This was just one of the surprises that I saw in the backyard early this morning! The first was a rather large skunk looking for seeds under the bird feeder. Then 15 minutes later, an opossum.
This is a new animal for me and I have never seen Katniss so quiet at the door, viewing these critters invading her yard. Katniss was not chirping like she does when she sees birds and squirrels. Both of us may have been in shock.
Hello...my name is Opossum. I am the USA's only marsupial. I’m also nature's pest control and clean up crew. Just one of me can eat up to 5,000 ticks in a season, yet I don't contract or carry Lyme disease. Most of my kind are naturally immune to rabies, as well. If you see me out and about, kindly ignore me.
So…in five days, we have had 3 foxes, a skunk and an opossum. What will be next? Best on Black.
***To play possum is to play dead or asleep. It has been a fairly common expression since the 1880’s. It comes directly from the nocturnal possums habit of faking its own death in order to ward off predators.
@casablanca No, this is the opossum! Skunks are black with a white stripe down their back and maybe some white on the face. Don't want any anywhere near our yard with our dog out there. They would spray Trapper and, boy, does it ever stink!!
@bjywamer never heard of them! Misread the post. Sounds like an Irish possum, Mr O'Possum! Never saw a possum either. Don't have creatures like this in England. Just badgers!
Wow! What a surprise and a great shot! Fascinating how Katniss responded! And what a collection you have had in the last five days! Yes, what will be next? Please keep us posted! Fav! (P.S. thank you for the info and links about opossums!)
I have added more information for those who are interested. Thank you for the kind comments and favs. As much as I am a fan of animals, I don’t think I like all these critters roaming around in our fenced yard. We have seen signs of dug up dirt, dug up lawn and strange “gifts” in the grass. Sometimes I am up late and will go out to water or sit and Katniss wants to go with me. Sophie got sprayed by a skunk once and it was a nightmare. I would prefer them to survive but not in our yard.
@shutterbug49 When I saw the opossum tail go by I thought that must be the biggest rat tail I have ever seen! I have not seen one this close before and it wanted to come in the house! I saw it at 2am and I was wide awake until 7am before I could finally go to sleep!
@bjywamer We live in a neighborhood so all this wildlife surprises me. I do occasionally see and hear turkeys in the area. We have squirrels and birds mostly. The foxes and skunk was also a big surprise! I love animals but do not want them in my fenced backyard. That is a safe place for our kitty Katniss. :)
Wonderful photo and fascinating narrative.
I have added more information for those who are interested. Thank you for the kind comments and favs. As much as I am a fan of animals, I don’t think I like all these critters roaming around in our fenced yard. We have seen signs of dug up dirt, dug up lawn and strange “gifts” in the grass. Sometimes I am up late and will go out to water or sit and Katniss wants to go with me. Sophie got sprayed by a skunk once and it was a nightmare. I would prefer them to survive but not in our yard.