Are Opossums bad to encounter in the neighborhood? Do they attack like raccoons and carry a disease?

Do opossums attack like raccoons? Do they carry a disease like rabies? Do they make good pets? Can you touch / pet / feed them when they're out in the neighborhood?Are Opossums bad to encounter in the neighborhood? Do they attack like raccoons and carry a disease?
I have never heard of an opossum or even a raccoon attacking anyone, at least where I live and we see them often. Usually they are more fearful of us and will run if we approach.


They can carry rabies and other diseases and it's never wise to try to approach one or even feed them.


I don't see too many opossums but I get about 3-4 raccoons on my back patio each night trying to eat my cat's food or get into my garbage can. I've had to make sure my cats were inside in the evening and take their food in.


Opossums are not meant to be pets and it would be practically a death sentence for them if you or anyone else try to keep one as a pet, same with raccoons.Are Opossums bad to encounter in the neighborhood? Do they attack like raccoons and carry a disease?
an opossum is wildlife and it is illegal for you to be in possession of one. they hiss. do not try to turn one into a household pet as it will not work out for you. opossums are not rabies vector animals.


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鈥檚 low body temperature (94-97潞 F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum鈥檚 body.
yeah, treat them like you would a raccoon dont touch it or pet it or feed it. because if you feed it, it will most likely stay longer
they can be rabid but will usually run from people and pets. we are a much bigger threat to them than they are to us. Do not approach them however.
yes they could have rabies
Not so sure but they are pretty ugly