Critter sighting!

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

There's currently an opossum the size of a not really all that small dog walking around on Day Street.

Comments

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

they tend to do that :)

#

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

I'm no wildlife expert but when a nocturnal animal is out during the day it could be ill, perhaps rabid. If it is out and about over a few days or it seems aggressive, animal control should be called.

[squirrelitude]

I wouldn't be too concerned. Rabies in 'possums is *extremely* rare, and it's not too unusual for them to be out and about in the daytime.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

Then there must be a huge, widespread outbreak. We saw a possum out this morning at my office in Waltham.

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

I was curious, so I looked into it before posting. As squirrelitude says, it's both remarkably unlikely for opossums to contract rabies and not unusual for them to be out and about during the day, especially in winter.

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Like I said, I'm no expert. I now have a new understanding of opossums.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Whoa. Next time you see that sucker during the day call 311 immediately and ask for animal control. opossums are nocturnal animals. It's totally not right for one to be out wandering in the day time. No good can come of that.

I think I saw that same sucker back in the summer, up on Holland. Then it was 11pm, so I wasn't as worried, except that it freaked me out that he didn't seem especially scared of me.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Huh. I see someone else saying day-time sighting are not uncommon. Weird. Wikipedia says they're nocturnal. It also adds, usefully enough:

The meat is traditionally prepared by smoking, then stewing. It is light and fine-grained, but the musk glands must be removed as part of preparation.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

According to The Joy of Cooking, it's best to capture them and feed them milk and cereal for 10 days, to improve the flavor.

[pklemica]

I'm just envisioning a massively hungover opossum munching on Beerios, now.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

It is nto all that uncommon to see opossums out in the daytime, especially this time of year. This is also true for raccoon. Unless these animals are sick, injured or in some kind of danger (hanging from a stop light, stuck/trapped some where, etc.) they should be left to go on their way.

Thank you!
April
Somerville ACO

[axedmoon.livejournal.com]

Little critter looks kinda happy there. Hope he's not causing any trouble.

[somgirl4.livejournal.com]

I've seen them here all the time for over 35 years. They've always been a part of Somerville/city living!
Great picture though. I've rarely seen one out during the day. I see them every night in the Summer.