[Mister Da]

I believe I read somewhere that a possum's body temperature is too low to support the rabies virus. Rabies in a possum is rare.

[old curmudgeon]

Veterinarians have told me that it just does not happen.

[CholeraJoe]

I don’t know about the body temperature thing, but you are correct that rabies in possums is rare. In treating humans with wild animal bites, we are taught to assume that bites from skunks, bats, raccoons and foxes are contaminated with rabies and treat accordingly, unless the animal can be tested.

I’ll ping our resident veterinarian, Doug, for his opinion.

[goat granny]

Many different species have vastly different normal body temp. Dogs are higher than humans, so are lots of farm animals...We had a bad rabies outbreak in the rural county when I live...Had a horse and a cow get rabies and that was a first for me. I never thought of those animals getting rabies...Any animal can get it...

[Vinnie]

I believe I read somewhere that a possum's body temperature is too low to support the rabies virus. Rabies in a possum is rare.

I think you are correct.

Very unlikely the possum was rabid.

[sockmonkey]

Rabies in a possum is rare.

Agreed. Sometimes in hot dry weather Possums, especially if they are nursing a litter will venture out in the day looking for food or water. On the other hand, while rarely being rabid, Possums are a vector for Chagas Disease. yuck.