Out For A Sunday Stroll

[smoke665]

We get some visitors every now and then. This guy wandered up on us while walking today, didn't seem to care in the least we were there.
no-image-available-grid.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

 

[Tinstafl129 126]

Today you would need to have skis around me to do a sunday stroll. I wonder if he or she is immune to people now

 

[smoke665]

Today you would need to have skis around me to do a sunday stroll. I wonder if he or she is immune to people now

We live in the middle of 40 acres of woods, plus neighboring woods on three sides, so no people around for him to be exposed to. They're generally non-aggressive unless you get to close, and usually meander away from you quickly. This one didn't which was a little concerning.

 

[KJ_North]

Cute little fella!

 

[denum131 156]

We live in the middle of 40 acres of woods, plus neighboring woods on three sides, so no people around for him to be exposed to. They're generally non-aggressive unless you get to close, and usually meander away from you quickly. This one didn't which was a little concerning.

I heard some rustling about, just outside of my bedroom window, one night so I got up to see what it was about. Found two of them on top of my fence having some sort of standoff. I shooed them away and they just slowly walked away...not concerned with my presence in the least.

 

[Jeff1562 62]

Nice, but what is it ..... ??

 

[smoke665]

@Jeff15 here in our area they're colloquially called "Possums", though technically they are N. American Opossums with a hairless tail. Some say Appalachian Possum Stew is good, though Ive never "knowingly" tried it.

 

[DanOstergren35]

I know a lot of people think they're hideous, but I think Virginia opossums are really cute. Did you know that due to their low body temperature it is very rare for them to contract rabies? They have a slight immunity to pit viper venom (rattlesnakes and cottonmouths). They also often play dead instead of fleeing from people, and shows of aggression (typically just hissing and drooling) are most often a bluff. That said, it's still probably best not to handle them lol.

 

[smoke665]

That said, it's still probably best not to handle them

Yup, they have a lot of teeth and given their opportunistic diet, a mouth full of bacteria, a bite can very easily lead to infections.

 

[DanOstergren35]

Yup, they have a lot of teeth and given their opportunistic diet, a mouth full of bacteria, a bite can very easily lead to infections.

50 to be exact! More than any other land mammal in North America.

 

[terri48 19]

Adorable. I happen to think they're wonderful, and it's their general mellow, slow moving nature that I like.

We have them around up here, too - not nearly as many as we had in Texas. In Texas we used to put out half an apple each night and sit on the deck and watch one waddle over and get it, then waddle off to the shrubbery to munch away.

Cheap entertainment.

 

[DanOstergren35]

Adorable. I happen to think they're wonderful, and it's their general mellow, slow moving nature that I like.

We have them around up here, too - not nearly as many as we had in Texas. In Texas we used to put out half an apple each night and sit on the deck and watch one waddle over and get it, then waddle off to the shrubbery to munch away.

Cheap entertainment.

I want one. I know better because I am not equipped to care for a wild animal, but I've met domesticated rescues, and they're very sweet. They're pudgey, the waddle is adorable, they're affectionate, and they drool when they're really happy. They also keep themselves very clean.

I know I'm kinda going on and on about them, but I just really love these animals.

 

[terri48 19]

I want one. I know better because I am not equipped to care for a wild animal, but I've met domesticated rescues, and they're very sweet. They're pudgey, the waddle is adorable, they're affectionate, and they drool when they're really happy. They also keep themselves very clean.

I know I'm kinda going on and on about them, but I just really love these animals.

I'm a big fan, as well! Apparently a lot of folks out there have domesticated them, so they're quite trainable.

 

[smoke665]

@DanOstergren & @terri Over the years growing up on a farm there was always an assortment of critters, but never any possums. I raised a few litters of skunks back in the early 60s, once the Kits were descented they made great pets, easily bringing a couple hundred each. Also had a couple of raccoons, that lived in a converted dog house and had free roam.

 

[jeffashman23 7]

Wonderful shot! We have them around here and they are very chill.
LilPossum01 by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr