The Helpful Opossum

[douglas9]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented nearly 60,000 cases of tickborne disease within the United States in 2018. Tick populations have been rising, resulting in an increased spread of tickborne illness, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

With the return of warm weather, there is one unsung hero of the animal kingdom that helps keep the environmental tick levels down. The humble Virginia opossum, America’s only marsupial, kills nearly 95% of ticks that cross their path. It is estimated that a single opossum is capable of eating an estimated 5,000 ticks every season!

Along with helping keep tick populations under control, the Virginia opossum provides numerous benefits to the environment that might be overlooked by the general public.


https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlife/2019/06/05/the-helpful-opossum-2/

[North Shore Chicago]

1. +1

Such gentle spirits.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. They're moving north.

I've started seeing them around here (Minneapolis) in the last few years - even in my back yard. I think they're weirdly cute and they're welcome to all the ticks they can find.

[tblue37]

3. Check out the great "Proper Opossum" channel on YouTube. It's funny:

Here are a couple of her videos:

https://m.

https://m.

[Solly Mack]

4. That's why I never shoo them away. I also find them cute.

[lastlib]

5. YAY, Possums!!

I try not to run over them if I can possibly avoid it safely.

[question everything]

6. Couple of years ago would come to our porch to get shelled peanuts

even in the middle of winter. Especially in the middle of winter

[wackadoo wabbit]

7. I love opossums

Unfortunately, it's apparently too hot for them in Arizona.