It’s a startling sight: you’re taking out the trash at night and you meet a creature with a pointed snout, beady eyes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth, bared in a menacing grin. With a display like that, it’s natural to wonder if possums are dangerous.
The answer is a reassuring no. It is extremely rare for a possum to attack a human. A possum’s scary-looking threat display is almost entirely a bluff designed to scare predators away, not a sign of aggression.
Decoding the Possum’s “Threat Display”
When a possum feels cornered, it puts on a dramatic performance. It will often:
- Hiss, growl, or screech.
- Open its mouth wide to show off all 50 of its teeth (more than any other North American mammal).
- Drool excessively, making it look sick.
This entire act is a desperate attempt to look intimidating so that a potential threat—whether it’s you, a dog, or a coyote—will think twice and back off. The possum’s primary goal is to avoid a physical fight at all costs.
“Playing Possum”: The Ultimate Defense
If the scary bluff doesn’t work, the possum resorts to its most famous trick: playing dead. This is not a conscious choice but an involuntary reaction to extreme fear, similar to fainting. The possum will:
- Roll onto its side and become rigid.
- Lie with its mouth open and its tongue hanging out.
- Enter a comatose-like state where it can stay for minutes or even hours.
This convincing performance usually causes predators to lose interest and move on. It is the ultimate proof that these animals are built for avoidance, not aggression.
What About Rabies and Pets?
Two common fears about possums are easily put to rest.
- Rabies: It is incredibly rare for a possum to have rabies. They have a naturally low body temperature that makes it very difficult for the rabies virus to survive. The drooling often mistaken for rabies is simply part of their fear response.
- Pets: While a possum might bite a curious dog or cat in self-defense if it’s cornered, it will almost always try to flee or play dead first. The real danger in these encounters is usually to the possum. To be safe, always supervise your pets when they are outside at night.
Living Safely with Neighborhood Wildlife
While the American opossum isn’t found in Bangladesh, we have our own nocturnal wildlife, like civets, that may visit our gardens. The rules for coexisting are universal.
- Give Them Space: The most important rule. If you see a wild animal, leave it alone. It will almost always move on.
- Secure Food Sources: Keep lids on trash bins and don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
- Never Try to Handle Wildlife: Do not attempt to touch or capture any wild animal.
If you have a persistent problem with nuisance wildlife on your property in Dhaka, the safest and most effective solution is to call a professional. Contact the experts at Carepestcontrolbd.com for humane and effective wildlife management services.