Is this a mole? Possum? I don't think it is a gopher, though I'm pretty sure I have gophers as well. Something definitely is eating my plant roots and has consumed zucchini plants, pole beans, bush beans, marigolds, okra plants, tomato's. Is it this guy? I found him in my grapes? It's hard to tell if he was eating them or not?
I thought when I saw it that it was a possum, and it appears I'm right.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dpossum&h=418&w=485&imgcurl=tvindy.typepad.com%2Ftvindy%2Fimages%2Fpossum.jpg&imgurl=tvindy.typepad.com%2Ftvindy%2Fimages%2Fpossum.jpg&size=33.1kB&name=possum.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftvindy.typepad.com%2Ftvindy%2F2005%2F09%2Fpossum.html&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftvindy.typepad.com%2Ftvindy%2F2005%2F09%2Fpossum.html&p=possum&type=jpeg&no=2&tt=68%2C310&fr=slv1-twc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum
http://opossum.craton.net/
It's an opossum. Looks like it might be a young one. They are omnivores so he would probably LOVE grapes. Not sure which, if any, of the veggies he'd eat. I have them in my yard sometimes at night, too.
If you have any bird feeders, suit cages, etc, they also love all of those types of things.
THank you. What fast responses. The image links that White_hydrangia posted were good. I had found some other images of possums that left me unsure. This must be the guy that's chewing on my lettuce leaves, but not the one that's consuming the plant roots from underneath and killing the plants. I guess if I don't like him there, one option is to take him away and put him somewhere else.
Nataraj
Here's a link to the UC Davis IPM site for 'possums.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74123.html
Althought they are not native to the west coast, I've noticed that the ones out here have a somewhat different colouration (more taupe that grey) to allow them to blend in to our native background colours.
They do seem to come in a variety of colors. Although most of ours are greyish, I have one in my yard that is almost white (but not an albino). Most of the information I've seen on them indicates a color range including grey, beige, near white, etc.
Oh Lucky You! Congratulations on your visitor. How neat that you were able to get a photograph too. I hope he/she comes back.
Yea, the possums don't seem to be that shy. I've had several just walk right up to me. I took that photo with a flash at about 10pm.
Nataraj
Ewwww yuck... it's definitely a possum.... errrr..... large rat with hair. This is probably the one and only animal in this world that I do not like. They have very long teeth and just will not move if you try to chase them away... i.e., playing possum!
Be careful, and stay your distance. These critters carry some nasty diseases.
Yep, I hate 'em. Sorry Equil!
Just a mention, that it's our only marsupial.
In defense of the humble opossum, they really are benign creatures. Yes, they have lots of large teeth; but in years of working with and around them, I never had one even try to bite me. When they're not in your garden, they serve a very useful function as scavengers and clean-up crew. OK, they're not attractive and they don't smell wonderful; but that's hardly their fault, is it?
Not attactive? I think they are kind of cute.
How could anyone hate something so cute as an opossum? They're adorable, they're certainly not aggressive, and they don't carry nearly as many diseases as feral cats.
I've dealt with cats all my life--feral, wild, stray, shelter, and housepet--and I've never gotten so much as a flea from them. Cats are quite clean.
I had one that lived behind my house when I was in college in indiana. I first saw her in winter and yes she smelled like walking dead. I fed her dog kibble throughout the winter and quit putting out food in Spring. She disappeared and I never smelled er saw her again.
X
Hey X, nice college pet. You have good taste in your critters unlike some (Mark). tee he.
Unfortunately ( I think) most of the possums we see here and in the mountains are in the form of road kill because they play possum.
If you ever came across a mother with her babies hanging upside down I bet you would think they were cute.They don't do any damage that I know of and are certainly not as bothersome as grey squirrels.
Hey downscale_babe, just a few thoughts since you run across so many that are dead and hopefully spartacusaby will jump in and comment too but... don't think I'm nuts... I'm not the only one who does this... please check dead opossums for young. It's not that hard to do. Flip them over and expose the abdomen. Check the pouch. It will be soft to the touch because it's fur lined. If there are any young, they will be in the pouch and incredibly some babies do survive a car hit but they are left to die on the road of starvation tucked safely in the pouch. If you find any young, you could contact a wildlife rehabber or try caring for them yourself which isn't that hard. I think if you do a search here you will find countless other members who have raised juvenile opossums who would help.
Yes, opossums do get fleas just like cats. Just like a cat, they also can carry Leptospirosis which is transmittted through urine and feces so if you are handling the dead animal, don't smoke a cigarette or stick your hands anywhere near your mouth until you have washed them. I must admit I keep a box of gloves in the trunk of my car and a shovel. I don't normally bother with the gloves but I do use the shovel to move road kill off to the side of the road so I can check the pouch and also so that the Turkey Vultures don't get whacked feeding on a dead opossum.
Sadly, one of the reasons why so many of them get hit by vehicles is because they are carrion eaters. Although this does help keep neighborhoods nice and clean, it means they are often hit by vehicles as they feed on or along roadways. The other problem is that their pupils don't contract all that well so they literally get blinded by headlights. Add to this that they don't move all that fast and it spells disaster.
Opossums eat cockroaches- this is a good thing.
Opossums eat slugs- this is an even betther thing.
Thank you so much for your answer.I will try to do this.I remember reading about a woman raising possums in our local newspaper.
Spartacusaby can help you when you find something but I could too. Let me tell you something, the first time you find live babies, your heart will be racing because there is a shock element that any live creature could have survived a vehicle hit. From there you cradle them in your own clothing next to your body for heat and run home with your gift on loan from God. I only found them once but that one time has made me always check when I can. I can certainly be found on the side of the road in heels and hose before work or on my way home from work. We see about one dead opossum every 2-3 weeks. Not as frequently as you do so I suspect your chances are better than mine of saving babies.
Here's a few more photos:
Whoops, it doesn't post the picture unless I type a message ...
Another ...
and another ...
And from the back ...
Don't you just love their little feet? I don't know if you knew this but they can carry things with their tails.
Great photos and sooo cute. I used to have a family in my yard. They are such sweet, timid creatures that seem to just want to be left alone. They clean up any carrion and overripe fruits and are a good animal to have in the yard. You're so lucky to have one.
I couldn't resist jumping in on this thread. Last year I had two baby opossums in my utility room. Each one was small enough to sit in a person's hand ( although I don't recommend picking them up). I kept cat food and water in there for them for, I think, three months, until they were big enough to defend themselves and they left. Early on, they ate canned cat food. Later, they ate dry. They would spend the daylight hours sleeping behind the washing machine. If you ever get a chance, look at their feet. All four feet (hands) have thumbs. If you check dead opossums for surviving babies, though, please be absolutely certain that they are dead. They are docile creatures unless they feel threatened, and they do consider humans a threat. And remember, they are not related to rats in any way. Opossums are marsupials, related to kangaroos.
Such a cutie,especially his/her little pink nose.
Nataraj, the possum looks like he/she is looking for something in the soil around your plants. Have you seen this lovely creature actually eating your crop, or could he be eating your snail and slugs?
Hmmm ... As far as I know, I don't have any slugs or snails yet, I usually don't see those until it starts raining. I don't think they thrive in the 100 degree temperatures. There is a small population of ants and earwigs, but that's pretty diminished now.
I have not seen the possum actually eating anything. I wish he would eat the gophers.
I think the birds are who is eating my lettuces, spinach, arugala etc. I know they are eating the grapes. I've realized that after I foliar sprayed with the brix mix which has fish in it, it really attracts the birds. I've added more shade netting on the side facing the mountain, where most of the birds seem to come from, to see if that helps. I could completely net them if I need to, but that makes watering and harvesting more difficult.
Nataraj
Well,,, yup.... cute.... maybe in the eye of the beholder LOL! I still don't like them and they can stay out of my yard. I have a dog and he is a hunter. I've learned NEVER to call animal control to take care of a dog-bit possum because even though the dog is in HIS OWN yard and has ALL his shots, animal control will quarantine the dog to the property for 90 days and then require the owner to take the dog to the vet for a once over AND provide paperwork back to animal control. All for being a nice person and hoping animal control would come euthanize the poor possum. We take care of it ourselves now... it's cheaper.
Don't get me wrong,,,, I'm a HUGE animal lover but the two things I can't stand are rats and possums... and right after that, it's my neighbors who don't pick up after their fruit trees (oranges) and let the fruit rot on the ground (which both rats and possums love to eat). I'm tired of scooping up possum carcasses .
Are you sure they quarantine a domestic animal bitten by an opossum by you? Opossums just flat out aren't a reservoir for rabies? What about owners who can prove their animals were current on all shots? Do their animals have to be quarantined too? Something is strange down there in Florida.
Equi - Neither of my dogs were even bitten and they quarantined them. It was purely a precaution... one that was expensive to me though! My vet even shook his head with wonder and frustration LOL!! Doesn't matter now, that was several years ago and I don't report ANYTHING to animal control now. I use to report a rich lawyer neighbor for animal abuse... he had a emaciated female dog... outside all the time... who had pups that were old enough to tunnel under the fence and play in the street. The pups and mom were starving and looking for food (all very skinny and boney). The owner would open a window and throw half-eaten sandwiches out for the dog and left all the paper plates lying in the yard (and from the looks of her, that was all he fed her). Animal control never did anything to the guy. The momma dog would get out and start wandering... she'd end up over at my place (probably smelled my dogs). I'd tie her up and call animal control and they'd just take the dog down the street to the rich guys house and tie her up to his house door knob. Useless. Yes, there are not enough animal control officers and yes, they are probably not paid enough... but why even exist if you don't DO anything at all??
Sorry... this is WAY off topic... I'll get off my soap box now LOL :-)
Equil, although possums have more resistance to rabies, they can get it, it's just not common. The only rabid possum I've encountered in my life was when I lived in Miami, FL. It was in the final throes of the disease, frothing at the mouth and being generally vicious until we could put it out of its misery.
My opinion of the animal control officers in FL matches yours LAK - they didn't care about people's pets in any way shape or form and were very ignorant about animals. We had a neighbourhood teenager trespass into our yard and beat our German Shepard with a stick. The dog bit the boy in the arm in self defense. The boy had a small puncture wound, no stitches required. Our dog was hooked to a cable run IN OUR YARD and had several teeth broken by the stick and many bruises. We were forced to put our gentle, beloved pet down as a "vicious animal". The boy proceeded to become a worse juvenile deliquent and then went on to be jailed for harder crimes as an adult. Who was the vicious animal? OK, I'll get off my soap box now.
Hey LAKelley2, Really sorry about what happened, with what I know (your vet probably explained why he was shaking his head to you already), it defies logic that they quarantined your dogs over an opossum bite. What a waste of tax payers dollars.
Hey garden_mermaid, Yes, they can be susceptible to infection however... they are a marsupial and their body temps as well as I believe their saliva and a few other factors play heavily into the equation. I don't think they've ever been deemed a natural reservoir to date by the scientific community but maybe there is information to the contrary out there now?
I am a bit freaked out about the thought of taking baby possums out of a dead mama's pouch. If I have nightmares tonight I am blaming EQ.
I don't mind possums around but I prefer to stay away from road kill. :- )
Blame me, nanner nanner nanner! ;) Aside from that, you think you wouldn't be able to do it but you would. I was sort of checking them only because somebody else I knew had started checking and had found babies safe and sound inside a pouch. I felt guilt at never having thought to check so I started checking never in a million years ever expecting to find anything live. I can not describe to you the adrenaline rush of actually finding life on the road like that. Your hyper drive will kick in and all focus for the next hour will be on finding KMR and syringes with nipples to be able to feed them. I can't describe it but they are some of the most beautiful little babies you've ever seen with those tiny little perfectly formed feet and those long mickey mouse snouts. Really hard to put into words. I can also tell you that when they are old enough to go bye bye, you will be relieved they are gone. They are a lot of work just like any other orphaned animal.
Equil, I have read that some scientists consider the marsupial's body temperature too low to support the rabies virus, yet documented cases of rabid possums do exist - all in hot climates. It is possible that very hot climates, like south Florida where the nights are not much cooler than the day temperatures, can raise the animals body temperature sufficiently to make them more susceptible. Perhaps the diet in these areas alters the blood or saliva pH as well.
