Some cool animal images:
Sceptical owl
Image by FransBadger
Animals from Ähtäri zoo, August 2006
www.unet.fi/pics/2006-08-26-AhtariZoo/
Opossum with baby in my backyard
Image by axollot
Opossums are shy, nocturnal animals common in the suburbs. They are the only marsupial in North America. Other well known marsupials outside of N. America is the Koala and Kangaroo!
Opossums are often viewed as vicious, this is also not true. They are vicious to garden pests, roof rats, rotting fruit that's fallen from a tree, snails, slugs and roaches. They're natures little sanitation engineers. And like all wild animals - keep your distance, show respect and do not inhibit the Opossum as it's only traveling through. They are a gardeners best friend!
Question: There is an opossum in my yard. What do I do?
Answer: Nothing. Leave it alone. If it is injured or orphaned then read the “Found an Orphaned or Injured Opossum?” section. Otherwise, enjoy watching wildlife in your own backyard! Opossums are beneficial: eating the harmful, unwanted pests around your home such as snails, slugs, spiders, cockroaches, rats, mice and snakes. Think of the opossum as your free gardener. The opossum is known as “Nature’s Little Sanitation Engineer” for a good reason!
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Question: Do opossums carry rabies?
Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum’s low body temperature (94-97º F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum’s body.
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Question: Will an opossum attack my pets?
Answer: It is more likely that a dog will injure or kill an opossum. A cat may attack and kill young rat-sized opossums. Adult opossums and cats seem to have a mutual respect and leave each other alone. In general, opossums are docile, non-aggressive animals and will not attack your pets. They prefer to escape and avoid confrontations, if possible. If not, the threatened opossum may “play ‘possum”, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense, as any animal would.
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More info visit www.opossumsocietyus.org/frequently_asked_questions.htm
