Open Your Heart and Yard to Opossums

I’ve never been a big fan of the opossum. In fact, I’ve been known to scream and carry on anytime one gets withing a yard of me.   However, thanks to an LA Times article by Lili Singer, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the grubby little marsupials. 

According to the article, opossums are actually great for your garden.  Acting as “nature’s cleanup crew,” these nocturnal  creatures make midnight snacks out of menacing insects like snails, slugs and cockroaches.  They’re also pretty fond of fallen, rotted fruit and lots of other gross things you don’t want to know about. And despite being blamed for it, Singer points out that opossums don’t dig–they leave that to the skunks and raccoons since their own little paws aren’t up to the task.

So, it seems the opossums much hated status is based on one thing: they’re really ugly.  And if they’re hissing and barring teeth, they’re even uglier.  They’re pretty harmless, though, and their weak teeth make it so they can’t really back up this big show.  Sadly, most opossums don’t even make it past their first year of life in the city due to such hazards as the family dog and snail bait.  Hows that for a thank you?

Click here to read original article.

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