The opossum is a nocturnal animal. This means that is sleeps during the day, and only comes out at night to forage or search for food. Because their eyesight is so poor, this is a natural defense mechanism for them. To be out in the day light is very dangerous because they cannot see. This means that they are at the total disposal of predators because they are fully unable to be able to see what is around them. They are literally sitting ducks.
So, what happens if you do find an opossum that is out during the day light? What does that mean exactly? Well, it may mean that the animal is sick.
It is obviously against the natural instincts of this animal to be out in the day. They can’t protect themselves, because they cannot see, so the only reason they would be out is because there is something wrong with them. This most likely means that they are sick or injured.
If this is the case, the illness or injury is likely so severe that it has caused the animal to forgo its natural instincts, and risk being outside when it is light out. It may mean the animal cannot even “think” about what it is doing, and is so far gone that it is going out in the day because it can’t stop itself from doing so. That is very bad for it.
It is also very bad for you. These animals being sick can have dangerous results for you as well. If the illness has made it so that it will defy its own natural instinct to stay hidden during day light hours, then who knows what other things it may be capable of.
There have been many documented reports of these animals attacking dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as humans when they were sick or injured. The illness can lead to extremely erratic behavior, and if you happen to get into its pathway you may be in some serious trouble.
Because these animals carry so many diseases and parasites, getting bitten or scratched by one can be incredibly dangerous to you. Not to mention, you would then be susceptible to whatever disease is making the animal ill in the first place.
The possum is normally afraid of people and will run from them, but when they are sick it is quite common for them to come right after people. If you see one that is out in the day light, it is important for you to stay away from it, and to report this to the local authorities. They will need to capture and kill the animal before the problem becomes worse.
Read more about
Opossum Control in my educational articles. My years of experience can offer the best advice on
How to Get Rid of Opossums. Learn how to identify
Opossum Feces and learn what
wildlife rehabilitators do with opossums. Find out where opossums live - in more
urban areas or wild areas. I can show you how to identify
opossum tracks and teach you why
opossums play dead. Find out about the opossum
tail and what it is used for and let you know how
big they can get. Find out the
symptoms of a sick opossum and learn where you should
relocate a trapped opossum?. Read my opinion on whether you should ever
poison an opossum, and learn if a
pest control company will remove an opossum.
Find out what to do if you come across an
orphaned baby opossum and learn about the opossum's
natural diet and
mating habits. I can even share information about whether or not it is
legal to trap an opossum.
