10/16/2026
OPOSSUMS: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION!
Virginia’s only native marsupial, the Virginia opossum, is one of the most misunderstood animals we encounter in wildlife control. You’ve probably heard that they’re immune to rabies, eat thousands of ticks, and play dead when threatened.
But how much of that is actually true?
✅ FACT: Opossums are marsupials! Just like kangaroos, mother opossums carry their developing young in a pouch. Once they’re old enough, the babies can often be seen riding on mom’s back!
❌ MYTH: Opossums cannot get rabies. While rabies is relatively uncommon in opossums, they are NOT immune. In fact, during a recent Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources presentation, data from the 2025 reporting year showed that 45 opossums were submitted for rabies testing, and TWO tested positive! That’s an important reminder that uncommon doesn’t mean impossible.
❌ MYTH: Opossums eat thousands of ticks every week. You’ve probably seen this claim circulating online. However, more recent scientific research has challenged it. One study examining the stomach contents of 32 wild opossums found NO ticks or tick remains. While opossums may occasionally ingest ticks while grooming, there’s little evidence supporting the popular claim that they’re nature’s ultimate tick-control machines.
✅ FACT: Playing possum is real! When severely threatened, opossums may enter an involuntary, death-like defensive state. It’s not simply an act they consciously perform!
✅ FACT: Opossums are nature’s cleanup crew! They’re opportunistic omnivores that consume insects, fruit, small animals, and carrion, helping recycle organic material in the environment.
The takeaway? Opossums are fascinating animals that deserve to be understood through science rather than social media myths.
At 10-Eleven Nuisance Wildlife Control, we believe public education is just as important as professional wildlife management. Understanding wildlife behavior helps us make better decisions when people and animals cross paths!
Local. Licensed. Insured. Professional.
🦝 10-Eleven Nuisance Wildlife Control
🌐 www.10elevennwc.com
