If your state permits possum hunting, it is possible to walk around the yard and shoot the animals a couple of times at night. Playing dead During the day, opossums are easily surprised and may also appear confused or sluggish. In fact, they are more likely to fall down and play dead than fight. I feed possums at my property, even was able to pet and bring one in for a spell and then tragically today, one was dead on the road, went to see if it was one I fed and saw something move, one of her babies, eyes still not open, all the others were dead. Place the dead possum in a plastic garbage bag and tie the bag tightly. Now here is where it gets weird. What’s a baby opossum doing in my backyard all alone? Commonly after an hour, the ears of the Opossum start to move slightly. Also if its a female check the pouch towards their stomach for babies if none are located then Wear a pair of disposable plastic or rubber gloves to prevent direct skin contact with the dead possum. Opossums are by nature very docile, however, they have been known to attack in rare instances, especially if they feel threatened and need to defend themselves or their offspring. How to Get Rid Of Possums in Your Yard It’s quite simple to get rid of a possum if it took a fancy to your yard as shelter or a source of food. It was completely skinned. At Priority Pest Services, we get a lot of calls from people asking, “Why is there an opossum in my yard?” Do you have a nocturnal visitor that climbs along your fence and hangs around in your trees? How to Get Rid of an Opossum Control methods for backyard possum varies, with opossum repellents and trapping commonly used. While not dead, it can be found lying on its side with its legs extended and is, in fact, limp and unconscious during this time, like a person who has fainted. I just found a dead opossum in my yard. (This is where the saying, “playing possum” comes from.) (Opossum Problems and Solutions) Problem: There is an opossum in my yard. That's correct, your eyes don't deceive you; the best way to handle an opossum in your backyard or garden is to let nature run its course. What do I do? I’ve rescued possums about 6 years ago, their momma was attacked by a coyote. Also, there are a few different answers as to why you should let them stay put. This is your indicator to know that it's an actor :) After four hours of stiff ears, you can be pretty sure that you are looking down on a dead animal. Opossum are not aggressive: their open-mouth, defensive hissing is merely a bluff to look vicious. The opossum might look like a baby separated from its mother, but opossums start life on their own at a young age. The roof is twenty years old and partially covered with moss, where most of the damage is occurring. The backyard possum is considered an omnivore as well, feeding on fruits, nuts, insects, eggs and small animals like frogs and mice. I put it in a plastic lawn bag but I'm not sure whether I need to report & if so, to whom? It looked like there was some sort of fight in my yard, It looked like the opossum had been dragged about 25 feet across the yard to where I found it. Unanswered Questions How can you access to guests record to provide personalized and quality valet service These mimic rabies symptoms, but the pests are unlikely to carry the disease due to a low body temperature and high resistance. What animal would kill an opossum pull the skin off, and leave the animal uneaten? If there is an opossum in the yard, don't worry. And if that doesn’t work they play dead when really scared! For starters, these animals aren't rabid and they're probably more scared of you than you are of them. Why shouldn't you interfere? hissing opossum. Leave the opossum alone and enjoy watching wildlife in your own backyard. Symbolically what does it mean to find a dead possum in the basement? They aren’t a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while. The only safe thing you can do is wait. I have dogs & cats that have been out doors most of the day - I have no idea if any of them came into contact with this animal while it was alive or after it was dead. So I made a big mistake, I found a dead possum in my backyard and I probably found him within hours of his unlikely death however that may have been, and he didn't seem to suffer from any visible wounds. Why Is There An Opossum In My Yard? They "play possum" when they sense danger by falling over, salivating excessively, and appearing dead. They are not "playing" dead at all: the possum goes into shock when particularly stressed. Possums are famous for "playing dead" when threatened, but this isn't completely accurate. Is your dog barking at … Solution: Nothing. How to tell if an opossum is truly dead? Stupid me decided not to pick him up and throw him in the garbage I decided to take care of it on Monday when I did some yard work. I have possums in my back yard and lately the wood shingled roof on my gazebo is being attacked by a critter that is ripping off shingles with their claws, presumably eating insects living there.