Are Opossums Aggressive?

340six · May 19, 2017

The one i have here jumped me the other night. The internet says they are not but that sucker jumped me mouth open and hissing.
When the wife or I would see it before it would run away.
It did finally run off! Man I could see my self at the ER getting a bite cleaned up and shots for god knows what!

nolaboy · May 19, 2017

340six said:
The one i have here jumped me the other night. The internet says they are not but that sucker jumped me mouth open and hissing.
When the wife or I would see it before it would run away.
It did finally run off! Man I could see my self at the ER getting a bite cleaned up and shots for god knows what!

Maybe if cornered. They bark but don't really bite. The hiss is a defense mechanism right before they play dead.

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Firearmfanatic · May 19, 2017

Around my area, we quickly put some lead in its head very shortly after one decides to give us a hiss!

Of course, we live in the country and dont have to worry about any ordinances!

nolaboy · May 19, 2017

Actually I don't even think they will fight when cornered. If so it's very little. An exception might be a mom protecting her cubs. My dog used to get a hold of them all the time and they would go from hiss to play dead almost instantly. Theyd play dead until my dog got bored or they expired. We would assume it expired if it was still laying in the same spot the next morning.

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Bigchillin83 · May 19, 2017

I have seen some be aggressive, but 99% of they time they prefer to play Opposume....

DBMJR1 · May 19, 2017

Firearmfanatic said:
Around my area, we quickly put some lead in its head very shortly after one decides to give us a hiss!
Of course, we live in the country and dont have to worry about any ordinances!

I live in New Orleans. We don't have to worry about the police responding to gunfire either.

Firearmfanatic · May 19, 2017

DBMJR1 said:
I live in New Orleans. We don't have to worry about the police responding to gunfire either.

I understand and hear that! :mamoru:

snipehunter7 · May 19, 2017

DBMJR1 said:
I live in New Orleans. We don't have to worry about the police responding to gunfire either.

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dougstump · May 19, 2017

They can but up a good show, but they'll usually run. Unless they have rabies.....

jlee · May 19, 2017

We had a family take up residence under my lawnmower in the garage. They kept hissing at the dog and then at me when I went to evict them. Lead wasn't an initial option due to them being in the garage, but after the two babies were dispatched, the momma tried to jump out at me and my neighbor.

In the end, all three were relocated to a happier place. I was mostly worried about the dog getting bit or scratched because she wasn't letting up. They may not be aggressive, but if you back anything into a corner the unexpected is bound to happen.

Hermit · May 19, 2017

I haven't encountered any aggressive ones,
but they don't chase away; they stand their
ground and hiss. When I come across one,
I scoop it up in a landing net and toss him
in the field across the street. Surprisingly,
they don't just come back right away.

bigtattoo79 · May 19, 2017

DBMJR1 said:
I live in New Orleans. We don't have to worry about the police responding to gunfire either.

Thanks! First time I've laughed today.

KDerekT83 · May 19, 2017

opossums aren't normally aggressive, but if they're defending babies/home or feel threatened they can be a handful to handle.

At my parents house ( Back end of Belle Chasse ), we see coyote, opossum, armdaillo, snakes, etc... you name it. Me and my dad shoot on sight, no questions asked. after we called PPSO and alerted them so no eyebrows were raised if gunshots were reported, they told us, not to bother calling anymore, they remember who we are. lol.... we keep a "high powered" pellet gun, (.177 at 1200fps) and a 5.56AR right by the back door at all times. lol...

Magdump · May 20, 2017

They look slow, but corner one and poke him. He'll likely look away and open his mouth. Go in for another poke and you'll never see it coming. I ain't saying they're as bad as a mad coon, but check them teeth.
Word of advice, as easy as it is to sneak up on a fat possum and as tempting as it is to give him a good crow hopping punt, better to pick up a stick before ya break yer foot.

#1bambam · May 20, 2017

dougstump said:
They can but up a good show, but they'll usually run. Unless they have rabies.....

Are we still talking about NOPD or are we back to possums?

LACamper · May 20, 2017

LOL!

I had a possum stand up to my (130 lb) doberman years ago... I was a afraid the possum was sick so decided to pull the dog inside. That was one strong dog!

dougstump · May 20, 2017

#1bambam said:
Are we still talking about NOPD or are we back to possums?

Yes!

Request Dust Off · May 20, 2017

In my experience they are faster than I expected. I think they won't run until needed and sure running will work. They may have poor eyesight or something as they seem to not be 100% aware fully out in the open and visible and rely on stillness as hiding totally in the open.

I have seen a cat that got into it with a possum. Cat got ripped open pretty good.

I hear you put a honey bun in a garbage can, then ramp a plank up on the can rim the possum will walk the plank to the honey bun and go for it. Then it can't get up out of the can.

I'm pretty sure I have seen DBMJR1 on another forum alluding to him having a recipe for possum . . .

DBMJR1 · May 21, 2017

Request Dust Off said:
In my experience they are faster than I expected. I think they won't run until needed and sure running will work. They may have poor eyesight or something as they seem to not be 100% aware fully out in the open and visible and rely on stillness as hiding totally in the open.

I have seen a cat that got into it with a possum. Cat got ripped open pretty good.

I hear you put a honey bun in a garbage can, then ramp a plank up on the can rim the possum will walk the plank to the honey bun and go for it. Then it can't get up out of the can.

I'm pretty sure I have seen DBMJR1 on another forum alluding to him having a recipe for possum . . .

The secret is to catch the critter alive and feed it cat food for a week.

rcm192 · May 21, 2017

DBMJR1 said:
The secret is to catch the critter alive and feed it cat food for a week.

Why?

Are Opossums Aggressive?

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