Huh. Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[HoneyDreameMomma]

That's great news! We have tons of possums around here. Rabies down, not attacking our poultry and taking over the cat shelter from our barn cats left to go. Any suggestions to keep them at bay? We keep all the animal feed in covered containers, and have a live animal trap that we bait when we have evidence they've been prowling in the barn.

 

[DiamondKKs]

Yes, because they are marsupials.

Top rabies reservoirs: Bats, then skunks and raccoons depending on where you are in the US.

 

[alsea1]

EPM carrier for equines

 

[RamblingCowgirl]

Yep, I used to have some as pets. Very neat animals. They even used a litter box.

Most of the time if you can scare them, they wont come back.

 

[goatboy1973]

Yes, because they are marsupials.

Top rabies reservoirs: Bats, then skunks and raccoons depending on where you are in the US.

Foxes are great carriers in E. TN along with skunks, raccoons, and bats.