[MineralMan]

"Well, if you've ever had a possum hiss at you unexpectedly, you'd kill it with a shovel, too.
"

Why? Opossum's are pretty much the most inoffensive wild animal that visits our homes. They don't bite. They don't attack dogs and cats. They just walk around, mostly at night. Harmless critters.

[dwilli]

If they have become protected, will we start seeing "Possum Crossing" signs on the highway?

[Conservababe]

Yes, yes, I grew up in Louisiana. I know possums. They are so cute lined up on a tree limb hanging by their tails in order of size, sleeping.

But, at night, if you happen to run across one unexpectedly, the hiss will raise the hair on your head.

LOL

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"They just walk around, mostly at night. Harmless critters."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

You've never cornered a possum, I gather. lol!!

This story reminded me of something that happened a number of years ago. Seems...I woke up one early, early morning to our dog barking that bark..that say's this is serious!! ( vbg ) I went out the back door towards the corner of the yard...where "Buddy" was madly barking. When I got there...I still couldn't see what Buddy was so worked up about....I moved closer. Apparently too close...as out rushed this hissing, head full of sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight...As I skipped and hopped backwards...( and as things will be...I was barefoot..) I stepped right into the biggest dog pile in the yard. With the dog doo squeezing up thru my toes I ran as fast as I could to the backdoor...with the dog now behind and chasing the possum...and the half crazed & scared possum chasing me....spitting, hissing..and looking like some nuclear accident Tasmanian Devil..!!!

Oh...twas a night to remember!! LOL!!

FRegards,

[Malsua]

>>They don't bite.<<

Bullschiesse they don't bite. I have a 1/4 scar on the inside of my left thumb where one of these "non biting" critters bit thru my leather glove.

These roadkill feeders are pretty pathetic and disgusting animals. They are also very "greasy" when you skin them. Coons are too, but possums are exceptionally nasty.

In the late 70s I used to trap and there's nothing worse than having a possum wreck a nice set. Then you have to reboil the trap, re-dye it and re-wax it. It's a big pita.
Then after all this work and skinning the stupid thing, the hide guy only gives you a buck for it.
They always got one of those "This*whack*is*whack*what*whack*you*whack*get*whack*for*whack*ruining*whack*my*whack*set*Whack*whack*Die already*whack*whack*C'mon dammit die*whack*whack*Sheesh*Whack.

I have a really disturbing tale about this one possum that just refused to die, but I'll spare everyone. heh.

[Roscoe]

They don't attack dogs and cats.

They'll eat kittens.

[HangThemHigh]

"Opossums ... Harmless critters. "

What's more, their body temperature is not high enough to support the rabies virus, in the unlikely event you are dumb & slow enough to get bitten (a dimocrat, maybe?)