Loathsome Species: The Virginia Opossum

[svtcontour]

I think they are pretty damn cute. All animals deserve a chance at life.

[Prinzpoldi1985]

this is great



[mamaOf520121]

There was opossum about this size on my fence last night and because it was dark my husband thought it was our cat lol he went to grab it to bring it in the house but it started hissing and growling just as a car was driving by and we seen it was an opossum I ran in to get my camera and I got some pretty awsome pictures of it.It kept is mouth open, We used the sweeper part of a broom to gently get it moving off the fence it bit at it a few times but then it jumped down and ran across the road.

[AdamNicholasSievers]

Man, do I feel stupid. When I was a kid I was taught to shoot any opossums that I saw, because I was told they could give rabies to the live stock.

[JustWaIkAway]

Dr.: those scrubs are too baggy... a couple sizes smaller next time please. Thanks.

[gioiakerlin1]

Have skunks ever been featured on Loathsome Species? I have four skunks, and they are wonderful pets. Better than ferrets for most people since they're not as nippy as some ferrets can be, and since they are fanatical users of litter boxes. They NEVER have accidents away from the boxes.

[TheOutdoorsPA]

I have endless respect for all wildlife. especially the opossum. I happen to like the way they look. Although I am a hunter and trapper. I feel that evan though all wildlife serve a huge purpose in an ecosystem, but control is needed, over population can lead to property damage, and spread of diseases. Thanks for taking time to read this, and btw the reason an opossum's lifespan is 2-4 yrs is because they are often prey or roadkill.

[nolls888]

To me their eyes and hands are the most interesting features. They are so cute. :3 I wonder if it would be okay to hide tidbits of food around the house. You know.. give her something to do, kinda like a game so she wont be bored.

[mtbrider57]

This is an awsome video about the opossum that is a professional in her field! I wish all the people in the world could see this video and know that the opossum is NOT an animal that you would just want to get rid of or just make fun of. My wife and I rescued a baby and now he is almost a year old and is a part of the family. I can't say enough good about them and our little guy has really taken to us and is really appreciative for being alive. Keep up the great work.

[MOONFACEx2]

Bwahaha there was an Opossum in my backyard and I thought it was dead. Turns out it was just messing with my head.

[9deltat]

To add on my last comment, rats would be a great subject for Loathsome Species. Rats make wonderful companions but are very misunderstood.

[9deltat]

You should do more series like this one. Great video.

[hoosierknit]

T/Y for a great video! Personally, I've always loved & had great compassion for Opossoms! Sweet animals!

[GMCman82]

@xdx82 u cant. gotta find a baby one and raise it

[redcivicsi16]

Nice video. Thank you for presenting this information.

[superhoneybunny420]

shes so cute! i want an opposum so badly!



[rydag11]

Opossums kind of creep me out, I think it's the snout and teeth

[JasperAmaranth]

She's so cute and chubby~! I LOVE opossum~ <3

[Funzies1]

Really nice video. What she didn't mention is that Opossums are one of few animals going after full grown rats. IF you are lucky enough to have your own "Resident Opossum" you will never have a rodent problem. Hope this video will help people feel a bit more kindly towards an animal that is GREAT to have in your yard.

[kiekie84]

re-edited post do to spelling "i would not have put the food on the chair without a food mat or something and i say this cuz i understand that many people think of opossums as dirty and feeding the her on the chair with food that turns into crumbs and wet food that leeks onto the chair to me looks very dirty to me and if the idea is show that opossums are not that dirty then i think feeding it on the chair does just the opposite of what your trying to do..so yeah :) but cute opossum though :D"

[nosomosnarcos]

love this video...a very thank you Dr. Karen!!!

[TrueTempleDog]

possums be awesome! Thanks for the info!

[somuchluv89]

What happened to Clara to make her partially blind? Poor thing is horribly obese..

[kt10585]

but after watching this video and some others on the youtube - I'll never do that again. And now I feel bad that I drowned that critter and threw it in a garbage bag and drove down to the stores to throw it into a dumpster. But I did seriously freak out when I caught glimpse of that wild animal fur inside that box of sugar. And I thought for about 2 or 3 hours getting my nerve up to do something and thinking what to do since the critter control service I called to handle the matter wanted $180.

[SilencedFeline]

Awww!

Clara is adorable!<33

[PapillonOne]

Thank you for taking the time to introduce Clara and especially for enlightening us about how "undangerous" these creatures are.

[mamaloochie]

a great lesson from an easy to understand expert

[mamaloochie]

We wish that you were in our area, we love the possums.

[charliemotorcycle]

Thanks for posting Karen. I always feel terrible when I see one of these laying on the side of the road. You forgot to mention that Humans are the only animals that don't fit in the ecosystem balance! 

[no1sname]

Good for you Karen!

This is definitely a message that needs to be told.

I don't wince when I think about or encounter any of the animals you listed, as a matter of fact I LOVE snakes and bats. : )

Although, I will admit I never knew even half the information you said about opossums. I had to rescue an opossum from some dogs once before it got killed and it had its mouth open hissing at me. He or she didn't want to budge at all. : P

[RandomMonster]

Are virignia opposums legal in idaho? Just curious

[eyestoC]

Yeah ! Hooray !

Thank you. Do you think you could get congress could to pass a law making viewing this clip mandatory?

I wish Hollywood would feature a major celebrity holding and respecting an opossum. Until that happens, people like you will have to fill the void...carry on !